Sunday, February 19, 2023

Rendering a Shiny White Cup

In his book, Color in Sketching and Rendering, Arthur Guptill says this white porcelain cup presents an ideal subject for studying the effects of light and shadow, because of it combines curved and flat surfaces.

"It is interesting to study the gradual changes in the lighting from Plane 1, which, facing the light directly, was practically white, to Plane 4, relatively much darker. Plane 5 was about the same in value as 2, receiving approximately as much light. Objects like this, showing a succession of planes, teach us that surfaces deepen in tone proportionately as they receive less light. Rounded objects often show this too." 

"This object differed from our previous ones in the quality of surface, for it was glazed. At the point market 'lightest light' it mirrored a miniature a miniature image of the window far brighter that white paper could express. Many minor reflections were evident, too some of which we have shown. You must look for such reflections when drawing smooth objects. While it is neither possible nor necessary to represent every slight variation in tone, the general character must be expressed."
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from Color in Sketching and Rendering by Arthur Guptill

1 comment:

Cristian Iancu said...

Hi James,

First of all, I wanted to take the chance to thank you for all your hard work! Your book is still the bible for color and light to me.

I wanted to ask you a question unrelated to this specific post.

I was curious to know if you have ever tried "painting" digitally. And although I do suspect the main turn-offs for that experience, I wanted to directly ask you and know for sure. Please do not hold back for a politically correct answer. There are some advantages to digital, but there are plenty of disadvantages and clunky things, as well. I know them very well because I only do digital images, for various reasons and circumstances. I would like to know your perspective on the matter if you would wish to share it with us.

Thank you!
Cristian