Anna Banana
A guide to how I made an A1 still life from inception through to completion
This guide shows you my process, struggle, and resolution, through drawing, blocking in, a very ugly and lengthy messy middle, to finding a way to save this piece and a step forward
This PDF is a step by step guide to how I made an A1 acrylic still life painting.
I paint a monthly still life and this one was for April of 2026. I in fact finished it in late May.
I love the discipline of painting still life form life in natural light. I put together an attractive and inspiring set up and all should have gone smoothly. Except it didn’t.
This piece is a great example of what happens when a painting goes sideways.
I employed all the tips, tricks and process I have at my disposal and this piece refused to obey.
I was tempted to get out the gesso and paint the whole thing out but in the end I opted for a redesign and resolved a testing piece.
I am so pleased I stuck with it. It is a great lesson in perseverence.
Sometimes battling a piece into submission can lead to unexpected revelations and this one finally did.
I hope you enjoy the PDF, it is packed with tips and mindset ideas.