tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13640758302787301312024-03-14T20:57:27.118+11:00Sketching ArchitectureLiz Steelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06180890583072227150noreply@blogger.comBlogger81125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1364075830278730131.post-78808076056163942682016-04-11T15:02:00.000+10:002020-01-06T13:50:18.382+11:00Sketching Architecture Resource Page over at lizsteel.com<br />
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Just to let you all know that after a few years of being unable to post regularly to this blog I have decided to retire it and instead focus on providing better instructional content over on my newly re-designed site <a href="http://lizsteel.com./">lizsteel.com.</a><br />
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I have a dedicated resource page just for <a href="http://www.lizsteel.com/sketching-architecture/">Sketching Architecture </a>which will contain an index of all my best posts. So I hope that you will go over and have a look.<br />
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I have a few pieces of exciting news coming up on the topic of <i>Sketching Architecture</i> coming up in the next few months so the best way to keep in touch is to sign up for my monthly newsletter.<br />
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Thanks!<br />
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<br />Liz Steelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06180890583072227150noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1364075830278730131.post-89479912518516157762016-01-04T20:33:00.000+11:002016-02-24T13:20:09.109+11:00UK Architectural Drawings<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJTCAztNbD_K3_450_UFE0zSAmhOoDCyYLxU21s1s3txsi2KSSxt9c5L1PZAeOuBjLuivd-sFZOdd3YD0iXB-HOUrLPTRXCq-x-9-zxC9RdMfpQDToPCRHXUZjbZYRprCs9L_18f8f6A/s1600/LizSteel-6-UK2K-trip-drawings-combo1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJTCAztNbD_K3_450_UFE0zSAmhOoDCyYLxU21s1s3txsi2KSSxt9c5L1PZAeOuBjLuivd-sFZOdd3YD0iXB-HOUrLPTRXCq-x-9-zxC9RdMfpQDToPCRHXUZjbZYRprCs9L_18f8f6A/s640/LizSteel-6-UK2K-trip-drawings-combo1.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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A little look at the architectural study drawings I did after my first trip to the UK in 2000 - <a href="http://www.lizsteel.com/2016/01/some-2016-planning.html">read more over on my blog.</a><br />
I also shared some of these drawings <a href="http://sketchingarchitecture.blogspot.com.au/2011/11/from-sketches-from-archive.html">here </a>.Liz Steelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06180890583072227150noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1364075830278730131.post-89848905637485114532015-03-21T22:02:00.002+11:002016-02-24T13:20:09.118+11:00Another Sketching Architecture workshop<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiko97HB-kF1JBmmVAjtbXcJ6mpUidNyiWrZveYa3xidG9d3c8KXbkWgd9EWJ-oxxJmsz0WAmryjFXSzzlSNV8ZHXX-K2MS1dSCHNFaZ-rWqDW9pCRbhgKzN1BeTZ4QgB30EPeBPIZWhw/s1600/12_SQ+Sketching+Architecture+Macquarie+St+Full.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiko97HB-kF1JBmmVAjtbXcJ6mpUidNyiWrZveYa3xidG9d3c8KXbkWgd9EWJ-oxxJmsz0WAmryjFXSzzlSNV8ZHXX-K2MS1dSCHNFaZ-rWqDW9pCRbhgKzN1BeTZ4QgB30EPeBPIZWhw/s1600/12_SQ+Sketching+Architecture+Macquarie+St+Full.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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Only a few spaces left for my new 2 day Sketching Architecture workshop - please <a href="mailto:lizsteel@gmail.com">email</a> if you are interested... it is proving to be popular!<br />
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I am super excited about this... it is GOOD to be teaching architecture sketching again. And looking forward to teaching my 'pointless perspective' approach (more details soon)<br />
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More details <a href="http://www.lizsteel.com/p/workshops.html">here</a>... and blog post about my 'prep' work <a href="http://www.lizsteel.com/2015/03/prep-for-new-2-day-sketching.html">here</a>Liz Steelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06180890583072227150noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1364075830278730131.post-56783100412429014742014-10-17T18:39:00.000+11:002020-01-06T13:50:23.470+11:00The Perpective issue again...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG3SEJVHjiNRar0HsT24axDm_N15QvlpXBb9Er8dZAbgruqu6X2bkpFyI8K94ZZn2j376RBsQipXr4RUwtm2eBqpHnxzk6m9-SZHJEGVglI_3uDJuMk8MBN4bl7hiFqrptwYkh6EYrcGA/s1600/s140919_02+Lambton+Rotunda+Combo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG3SEJVHjiNRar0HsT24axDm_N15QvlpXBb9Er8dZAbgruqu6X2bkpFyI8K94ZZn2j376RBsQipXr4RUwtm2eBqpHnxzk6m9-SZHJEGVglI_3uDJuMk8MBN4bl7hiFqrptwYkh6EYrcGA/s1600/s140919_02+Lambton+Rotunda+Combo.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Musings further to sketching Lambton Rotunda - sketching it myself and instructing others during my travel sketching workshop last month for Newcastle Art Society.<br />
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<b>Do you need to understand perspective to draw buildings or do you just draw what you see?</b><br />
