STUDIO LAB : LIGHT AND SURFACE INTERACTION – WEEK 3

Date : 24/01/2020

With every new class an initiation to a new spectrum of something which was associated with light and its surfaces was introduced and this time it was ‘TEXTURES’. Textures are appearance of surfaces or characteristics of the surface which can be sensed visually and through touch. Through textures a space can have a variety of boards to look at and invests in the visual interest of a space. Textures are usually smooth, glossy, matt, rough, hard, soft, etc and such results can be created by using paints and materials. Texture also engages the viewer. They are classified into two sets of textures namely:

1. VISUAL TEXTURE – Visual textures are textures which create an impression through visionary senses which is recognised by humans (observer).
2. TACTILE TEXTURE – Tactile textures are stimulated by touching tangible objects or by the feeling the surface.

Textures going further also affects a number of aspects when it is dealing with the space or an object in it. But how do these textures have anything to do with light? Since the textures have to be used to a limited scale and it not only is the aspect that completes a space. It has objects and a few colours to be harmonised with.

We saw how textures affects the visual size of the space. One example we saw in class was furniture with heavy or rough textures end up absorbing more light but furnishings with smooth surfaces reflects more light than the rough ones which creates an illusion of an expanded space.

Texture also affects colour. Because of the colour on the surface the light is either absorbed or reflected. A smooth surface reflects more light as it is reflected in a linear direction making the surface lighter and at the same time impacting the space. On the rough surface it absorbs more light when it hits the surface and scatters in all directions leading to shadows making shadows and eventually creates a dark surface.

The third was applying texture to smooth surfaces. An accent piece of painting and faux finishes can be used to give an embossed or a three dimensional look on a flat surface. We further discussed methods of painting which are used to give a texture look on the wall. Some of them which I have come across are stones, sponges and faux finishes include marble

After learning a few points on these we did a small exercise relating to it. Words which describe the texture of the following objects:

1. velvet – soft and smooth
2. glass – shiny and hard
3. satin – silky, smooth and shiny
4. sandpaper – grainy, rough
5. a pleated lamp shade – is not a smooth surface
6. a knitted blanket – unanimous’
7. bricks – rough and porus

How do materials transmit light? It can be again classified into three types when they do transmit light:

1. TRANSPARENT – Transparent objects allow light to pass through it without any disturbance or obstruction in its path of transmission. Thus, it makes it obvious and possible for us to see light through transparent objects. Glass, water, diamond, uncoloured plastic, eye lenses are a few examples which favour the features of transparency.
2. TRANSLUCENT – Translucent materials are partially transparent but to some extent they do scatter light and it does get layed out in different directions. When they are partially transparent it means that we can see light pass through it but cannot see clearly through them. Thin sheet of plastic bags, cellophane coloured paper are a few examples of translucent objects.
3. OPAQUE – Opaque materials rigidly do not allow any light to pass through it because they do not reflect or neither does it let light absorb in it. Brick, stones, clothes, wooden tables are a few examples of opaque objects.