Introduction
All of us love scenes of different places and in fact, we love seeing and drawing nature of reflection in water. However, drawing a reflection on water is a tricky thing to do. In this era, there are a lot of art classes that mainly focuses on the detailed aspect of the image. Here, in this guide and step-by-step tutorial, we are going to talk and show you how to draw a reflection in water.
To do this, we have to learn a few things at first. This includes,
• How to draw foliage of mass.
• How to get a detailed idea and likeness of any scene without drawing all the other subjects in the
correct and accurate places.
• How you will be able to draw reflection in the water.
How to Draw Reflection in Water
The first thing that we need to do is to draw the background properly. To do this, we need to make it so that the background can blend perfectly and also have a balance. Right now, we have to first plot out the position of the features that are basic by using a cloth that has been already dipped in graphite powder.
This will make sure that the drawing of the light is balanced and also there are no hard edges
that will allow us to reposition or move the features around according to our liking. We have to
use the cloth and also shade the contrasts so that we can have a base for the contrast of the
image.
After that, we need to define the edges of each feature that we draw. For this, we need to use
the pen-shaped eraser that will help us define the edges of each feature that we draw. We now
have to draw the edges of the drawing to pop out the detailed edges. The things that we need
to look out for are the edges of the water, the ending and the closing of trees with details, the
trees in the foreground and the background, and so on.
After this, we need to start drawing the background trees or other things on the back. If you are
a left-handed artist, then you should start your work from the right and then gradually go to the
other side. On the other hand, if you are right-handed, then you need to go to the left and then
gradually go to the other side. Most of the time, the pencil size that I will recommend to you is a
6B pencil.
If you are starting to work,
then you should at first, draw and establish the silhouette of the
background, which is the easiest place to start? Then, if you want to take it a step further, then
you should start working on scribbling motion. You should use the lighter and darker shades
carefully so that you can follow the reference image and guide on that. The main thing to do is
immersion in the art and you should do that by working and immersing yourself in the photo.
This will also make you find your pace and increase your drawing quickly.
If possible, you should keep your reference photo parallel or aligned to the main drawing. This
will help you look at the photo on the top and give you a detailed idea of where to stroke the
brush and where to give a light sketch.
In order to draw the water and its reflection, we have to lay down and do a basic impression of
the reflections by using a dipped cloth made of graphite. Like the previous thing, this will make
sure that we roughly plot out the shapes and the outlines of the water and in turn, make it as
toned down as possible. If we want to draw the reflection of the main body of the water, we
first have to use the main area of the drawing by using the pen sharpened eraser again and then
light down the areas surrounding that. To really sink the reflections into the water, use your
pen-shaped eraser to lift out a few horizontal ripples on the water.
We will then have pretty close to the tree trunk that is half-submerged in the water so I roughly
sketch where I want it to go. We then continue to lay in the reflections on the lower part of the
water. After that, it is better to use a Q-tip or earbud, as well as the fingers, to smudge the
surface of the water. The tonal values should roughly blend into each other.
This makes the reflections appear even more out of focus which further separates them from
the actual trees or the background upon which the reflections should be based. As for the
detailed background, we roughly have to scribble in its shape. To suggest a bark effect, we then
have to scribble along the length of the tree and leave some of the paper exposed. After that,
we will then have a detailed view of the image as well as a detailed image of the reflection upon
which, the background has been drawn.
FAQ
How do water reflections work?
Reflection is when light bounces off an object and hits your eyes. If the surface is somewhat
smooth and shiny, like glass, water, or polished metal, the light will reflect at the same angle as
it hit the surface. This is called specular reflection. Diffusion reflection is when light hits an
object and reflects in lots of different directions. This mostly happens when the surface is rough
or not smooth at all.
Most of the things we see are because light from a source has reflected off it. One such good
example is that if you look at a bird, light has reflected off that bird and traveled in nearly all
directions. However, if some of that light enters your eyes, it hits the retina at the back of your
eyes. An electrical signal is passed to your brain through the neurons, and your brain interprets
the signals as an image. This is how reflections work and hit your brain.
How do you make paints look like water?
Making realistic or reflective paint is both an easy and a hard job, depending on whom you are
asking. Even though it is a bit hard for beginners, if you become an intermediate artist or a
professional, you are surely able to do realistic painting and also draw them with ease.
To begin with, you first have to paint the reflection the same color as the object. After that, once
it has dried out, you then have to take some acrylic glazing liquid and then a small amount of
white paint. This will make sure that you have a mixture of smooth flow of reflection. This will
lighten up the water in such a subtle way that you will get to have a realistic look of reflection.
Is there always a reflection on water?
It is indeed true that water is a reflective surface and as a result, it will bounce light, and hence,
you will be able to see the reflection. However, there are times when water might not have any
reflection. This is done when waters have ripples or waves, and then there will be no reflection.
This is mostly because then the water will not have a smooth surface and hence, will not be able
to reflect the light on it. Hence, water like this will not have any reflective properties.
Conclusions
There will be a time when an artist might need to draw sceneries or places where there is an
abundance of water, and you will need to draw reflections of things in the image. If you follow
our guide till now, you will definitely be able to complete the task and work on that fast. If you
have any questions regarding this topic, then please feel free to write your comment in the
comments box below. Also, you can definitely visit our previous articles where we talked about
everything from creativity to art. We hope to see you again.
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