Ellipses and glass

During this session we worked from a still life of jars and bottles.
An ellipse is created when we see a cylindrical object in perspective.  For example, the top of a jar seen from the top is a circle.  When we look at this from the side, it becomes an ellipse.

When we drawn an ellipse, we must follow a simple mathematical principle, that each half of the ellipse should mirror the other half.  

If the Ellipse is at an angle, as shown in the jar above, we need to find the correct angle of the centre lines first..












We also looked at how to record translucent/ transparent objects, in the case, glass.  Transparent objects are objects that can be seen through, with objects the other side of the object looking very much the same as if you were looking at them on their own.  Translucent objects will cause some kind of distortion to objects seen through them - such as frosted glass, or in this case coloured glass. 

As you can see in the painting to left by Impressionist Paul Cezanne, (Still life, peppermint bottle, 1893 - 1895) the glass objects use the colours and shapes (and distortions) of the objects and surfaces behind them to create the illusion of them being glass.

The detail of the glass objects themselves is minimal, where the light hits to create reflection and shadow.  Less is more when you are attempting to re-create glass like surfaces.

We used a neutral ground, and used chalk pastels to capture the qualities of glass, very successfully!!!