Lesson 5: Transparency, Reflections, Shadows and the Art Of Illusion.
Transparency
When a ray of light travels from one substance into another it is often refracted.
An example of this would be when light travels from air into water.- Light travels at a constant speed within a substance as long as the substance is the same throughout.
- However, light travels at different speeds in different substances.
- Light travels more slowly in water than in air and this is the cause of refraction.
- Refraction is when the light bends at the point where it leaves one substance (air for example) and enters another (water maybe).
Please read this short explanation of refraction.
Refracted LightAgain keep it simple. The idea with art is not to make each idea a matter of scientific explanation - but - rather to understand what is going on behind the scenes and then to draw it (the effect) enough times to be conversant, intuitive and natural. So read the lil' passage......and then seek to understand it by setting yourself up a lil' refraction lab. Here are some ideas to get you started.- Place a stick in a glass of water - draw it in black and white or Monochrome.
- Place flowers in a vase that is transparent. Draw in monochrome.
- Throw a coin into a pond of clear water. Again draw in monochrome.
- If you are feeling adventurous choose one of the above and draw it in colour.
