Brass, Copper and Silver (above; colored pencil on 14x17 vellum Bristol paper) is a resplendent rendering of shiny metal vessels by Artist’s Network forums artist Lennie (user name LMP01). Colored pencil is an ideal choice of medium for this subject matter, because it offers a high degree of control, giving the artist ample opportunity to delineate all the subtle detail visible on highly reflective surfaces. In fact, when colored pencil is applied to a smooth surface such as vellum Bristol, the color can be polished with a cotton swab or with a blending pencil, not unlike polishing metal. For this reason, colored pencil is well suited for capturing the gleam of metallic objects.

Convincingly rendering reflections on a metal surface requires deliberate observation, particularly if the surface is curved, as in this composition. Carefully copying the distorted shapes on the surface creates a realistic and convincing impression of the shine and curvature of the bowls and cup. Accurate rendering of the way the local color of the surfaces affects the reflected colors indicates whether an object is brass (yellowish), copper (orangish) or silver (cool).

Drawing the elliptical shapes, such as seen in this still life, is another real challenge. In order to look correct, an ellipse must be symmetrical with its major axis perpendicular to the centerline of the object; even a minor deformation can be surprisingly distracting. Lennie handled the ellipses confidently.

There are two possible areas for improvement, both compositional. First, the apple (the texture of which is remarkably well rendered) appears squeezed uncomfortably into the lower right corner. Second the cropping of the left edge is too far from the objects while the cropping of the right edge is too close. It’s true that the artist arranged the objects so the center of gravity of the group is pleasantly off-center; but the space on the far left is a bit vacant. This lack of visual activity makes the dark upper left corner a dead zone that tempts the eye out of the picture. (Keep in mind that the right angle of each corner of a rectangular composition forms an arrow pointing out of the picture, which must be controverted.) The mouth of the brass cup is aimed out of the picture as well, creating an additional tug on the viewer’s attention toward the outside of the picture.

If the left edge were shifted halfway between the current edge and the small cup, the dead zone would be reduced. Shifting the right edge further to the right, so the apple isn’t crammed into the corner and the copper bowl isn’t tangent to the edge, would also make the composition stronger.

Except for the small compositional adjustments suggested, Brass, Copper and Silver is, almost literally, a shining example of well-rendered metallic surfaces in colored pencil.

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Click here to read about Greg Albert and his approach to critiquing.

Artwork for the Art Clinic is chosen from work posted on the Art Clinic forum, which is part of the Artists Network message board. (You must log on as a registered member to post on the Art Clinic forum.)