Refraction/Reflection

Major Work #4:
Refraction/Reflection: Colored Pencil Glass Bottles
Submitted by: Connie Jimenez, Covenant Life School

Quarter 1 Week 4:

"I don't paint things. I only paint the difference between things." - Matisse

Problem:

Using layers of colored pencil hatching, capture the complex systems of reflections and refractions that result from "looking through" glass objects.

The Student will:

• Describe the surface of objects with the direction of hatching

• Observe "funny shapes" and implied edges (vs. mere outlines)

• Layer hatching of unlikely colors to "mix" color

• Consider and employ interesting cropping and point of view for an over all dynamic composition

  Reproduction from the Colored Pencil Solution Book

Definition of Terms:

• Refraction - the action of distorting an image by viewing through a medium

• Transparent - clear focus

• Opacity (Opaque) - unclear or obscured focus

Materials:

Bristol Board, small-ish: 9"x12" (23 x 30.5 cm), Prismacolor Colored Pencils

Artists to look at:

• Janet Fish - she finds well observed "funny shapes" but her colors are mostly local

• David Hockney - Colored pencil drawings - great mixing!

• Manet's deathbed flower still life series

• 17th C. Dutch still life glass vessels - symbol of Vanitas genre, the tipped over vessels represent the literal meaning of Vanitas, "empty".

Warm-up, Prep, Pre-search

1. Demo/Drawing reminders:

   • Avoid "footballs" - points on the ends of ellipses

   • Structure of cylinders, vases, bottles

   • The direction of hatching describes the form of the object

2. Practice:

   • Mixing colors: Layer hatching with multiple colors to "mix". Experiment to find at least 5 observed colors in the glass still life.

   • At least 3 thumbnail sketches of possible compositions in your sketchbook: Move around the bottles with different combinations, background colors, and colors on the table.

• Arrange the objects as if you were blocking characters in a story - who is next to who, how far or close, etc. Also consider point of view. Is the audience looking up at the characters or looking "over the shoulder" of one?

Assessment:

1. Does the direction of hatching describe form?

2. Do shapes and edges reflect observation of "funny shapes" and implication, or simply describe outline?

3. Are colors mixed by layering hatching?

4. Is there interesting cropping and point of view for overall composition?

Resources

Links

• See this page that gives examples of cross-hatching.

• See another page from Buzzle on various colored pencil techniques.

• Practice your cross-hatching online on this web page.

Books

Colored Pencil Solution Book - Provides more than 70 specialized answers for common colored pencil dilemmas. Step-by-step mini-demos illustrate techniques and help artists apply what they've learned.

Colored Pencil Painting Bible: Techniques for Achieving Luminous Color and Ultra-Realistic Effects - In this ground-breaking book, the author reveals how new processes have been developed that are natural extensions of basic colored pencil techniques. These include layering and the proper use and advantages of the translucent properties of the medium. Includes detailed step-by-step demonstrations.