Exercise 3.2: Overlay and Shadowing
Exercise 3.2: Overlay and Shadowing
This exercise corresponds with the reading on page 30.
Understanding shadow and overlap is valuable when creating successful botanical illustrations. Shadows are key to bring your illustration to life.
From the review, bring out your tonal strips. Use these for reference when working on detailed and difficult plant subjects.
For this exercise we are working with pen and paper. Pen is very useful in advancing your skills in shadows and overlays. Pen and ink also "forces" you to plan ahead. A few ideas to keep in mind while planning:
- Where your light source is coming from.
- Consideration of the overall layout. This is important because shadow and light can make up how the composition is developed.
- How layers will be rendered when working with overlays.
For this assignment find a challenging, single subject to illustrate,with multiple layers and many details. A good example is a pine cone or a pineapple. A branch with leaves, or even a rose or chrysanthemum flower can be an interesting subject for the layers of petals, too.
Either place your subject lying on a white blank area or with your other hand hold it up. Another alternative is to secure into a metal plant support, commonly referred to as a "frog." You want to focus on the subject alone. Make sure there is good light where your subject is placed, to see the detailed shadows.
Work on this illustration for at least 60 minutes. Some of this time will be the planning phase. If needed use a pencil to help plan your layout. After completion date and sign your name. If possible, on the lower right-hand corner write the scientific and common name of your subject.
