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Easy reflection drawing on coffee carafe

How to Sketch an Easy Reflection Drawing | Beginner level

DRAWING TIP-A-DAY CHALLENGE 13/30
Related article: How to draw a bottle (with a digital tablet)

How about you?

I have friends who go shopping only when
they have something specific to buy.

For me, I like to go there to find plenty of design ideas for free!
Today I found a Coffee Carafe to inspire me to show you an easy way to draw reflection.

DESIGNER TIP:
When you find a cool product you like, take it in pictures!
You will build daily your personal library of inspiration.
Being a Product Designer is a 24/24 inspiration journey! 🙂

DRAWING EASY REFLECTION ON COFFEE CARAFE

This is how on a weekend,
I’m chilling at Lock & Lock shop and found this coffee carafe.

This coffee carafe has nothing special nor innovative, but it is perfect to illustrate our DRAWING TIP-A-DAY about: Light Reflection Drawing on Glass (for beginners)!

So prepare a coffee cup, and let’s draw!

How to Draw Reflection on Glass

A step-by-step beginner tutorial

Coffee carafe in shop
Let’s draw this shiny Cafe Carafe | Beginner light reflection tutorial

1. DRAW THE VERTICAL AXIS

Vertical axis
DRAW THE VERTICAL AXIS (SYMMETRY AXIS)

The body of the carafe is symmetrical.
Start with a vertical axis to use as a symmetry axis.

2. SET THE PROPORTION WITH A FEW LINES

SET THE PROPORTION WITH VERTICAL AND HORIZONTAL LINES

Spot the main dimension of the carafe adding these lines.
It helps to visualize the main form in proportion.

3. DRAW THE PROFILE WITH SYMMETRY

DRAW THE PROFILE WITH SYMMETRY

Draw the profile on the left, then try to replicate it “in mirror”.
If your curves are not accurate, do not hesitate to iterate if needed (Like I did)

4. DRAW THE COFFEE CARAFE ELEMENTS

DRAW THE ELEMENTS AND DETAILS
(THE SPOUT, THE HANDLE, THE COVER, AND THE PLUG)

Now you have the main body of the carafe, you can spend time on the “attached elements” and details.

KEY DRAWING RULE: NEVER START YOUR SKETCH WITH A DETAIL. For example, imagine you draw a house, you won’t start with the door handle. But the basement, the structure, the walls, the windows, doors then only the small elements and decorative such as curtains and flowers.

5. SPOT THE FUNCTIONAL DETAILS

DRAW THE BOTTOM SIDE OF THE COVER
(BEHIND THE GLASS SURFACE)

Be attentive to details.
The cover has a bottom side behind the glass.
As a beginner, we may miss this part. Do not only draw what you see.

KEY DRAWING RULE: Understanding the functions of each element will upgrade you from “copy a drawing” to “Design a product”.

6. DRAW SIMPLE LIGHT REFLECTION

DRAW LIGHT REFLECTION ON THE GLASS SURFACE

Make the blank surface for the light reflects the most simple and smooth as possible.
Draw following the curves of the glass surface to create more 3D volume.

Can you already feel the shiny surface? : )

7. ADD TINY SPOTLIGHTS

ADD LITTLE SPOTLIGHTS REFLECTION (YOU CAN FIND IN SHOPPING MALL)

The spotlights give a magic feel to the environment.
It’s a good idea to play with them.

In real life, they make any glass or shiny products more attractive.

NOTICE THE SPOT LIGHT ON THE ROOF OF THE SHOPPING MALL

8. Create a new carafe design!

MAGIC: DECLINE YOUR COFFEE CARAFE FORM!

To carry on practicing, apply the same sketching strategy you’ve learned to the new carafe!

The only difference between both is the twist on the proportion and profile shape. I also adapted the form of the handle.

