Project 7:Visual Experimentation. Exercise 4: An Objective Drawing

The instruction to make an ‘objective’ pencil drawing is something I haven’t done for a really long time. Years ago, all my drawing was like this, and it was nostalgic to revisit this way of drawing, and quite satisfying to produce. I chose a pair of spectacles as my subject. 

I used different ways of making marks to try to convey the different textures of the reflective yet transparent lenses, the plastic frame and the softer shadows (not sure that shadows have a texture as such, but these shadows had a softness about them in contrast to the hard plastic texture of the glasses). I was interested in the way the lenses reflected light but also had an effect on the shapes of the shadows, and the way that the arms of the glasses had a slightly shiny surface. I tried to convey these things by extending marks and white areas ‘on’ the lenses in order to clarify that they sit above the folded arms of the glasses, which are below, resting on the paper.

I’m not sure that calling this an objective drawing is appropriate as it suggests that I am seeing the item objectively, which is impossible. Other people could draw the same item in a realistic style and create very different outcomes because we all see the world and process our understanding of it differently. What I can say is that this drawing is my best attempt to convey the way these glasses appeared to me.