Burn Out. Documenting Time
Week 2 | #oneperday2022 | Images 1-5
The documentation of a tea light candle coming to the end of its life. Titling this series of work 'Burn Out'', is my representation of how a person can work so hard yet burn out in the end if not careful.
Process of a candle burning out
Image 1
Media -
Derwent Pastel Pencils (12 pack), Staedtler Mars Lumograph (6 pack), drawn on sketchbook paper, eraser
Technique -
Circulism and hatching pencil on paper
Process -
Placing the candle on a bench in my kitchen, the only light source coming from the window. I started by lightly sketching out the overall shape and minor details using Mars Lumograph (HB). Next, I shaded in the thin metal cup that frames the rest of the wax, working from the lightest Mars Lumograph (HB) to the darkest (8B). The hard red wax primarily used Cadium Red, Spectrum Orange, and Violet for the colouring, Titanium White was used as a blending source and for highlights. Carbon Black was used to emphasise the inside edging of the tin. Using the Mars Lumograph pencils to showcase what the shadows jumping onto the bench from the candle would have been.
What worked -
I believe the general mix and contrast of using coloured pencils and graphite pencils worked well, creating a sense of emphasis and contrast.
Image 2
Media -
Derwent Pastel Pencils (12 pack), Staedtler Mars Lumograph (6 pack), drawn on sketchbook paper, eraser
Technique -
Circulism and hatching pencil on paper
Process -
A few minutes after the candle has been lit. Starting with the initial sketch using the Mars Lumograph (HB). Moving to the darker shades of the Lumograph pack to emphasise on the darker shadows around the small metal tin cup. From the flame being lit, warmth in the colour of the wax was now known. Introducing ‘Process Yellow’ and ‘Yellow Ochre’ into the colour palette from image 1 to reflect the tea light. The flame was interesting to draw, it was simple in technique of using yellow and orange hues around the edge to create effect. Finishing with the shadows around the tea light using the Mars Lumograph pack. Tidying up edges by erasing any smudging.
What worked -
The overall effect of the warm wax was used nicely, I feel that the image is starting to come alive.
What could be better -
I felt the shading of the graphite pencils felt a bit rushed, as well as the edging still needs some practice to be neat.
Image 3
Media -
Derwent Pastel Pencils (12 pack), Staedtler Mars Lumograph (6 pack), drawn on sketchbook paper, eraser
Technique -
Circulism and hatching pencil on paper. Light smudging with finger.
Process -
The wax has now melted, but not fully to the edge of the tin. The technique of sketching and moving through the spectrum of Mars Lumograph pencils to draw the tin has stuck. Trying to attain the rich red melted wax of the candle was difficult to achieve, I found that smudging the ‘Cadium red’ with ‘Spectrum Orange’ together, with a lot of lines of white created a great light and reflection effect. Still using the main colour palette of the previous images, stepping away from Carbon Black around the edges of the wax, to more Violet and Sepia tones. The flame at this point had shortened, introducing touches of Cyan in the mix. Finishing with the shadow technique and final touch ups with the eraser around the candle.
What worked -
Emphasis and smudging of white really represented the wet wax well.
What could be better -
The flame itself felt looking a bit flat in comparison to image 2.
Image 4
Media -
Derwent Pastel Pencils (12 pack), Staedtler Mars Lumograph (6 pack), drawn on sketchbook paper, eraser
Technique -
Circulism and hatching pencil on paper
Process -
The wax is now fully melted and getting low. The techniques used in this image where generally used a lot less in the previous ones. The shading and tin are all only lightly touched upon. Drawing the metal tab that the wick is secured to was a challenge, its reflectivity and texture was interesting to inspect, as it wasn’t till I started drawing it that I could see all the elements that where going on. Using Titanium white and Process yellow really helped sell the melted wax by relying on the reflections to show the level.
What worked -
The highlights (White) that where blended in with the red wax really sold the melted wax effect. The pink glow that is present on the inner edge of the tin creates a nice warm feel.
What could be better -
I felt the overall tin and edging of the candle where a bit lost in this image, would have been good to spend more time on these areas.
Image 5
Media -
Derwent Pastel Pencils (12 pack), Staedtler Mars Lumograph (6 pack), drawn on sketchbook paper, eraser
Technique -
Circulism and hatching pencil on paper
Process -
The final step really drew upon the techniques from the first image. The candle has just gone out at this point and the warmth from the flame is no longer there. Going back to using cooler hues and intense shading to emphasise the natural light source. Smudging was really used to try and show the smoke stream, using 'Titanium white' and 'black'. The wax that is still left over, is still melted at this point. Using a lot of purple and brown to add the extra depth that cant be achieved with reflection.
What worked -
The graphite shading was achieved really well.
What could be better -
It was difficult trying to achieve the smoke stream without making it look like a hard object in the centre of the candle, could have used more white and less black maybe.