All other steps are exactly the same. : )

KEY DRAWING RULE: “Learn how to fish.”
Can you feel how it is cool to learn drawing strategies?
That’s your best shortcut to gain your creative independence and to become a professional product designer.

9. Start drawing unlimited new designs!

START UNLIMITED COFFEE CARAFE DESIGNS!

All these carafes have in common to be symmetrical for the body like a bottle.
If you draw on a graphic digital tablet, you can use some practical tools to help you make your sketch neater.

DIGITAL TIP: Use the Symmetry axis tool of Sketchbook Pro software.
FOLLOW THE EXACT SAME STEPS OF: LIGHT REFLECTION ON GLASS

Draw as many carafe forms as you wish.
They are each of them all great examples of shiny surfaces.
Practice and apply light reflection on.

10. KEEP DRAWING MORE!

YOU ARE UNSTOPPABLE!

Keep drawing more and more coffee carafe.
It’s literally an addictive sketching game. 🙂

GOING CRAZY WITH THE FORM

You can go crazy on your designs!
I thought to draw it like an art sculpture.
It may not be that functional though.

Whatever, I had fun drawing it! : )

11. Draw dark reflects of objects

ADD SOME DARK REFLECTION OF SURROUNDING OBJECTS

The coffee carafe is surrounded by other objects.
Simplify theirs reflects with some dark (zig-zag) lines where the carafe is the curviest.

12. Draw hatching for depth

ADD IN SOME HATCHING SIDE A LIGHT REFLECTION
(MAKE SURE IT DOESN’T COVER THAT WHITE ZONE)

13. Light reflection in front and behind

YOU CAN APPLY THE OBJECT REFLECTION ON THE FRONT AND BACK SURFACE

TIP: Draw the light reflection on the front, and also the back surface of the transparent object

Quick Hatching Background

To enhance the glass reflection, we add a distorted background behind the coffee carafe.

DRAW AN HORIZONTAL LINE ALL ALONG
ADD HATCHING ON THE LEFT AND RIGHT
(BEHIND THE COFFEE CARAFE)
ON THE GLASS AREA
DISTORT THE LINE AND DRAW HATCHING FOLLOWING THAT CURVE

BONUS TIP:
BRING YOUR DRAWINGS TO LIFE!

THE LITTLE STEAM BRINGS ANIMATION

You have total creativity on that.
Here is a coffee carafe to heat the drink.
Let’s add some steam to give it a cartoon touch.

I could have drawn some coffee beans and liquid inside the carafes.
Make your board interesting and attractive with some “contextual illustrations”.

These extra details will retain your audience, and give them a warm feel.

NOTE: Make sure these extra “props” do not distract from your design.
They should be on your board to support your product.l

BONUS TIP:
GOOD COMPOSITION SERVES YOUR MESSAGE

TRY TO HAVE A NICE COMPOSITION
IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE NEAT THAT WAY. BE CREATIVE!

When you choose your composition, think first about what message or feeling you want to communicate.

A board with side by side products invites the user to make a selection.
A MESSY BUT DYNAMIC COMPOSITION PROMOTE YOUR PRODUCT RESEARCH
(Drawings of Adidas sneakers I made for my portfolio before I worked there! : ) )
A board with messy sketches invites to explore some research and appreciate the quality and style of the artist or designer.

If you want to, I can make tutorials on presentation board composition for you to raise your chances to convince your audience for your student projects, portfolio, degree, or job.

The original quote:
“Give a Man a Fish, and You Feed Him for a Day.
Teach a Man To Fish, and You Feed Him for a Lifetime”
– Unknown author

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About The Author

Chou-Tac

Hello! My name is Chou-Tac. I am a Product Designer from France. If the sketching methods I’ve acquired aid me in my life and in my industrial design career, I believe that they can also help you reach your design goal as a student or professional. My aim to help you all along with your design projects and journey. Anytime, feel free to leave a comment in the blog or send me an email at choutac@thedesignsketchbook.com : )

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