Session 1 : Gemstone coloring part one
About This Class
In this class, you will learn how to render faceted gems in various shapes. You will understand how light works with gemstone, so that you know how light creates bright and dark spots and shadow, not only memorizing step-by-step rendering technique. Once this is understood, you will be able to apply the rendering principal onto different condition such as gemstone in rotated angle, rendering on various colors of paper (black/grey/other color), how we should paint differently depending on the light source changes its direction.
Session 2 : Gemstone coloring part two
About This Class
If you already know the basic concept of faceted stone painting, we can go further. The larger the gemstone gets, the more detail we need to illustrate to give it more realistic appearance. In the same way, we can skip some rendering process for the tiny gemstone and render quickly but still looking brilliant enough. Those tiny stones are often used for 'pave', a setting of precious stones placed together tightly, and you will learn how to place pave and drawing tips for it. We will also go over how to draw/color angled gemstone. Sometimes, you might want to illustrate other than front view of gemstone. It can be angled when stones going over the back of neck or placed on 3 dimensional surface.
- illustrating emerald, scissor and baguette cut gemstone
- faceted gemstone at various angles with bezel or prongs
- pave stone placement and coloring
Session 3 : Jewelry layout and sketching
About This Class
In this class you will get tips on how to approach to the creative process with considering realistic execution of the final pieces. I will also share sketching know-how that I achieved from professional experiences as a jewelry designer in this industry.
- Common mistakes in jewelry design
- useful tips for the brainstorming of the concept to make the final sketch
- what type of layout you want to choose for your concept
- how to make a layout for necklace, earrings, ring, bracelet with a given stone, then develop the idea
- what makes visual interest and esthetic attraction of jewelry
Session 4 : Metal painting
About This Class
In this class you will learn how to illustrate polished/matte metal in various color
- Understanding how appearance of metal looks by studying basic metal forms
- Illustrating various types metal from the simple shapes such as flat/round surface, sphere, cube, thin wire to more complicated forms like prongs, chain, stud, ring shank and organic forms
- Learning the appropriate colors needed for each different metal : silver/white gold, yellow gold and pink gold
- How to efficiently illustrate the difference between polished and matte finishing metal
- Going over different types of setting for gems, and apply metal rendering technique onto each setting
Session 5 : Mechanical drawing
About This Class
Mechanical drawing is essential skill to demonstrate detail of your creation in each different view: top/front/side. This mechanical drawing can supply the jeweler or client a precise graphic description of the ring's detail.
- Understanding basic concept of mechanical drawing with examples of various ring shapes in Rhino 3D CAD views
- Practicing mechanical drawing from some simple rings to more complicated rings.
- Mechanical drawing for earrings
Session 6 : Quick sketch & vellum technique
About This Class
For many cases, jewelry designers are required to render the concept in short time in order to communicate with a jeweler/client or just for developing his own idea. No need to always make heavy and detailed renderings. In this class, you will learn how effectively present your idea without spending too much time.
- blue paper technique for diamond dominant design
- easy vellum technique with marker and white pen for two-way appearance
- 30 second painting for gemstone and pearl
Session 7 : Perspective drawing part one
About This Class
We will go over what perspective drawing is by illustrating basic forms and simple jewelry examples, then practice some simple ring designs together step-by-step.
- what is the perspective drawing and how we can apply for jewelry design
- how object looks differently depending on the number of vanishing point
- Illustration for three-quarter view of various rings'
- guessing how perspective drawing would look from the single view of jewelry picture
Session 8 : Perspective drawing part two
About This Class
We will practice more complicated rings including engagement rings and cuff bracelets together step-by-step, so that later you can apply the technique onto your own creation. You will also learn various options of the appearance of objects in space depending upon the angle at which they are viewed, then choose the viewpoint that best exposed the predominant features of the ring.
- learning the difference between one-point perspective and two-point perspective drawing
- Trying 3 different approaches for ring perspective drawing and find what works best for you
- Step-by-step practice for a solitaire ring, an engagement ring with side stones, a large cocktail ring, a ring with split shank and a bypass ring
Session 9 : Cabochon stones & pearl painting
About This Class
In this class, you will learn how to paint various kinds of cabochons and pearls. Cabochon is asmooth domed round or oval shape gem, including not only single color gem like ruby/sapphire/emerald but also multi-colored like opal, lapis lazuli, malachite and onyx. As for the pearl, there are variety in colors and shapes like white, yellow, black, also organic shape pearl, called baroque pearl. I will give you tips and what you need to keep in mind when you design pearl jewelry, what is different from designing jewelry with gemstone or other material.
- demonstration of cabochons and pearls
- color blending technique, adding patterns onto stone
- Pearl strand sketching tips
- quick drawing for pearl jewelry using marker and color pencil
Session 10 : Completion of your design
About This Class
Everyone supposed to bring their homeworks during the whole session, and I will help each one to enhance their drawing. There will be homeworks after each session. Each one is supposed to have at least 5 completed renderings if homeworks has been completed each time.
- demonstration for any specific subject requested by students
- reviewing homeworks giving feedback
- giving tips on how to build your portfolio