Place the objects in a form suitable to fit your canvas. You can also choose a setting in home or nature. Set out the proper brushes and materials needed for painting. Take a moment to study the objects in your settling and notice their positions and colors. Choose an eye-line in the setting to refer to as re-creating the subject onto canvas.
With a pencil, lightly sketch the shapes on the canvas. Include patterns and contours that will be useful as an outline before applying paint.
Use a palette to mix the paints according to the colors in the setting.
Lightly begin to apply paint to the canvas. With soft brush strokes, fill in the background and cover objects outside of the central subject matter.
While dramatizing setting, keep in mind the purpose is to capture a "momento mori," a Latin phrase meaning remember you must die. The still life should emphasize the decay of the setting. The objects' presence is only temporary, and their interpretation should show fleeting value. Enhance shapes and contours where they would otherwise be simple. Darken shadows to emphasize decay.