Lesson on Drawing Reflected Light on a Spheroid

How to Make a Sphere Look Three Dimensional With Shading Techniques

Aug 26, 2009 Rachel Wills

Reflected light is a subtle phenomenon that occurs when light is reflected back upon the shaded side of an object. The spheroid provides a simple subject for exercise.

Students who are embarking upon shading techniques will find the spherical object to be a satisfying and simple form from which to develop their drawing skills. Reflected light is often unperceivable because its effects are often very subtle. However, it is the subtle observations that make a drawing look effective.

Shading Reflected Light Using a Spherical Object

Objects rarely consist of merely a dark side and a light side. Reflected light can be seen within shadow and shading within highlighted areas. In its simplest form, reflected light can be seen on spherical objects such as the moon. To see reflected light in its purest form, the object must be uniform in colour. For this reason, a study in monotone is likely to form a good starting point before trying different colours.

Resources for a Drawing Exercise

A basic drawing kit will be required including a compass. Any medium can be used, so long as it consists of one colour: red, blue or grey can be used. If the study is to be completed in black and white, soft pencils no harder than 2B serve best. Other pencils that can be used are watercolour pencils and Aquatint. These are soft pencils, which have high tinting strength. For students wishing to progress, water may be added to the watercolour pencils or the aquatint in order to explore the different ways that reflected light can be expressed. Good quality paper, such as Daler-Rowney or Winsor & Newton around 300 grams per square inch (gsm) is less likely to buckle if water is introduced. Some paper, such as cold pressed (or not) provide different textures.

Subject Matter for Shading Technique with Pencils

Fruit or balls are ideal for this exercise, but the object must be smooth and consist of mostly one colour. Placing the spheroid onto a sheet of paper will magnify the effect of reflected light. The drawing can be completed in the following stages:

Using the compass, draw a large circle in the centre of the page
Arrange the spheroid in front, ensuring the light is coming from one side
Divide the object into five areas of tone: highlight, light, mid-tone, dark and reflected light.
Half close the eyes and observe the arrangement of these five areas of tone (see key illustration for guidance)
Record the tonal areas as they appear, paying special attention to the reflected light
Gently shade the background in order to bring out the highlight
Carefully draw the object’s shadow across the paper in order to give the drawing a sense of space

Expressing Light, Shadow and Reflected Light with Pencils

Students who find difficulty with drawing might need guidance with shading. The following pointers might help:

Work the pencil lightly in one direction, avoiding the dot of highlight altogether. Keep looking at the object, working gradually darker.
The darkest area of the spheroid will be at a point approximately three quarters across the object from where the light is coming before the effects of the reflected light can be seen and the tone becomes lighter again
Stand back periodically from the drawing, looking for any jarring dividing lines of tone and eliminate them by careful shading

Differentiation for Art Students

Students with needs can practice this exercise as many times as they wish with different mediums and colours. Those wishing to progress may explore the effects of reflected light on more complex objects such as ornaments. Differentiation is likely to keep art students motivated whilst perfecting this exercise.

Exploring Reflected Light by Sketching a Spheroid

Reflected light occurs when light is reflected back onto an object’s dark side. Sensitive observation of reflected light will help students create three-dimensional effects via shading with graphite or watercolour pencils. Monochromatic objects should be used initially in order to observe reflected light in its purest form, before progressing onto multicoloured and more complex objects.

The copyright of the article Lesson on Drawing Reflected Light on a Spheroid in Arts Education is owned by Rachel Wills. Permission to republish Lesson on Drawing Reflected Light on a Spheroid in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Drawing of Reflected Light on a Spheroid	Close up View of Reflected Light	A Selection of Drawing Materials
Watercolour of Tankard with Reflected Light	Sketch of Apple With Reflected Light