Arch 3 WFWXY-1

Rendering Water Surfaces

In rendering water surfaces, here are two things to remember: (a) water surfaces are reflective; and (b)
dont overdo rendering them. Depending on the condition of the surface it can be ver still so as to be
glass and mirror!li"e, or agitated and rippled so that the surface is divided into smaller surfaces whose
edges diffuse the reflection, leaving out much detail, and creating wav and flowing shapes of color. #ere
are some tips:
$. %ater is often blue. %h& 'ecause it reflects the s" which is often blue but not alwas. (o if the
s" is pin" or some other color, or ad)acent ob)ects are reflected on the water surface, then use the
reflected colors.
*. In plotting reflections of ob)ects around the edge of a bod of water, "eep in mind that the height
above the water level of the ground on which the ob)ects rest should be e+ual to the vertical
dimension,distance of the reflection on the water surface. (tart the reflection at the level where the
water would be below the ob)ect if it (the water) is e-tended to meet the ob)ect. In .onets painting
below, however, the artist elongated the reflections on the water.
/igure $. The Bridge of Argenteuil, 0laude .onet ($123)
4. 5s ou loo" directl down towards the area of the water surface near the viewer (at the foreground)
its li"el oud see the dar" colors of the depths. 5s ou loo" towards the hori6on, the angle of view
between our line of sight and the level plane of the water becomes more obli+ue such that the water
surface will show more of the reflected s" and ob)ects along the water edge.
3. Do not overdo it. (implif the reflections and )ust allow the colors to diffuse shapes especiall in
rippled water surfaces. %av stro"es (with a blunt point mar"er), roughl ma"ing out the shape of
what is reflected, will often be sufficient. 5dding too much detail on the reflected images will draw
attention awa from the focus of our perspective. 0hec" out the treatment of water surfaces in
paintings of the /rench Impressionist 0laude .onet. (ee /igures $ and *.
7. 8he rippling effect in reflections should get smaller as the water recedes into the distance. 8his will
create a sense of depth in perspective. 5gain refer to .onets paintings.
/igure *. Bain la Grenouillre, 0laude .onet ($19:)
ROY
January 11, 2014