Acrylic on canvas board, 1972.

The reflection and refraction of light plays the central role in this study. The glass lens obviously does both. The metal compass reflects in certain ways depending on the smoothness of its surface. The polished wood of the clock has a sheen due to the way it reflects. Of course, shadows and highlights are everywhere.

Painting in a realistic style requires that you pay close attention to these various aspects of the behaviour of light. There is the faintest hint of surrealism in this work, but the intent is more whimsical than serious.