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The artist struggling whith ellipses in a still life may end up with a painting dotted with doughnut-like formations that are supposed to represent the rims of cylindrical vessels.<\/em><\/p>\n Some ellipses appear lop-sided, others look like UFOs. In several cases, the ellipses appear to inhabit a different space<\/strong> to that of the vessel concerned.<\/em><\/p>\n How can the artist overcome the problem of painting ellipses on objects?<\/em><\/p>\n The still life artist may find painting ellipses difficult to avoid, as many household objects contain ellipses. The list is endless: vases, teacups, teapots, mugs, urns, saucers, eggcups, tankards, dishes, pots, pipes, cake tins, wine glasses and bottles.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n This can be a headache for the artist wishing to steer clear of such elements. But the hurdle of drawing ellipses is a common one which can be overcome. Before making improvements, the following practices need to be addressed, including the most common issue, giving the ellipse corners<\/strong>.<\/em><\/p>\n Drawing the ellipse asymmetrically. The ellipse might slant to one side resulting in a tear-shaped ellipse.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Another common mistake is illustrating the rim of the vessel as a single line without suggesting any depth to the rim depicted.<\/em><\/p>\n Rendering dark lines around the ellipse, even though lines cannot always be discerned on areas on the actual rim.<\/em><\/p>\n Failing to accord the base of the cylindrical object with the rim at the top, resulting in a vessel that appears to inhabit two areas of space at the same time.<\/strong> A common example is drawing the base of the cylinder as a straight line, and the ellipse at the top as an ovoid.<\/em><\/p>\n