Have you ever wondered how to draw a realistic glass reflection?
Check out this step-by-step guide to learn the beginner technique in no time!

I show you an easy and fast sketching technique for product designers.

Draw Glass Reflection with These Easy Steps

I like to go to shopping malls to find plenty of design ideas for free!

Today I found a transparent Coffee Carafe
to inspire me to show you an easy way to draw glass reflections.

This coffee carafe from Lock & Lock has nothing special or innovative,
DRAWING TIP-A-DAY about: Light Reflection Drawing on Glass (for beginners)!

Let’s draw!

15 steps to Draw Glass reflection with a coffee carafe.

  1. Draw the vertical axis
  2. Set the proportions with a few rough lines
  3. Draw the profile with symmetry
  4. Draw the coffee carafe elements
  5. Spot the functional details
  6. Draw the simple light reflection
  7. Add tiny light spots
  8. Create a new carafe design!
  9. Start drawing unlimited designs!
  10. Keep drawing more.
  11. Add dark reflects
  12. Draw hatching to add depth
  13. Add light reflection in front and behind
  14. Quick hatching background
  15. BONUS: Good composition serves your message

DRAWING EASY REFLECTION ON COFFEE CARAFE

How to sketch reflection easy

Related article: How to draw a bottle (with a digital tablet)


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

1. DRAW THE VERTICAL AXIS

Draw 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 ROUGH 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 the 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.


5. SPOT THE FUNCTIONAL DETAILS

DRAW THE BOTTOM SIDE OF THE COVER
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.


6. DRAW SIMPLE LIGHT REFLECTION

DRAW LIGHT REFLECTION ON THE GLASS SURFACE
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 THEM IN SHOPPING MALLS)
ADD LITTLE SPOTLIGHTS REFLECTION (YOU CAN FIND THEM IN SHOPPING MALLS)

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

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

NOTICE THE SPOTLIGHT ON THE ROOF OF THE SHOPPING MALL
NOTICE THE SPOTLIGHT ON THE ROOF OF THE SHOPPING MALL

8. Create a new carafe design!

MAGIC: DECLINE YOUR COFFEE CARAFE FORM!
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. : )


9. Start drawing unlimited new designs!

START UNLIMITED COFFEE CARAFE 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.

FOLLOW THE EXACT SAME STEPS OF: LIGHT REFLECTION ON GLASS
FOLLOW THE EXACT SAME STEPS OF: LIGHT REFLECTION ON GLASS

Draw as many carafe forms as you wish.
Each of them is a great example of shiny surfaces.
Practice and apply light reflection.


10. KEEP DRAWING MORE!

YOU ARE UNSTOPPABLE!
YOU ARE UNSTOPPABLE!

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

GOING CRAZY WITH THE FORM
GOING CRAZY WITH THE FORM

You can go crazy with 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 REFLECTIONS OF SURROUNDING OBJECTS
ADD SOME DARK REFLECTIONS OF SURROUNDING OBJECTS

The coffee carafe is surrounded by other objects.
Simplify their reflections 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
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
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
DRAW AN HORIZONTAL LINE ALL ALONG

ADD HATCHING ON THE LEFT AND RIGHT
ADD HATCHING ON THE LEFT AND RIGHT
(BEHIND THE COFFEE CARAFE)

ON THE GLASS AREA
DISTORT THE LINE AND DRAW HATCHING FOLLOWING THAT CURVE
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
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.


BONUS TIP:
GOOD COMPOSITION SERVES YOUR MESSAGE

Drawing of Glass reflection on carafe
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.

Drawings of Adidas sneakers
A MESSY BUT DYNAMIC COMPOSITION PROMOTES YOUR PRODUCT RESEARCH
(Drawings of Adidas sneakers I made for my portfolio before I worked there! : ) )

If you want to, I can make tutorials on presentation board composition for you to raise your chances to convince your audience about 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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