Carlene Lit with Gobo

September 29 2006

For this pose we set up an ellipsoidal spotlight with a foliage pattern gobo. The shadow cast by the gobo superimposed an interesting pattern on the models form.

Charcoal, white pencil , white and black paint markers on toned paper.

Note: An ellipsoidal spotlight is a common stage lighting instrument. It has a powerful lamp and ellipsoidal reflector at one end and an adjustable lens or lenses at the other. These allow the emitted light to be focused. Ellipsoidals are also useful in figure drawing studios. Their focused light enables artists to work from the shadow side of the model without being exposed to glare.

A gobo is a metal cutout that is designed to be inserted into the ellipsoidal's barrel. It "GO"es "B"etween the lamp and the lens, hence the name. They come in many patterns and are used to simulate weather, cast shadows or to create abstract effects.