I'm working on a project that is a portrait, (graphite) and need to know if there is a trick to drawing glasses.

Does anyone know where to find instruction on glasses or if there is anything special I should know? Does Brenda have a lesson on it?

I tried it once before, and ended up with really dark black frames even though I used a light touch.

Thanks.

I treat drawing spectacles as I would any other reflective object. Whether you are drawing water, metal or glass, the same techniques are used in careful observation of lights and darks.

There are as many frames for glasses as there are people who wear them and the darkness of the frame will be indicated in your drawing. However, that darkness is a reflective surface and in most cases will be lightened by the areas of light reflecting off the surface. The same holds true for the lenses themselves. They are pieces of glass and have both reflective surfaces and are transparent. That transparency can also distort what is behind the lens. The lenses and frames also cause some shadowing on the face too sometimes, so be aware of that when you are observing the subject.

So my answer to your question would be to carefully observe the subject and draw just what you see in terms of light and dark. Of course you don't want the spectacles to become the focus point of the portrait unless they truly are the character of the client, so keep them subdued where possible, with a light touch, but keeping true to the differing tones that they represent.

Here are a couple of images of people I have drawn wearing glasses that may help. The first is a sketch and the glasses in it were dark with little light reflection. The second were lighter metal frames that show reflected sections more clearly.

[attachmentid=953] [attachmentid=954]

Wow, awesome drawings. Maybe someday I'll get that good.

I forgot to ask another question, when drawing glasses, sometimes there is a glare on the actual lens causing a line to show across the glass part of the lens. (did I explain that right?) Just like when you draw a drinking glass there are white lines of reflected light on the glass itself.

Do you draw that reflective line? or do you just omit it. Seems like it would detract from the picture if you drew it in.

Yes, I know just what you mean and yes you would draw it.

It doesn't detract but adds to the realism of the piece.

I agree , it should be added to the drawing , most glasses have a glare , people tend not to draw the glare because it really is not easy to get it right . good luck .
Mark