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.

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Sub_urban Sketching: Draw the roof first


I have been trying all year to post to this blog more regularly… but I am determined to do so from now on….(yah! really! I hear you say!)  I have also found than now I live and work in the heart of Sydney suburbia that I have been somewhat uninspired architecturally. I thrive on being in city centres- being surrounded by big / important buildings and the pulse of the city streets. I have had great plans of posts that I want to do here on important aspects of sketching architecture… but 'planned posts' rarely seem to happen! I am a 'respond to the moment' kinda girl. So lets make some sketching architecture moments!

So anyway… a new idea this week… I am going start drawing the buildings of the exciting north western Sydney suburbs that I live in and at the same time share tips as I come across various issues. They will be fairly random and conversational… but I hope that if I do it regularly it will develop into a real series and motivate me to become a little more systematic. I am very keen to have you ask questions that I can answer the next time I am out sketching. Lets start a dialogue about what you kind hard….

Todays tip: I like to draw the roofscape first!

Getting roof angles right can be tricky so I like to draw them first and look at them as shapes as much as possible. I might apply some basic perspective (more of this on the next post!)  but just try to draw what I see. I then project the walls down from that…

(and yes, I was sketching in my car - in a parked position of course!)

Now I am sure I have not explained that fully… so fire away with questions and I will expand on it with my next post!
Posted by at
Labels: , , , ,

11 comments:

  1. AnonymousAugust 20, 2013 at 10:58 PM

    I am going to kick it off with a question about car sketching!
    How much are you guided by what you can see from the car window, do you move the car till you get it right, do you move seats in the car, do you have the window down and the radio playing?
    I am right handed, and I find sitting in the driver seat to sketch does not work because I want the water on the right and it there is nowhere for it, clearly I need a stick on water holder on my paint box like yours!
    Now, a question about the sketching of the sub_urban house relates to the bricks - is it every a good idea to show the detail in the bricks, and how would you go about that?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Liz SteelAugust 21, 2013 at 8:53 PM

      thank you... yes car sketching is not ideal. I will write more about this soon.
      As for bricks... I never draw all the bricks. I rarely even indicate the texture. I just don't have the patience.
      Thanks for the questions ...will add to my list of future posts!

      Delete
  2. AngelaAugust 21, 2013 at 2:08 AM

    Hi Liz- I love the sound of this series of posts. I have a hard time sketching on location, because I can get overwhelmed by what I am drawing (even just one building, let alone a streetscape), so even this one small tip is helpful, and confidence building- thank you! I can guarantee there will be questions on future posts.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Liz SteelAugust 21, 2013 at 8:54 PM

      Thanks Angela! I hope to share some more tips for breaking down buildings into shapes.

      Delete
  3. UnknownAugust 21, 2013 at 8:46 PM

    thanks for thinking of doing this type of blog. i see all the drawings and want to start but not sure where. if you continue this line it will be a great help to me as i am not likely to travel around the world to be able to sit in one of your classes.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Liz SteelAugust 21, 2013 at 8:54 PM

      Thanks Stacey!!! Maybe one day I can come with my workshops to your part of the world (wherever that is!)

      Delete
  4. AnonymousAugust 22, 2013 at 1:05 PM

    Thank you for starting this. I'm new to all the sketching. I live in what is an old neighborhood for the West Coast of the US. It's very mixed styles and personalities (the houses). Usually I start any new hobby by biting off more than I can chew. I think I can handle the roof line though.
    I'll be watching this Blog!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Liz SteelSeptember 2, 2013 at 9:25 AM

      thank you - hope the blog will be of use. Just go for it, practice practice practice, love the learning process and HAVE FUN!

      Delete
  5. Diane DSeptember 2, 2013 at 1:03 AM

    Hi Liz. I have been following both your blogs for the past few years. I love your art. I am very interested in sketching architecture and too often get caught up in the details. I welcome your tips and how-tos on how to break up the building(s) into shapes. I will definitely try the rook line first. Thanks!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Liz SteelSeptember 2, 2013 at 9:26 AM

      thank you Diane! I hope to share more tips about not getting caught up in the details.... that is a common problem.

      Delete
  6. Ariana WoodNovember 13, 2024 at 6:59 PM

    Hi thhanks for posting this

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)

LinkWithin