For this exercise we were asked to compose an image using 2 objects with reflective surfaces. This doesn’t sound all that difficult until you start walking round the house looking for objects to draw. I can count on one hand the number of things we have in the house with truly shiny reflective surfaces. I’m all for shiny chrome appliances but Dawn isn’t a fan and, knowing who’s boss, ‘mI happy to bow to her better judgement. I eventually settled on a nice little ceramic bowl that I like to use for balsamic and oil — I love nice fresh bread dipped in oil and balsamic. Can you tell I’m still on the doctor mandated diet? So very hungry. The other item I selected was a can of fixative; this did have a nice chrome finish and all the associated mental reflections. As I’ve done with all the previous exercises, I began in my sketchbook. I first did a very quick layout in pencil, working fast, and mapping out where the big block of tone would go.
After doing this I thought that a little bit of research about the physics and physical properties of light would do me no harm whatsoever. I found this web site really interesting https://www.handprint.com/HP/WCL/color11.html#dominance In particular I found the part about the Bartleson Brenneman effect very relevant — how the values directly next to another affect the perceived lightness or darkness. Another thing I found was this excellent image explaining what and where all the different shadows and highlights are to be found when an object is lit from one direction.
I’ve seen things like this before but have never truly engaged with the science, happy to rely on my eyes. But having a lay man’s knowledge of the fundamental principles can only inform what I see. I did a rough sketch of the bowl and tried to label all the major points.
Now it was time to step up to a large piece of paper and have a good look at a composition. Using vine charcoal and a putty rubber, I began by blocking in the shapes and the main areas of shadow —safe in the knowledge that I could always knock the value back with the rubber. This drawing isn’t very successful; I have failed to bring the necessary reflection to bring the things to life and 3 dimensions. That being said, the bowl is somewhat more successful than the can.
With a slightly deflated attitude, I determined I would have some fun. I received a tube of Nitram liquid charcoal for Christmas and this seemed the ideal opportunity to give it a run out. It’s tremendously odd stuff and has properties of charcoal powder, watercolour paint and diluted Indian ink. It goes on the page like paint but dries like charcoal, meaning you can go in with an eraser after it’s dried and push the values around. I like this little drawing, I had so much fun doing it, learning how a somehow familiar but still new medium works. This ‘paint’ will definitely be coming with me when I’m traveling as it easier to control than ink and you can get so many values quickly. (Will it work with a water brush? I must experiment).
So another exercise done and assignment one on the horizon. I’m really looking forward to taking everything I’ve learned over the last few months and trying to put them into play in a single piece. I’ve been thinking about the objects I’ll choose and will let you all know in the next thrilling instalment of Ian’s BA Drawing learning log. Tune in next time, same bat time, same bat channel.
I’m off for a lie down and a worry about my impending colonoscopy.
Happy scribbling.
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