This blog is devoted to my architectural sketching adventures and musings about the integration of architecture and sketching.
I hope not only to share my own on-location architectural sketches but provide tips and methodologies for sketching and understanding architecture.
Also, most importantly, I wish to explore ways in which, in a digital age, we can not only defend but
promote freehand sketching within the architectural profession.

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Why do I love Baroque architecture so much??

110908 SS Sacramento_3

Well... that is an interesting question! I love the fluidity and forcefulness, the bold 3-dimensionaltiy, adventurous complexity and all the fun games that are played with curved vs flat surfaces and all the crazy decoration. Today while tidying up my study/studio I came across a print out of a photo I took in Rome last year of a building that I didn't have the energy to sketch at the time. So I decided to have a bit of fun analysing it before I sketched.
110908 SS Sacramento_1
110908 SS Sacramento_2
So here are the exploratory sketches that I did in order to understand it. I also consulted the BEST book out there on Roman architecture. Not Built in A Day by George H Sullivan. George was my constant companion last year in Rome. I am no expert in Classical Baroque architecture so I couldn't have told you after an initial review of the facade that the broken pediment was not doing its job properly... but as soon as I read George's opinion I could see what he was talking about.

Not only do I love drawing them, but I get so much mental stimulation out of studying facades like this. I am certainly no advocate for classical architecture in our day...but I learn so much about composition, balancing of various elements, proportions and trust in Le Corb's words on the top right hand corner of this blog. I am still thinking about if some of these characteristics and principles can relate more directly to today....

but in the meantime below are some other more successful Baroque facades that I DID sketch last year when in Rome (most of these were sketched standing up on the street) and I hope you can see how much fun I was having at the time!!!!!
1001FR_01 SM Campitelli
0929WE_05 S Vinc Anastasio
0930TH_04 S Celso e Giuliano

6 comments:

  1. Hurrah!!!!! I love it!!!!! Thanks for starting this Liz, looking forward to seeing more. xx

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  2. These are amazing--you can see the quick hand here, but you capture them completely!

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  3. After see your sketching I think I will try also some baroque facades in my city of Nice in France.

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  4. thanks Issy and A Brush with Colour!
    Sebastien - hope you do...please share a link to your sketch if you do!!!!

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  5. I LOVE that blue sky color in the first drawing!!!

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  6. Great draws! I remember a long time ago when I was a young boy that I loved to draw on my free times.

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