<b>How do you draw what you see - how do you switch off the objective brain and use your visual brain?</b><br />
<b>When something looks wrong can you work out how to fix it?</b><br />
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I share a few ideas (for starters!) over at <a href="http://www.lizsteel.com/2014/10/lambton-rotunda-musings-do-you-need.html">my main blog</a>.<br />
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(I have been working hard over at my blog and my new<a href="http://www.sketchingnow.com/"> SketchingNow</a> online class site and hoping to get a fully integrated solution for this architecture blog soon - I promise!)<br />
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<br /><br />Liz Steelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06180890583072227150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1364075830278730131.post-72859793661982679752014-07-01T14:29:00.005+10:002016-02-24T13:20:09.079+11:00A building I DID sketch again - Tasmanian Heritage Council Building<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBZsada3X4XNF3ny5tL6I0BrWUnCkmZtZp8xwCmvenyjTlk4Whp-pR8JudQa4KOizSMvqFDwRJbKQBiopgSLh9dPSAeGwH__LCmkhqXySRPOIR5pEh_BGZRJvIxEz-3xQP51801DvcLpY/s1600/s140701+Skarch+Heritage+Building.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBZsada3X4XNF3ny5tL6I0BrWUnCkmZtZp8xwCmvenyjTlk4Whp-pR8JudQa4KOizSMvqFDwRJbKQBiopgSLh9dPSAeGwH__LCmkhqXySRPOIR5pEh_BGZRJvIxEz-3xQP51801DvcLpY/s1600/s140701+Skarch+Heritage+Building.jpg" height="454" width="640" /></a></div>
So... first day in my trip to Tasmania last month I did sketch 'that' building from my <a href="http://sketchingarchitecture.blogspot.com.au/2014/05/a-building-i-have-to-sketch-again-in.html">previous post</a> that I sketched in 2005. That building is what I call the 'Butler Bank building' - originally the Commercial Bank designed by Frank Bulter in 1866. It is now the home of the Tasmanian Heritage Council.<br />
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There are some sketchers that once they have sketched an object or scene - it is 'done' and they want to do something different. I am the opposite. There is a part of me that wants to sketch the same thing over and over again. It is like visiting old friends - like renewing acquaintances and having a new dialogue with them (hmm, not only do I talk to myself - I talk to buildings so it seems!)<br />
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I also think there is a lovely creative memory that is brought back when you sketch something for the second time. (or third or fourth) To quote from my sketchbook<br />
"It is a really complicated building - of course I looked at my first sketch of it (from 2005) recently but I do think that I would have remembered it (it = its design and basic configuration) - or at least what to look out for"<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghV0Ufjx2kuJ-o5ktGJaoCpUMVzOi3as_dgzbSS0xe4Sx0R9-ZaTdt2-coWXqO4-AUvdvYoa9cxYvi-bjyUoSVnZeHNpF01iHUh2Ll4lt46Hc-W45jquCZtMU7UgRbGAJRY8-DkIgoDdA/s1600/s140701+BUlter+building+diagram.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghV0Ufjx2kuJ-o5ktGJaoCpUMVzOi3as_dgzbSS0xe4Sx0R9-ZaTdt2-coWXqO4-AUvdvYoa9cxYvi-bjyUoSVnZeHNpF01iHUh2Ll4lt46Hc-W45jquCZtMU7UgRbGAJRY8-DkIgoDdA/s1600/s140701+BUlter+building+diagram.jpg" height="448" width="640" /></a></div>
Anyway - I thought I would share with you a diagram what I saw at the time - this is what I drew first. I often (not always) do a very quick setout with watercolour pencil of the main guidelines and you can see these lines in this diagram and how I adjusted the spacing when I drew with ink.<br />
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There are lots of lovely design features - double columns, square and round, interesting patterns of brackets and modillions.... but nailing this overall structure is crucial to put all the details together. A beautiful building.<br />
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As I have said often.... the most important thing about sketching architecture is the ability to be able to see the structure.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhSFZ_TBgF7fXSnyID_CfYDolZYmwJhbOHZ7pXOup6ZeP2NT8yb0f7UWALFi0XNGmaaaqONr0cz2RCEC5IOG-WIz7b_LCrbGkxKq-4vELYd_LJB9FYfJf6yWmB4kwNYXVj5AL5fca43jc/s1600/s140701+SKArch+TMAG+courtyard+front+facade.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhSFZ_TBgF7fXSnyID_CfYDolZYmwJhbOHZ7pXOup6ZeP2NT8yb0f7UWALFi0XNGmaaaqONr0cz2RCEC5IOG-WIz7b_LCrbGkxKq-4vELYd_LJB9FYfJf6yWmB4kwNYXVj5AL5fca43jc/s1600/s140701+SKArch+TMAG+courtyard+front+facade.jpg" height="456" width="640" /></a><br />
And finally, here is a sketch I did at crazy pace the next day. I didn't do any setup lines but just went for it. This is the waterfront facade to TMAG - Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery.<br />
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I made many mistakes while I was sketching this... but I am struggling to see them all now... 'just keep going' is another important piece of advice I give when it comes to sketching architecture (and many other things as well)<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhSFZ_TBgF7fXSnyID_CfYDolZYmwJhbOHZ7pXOup6ZeP2NT8yb0f7UWALFi0XNGmaaaqONr0cz2RCEC5IOG-WIz7b_LCrbGkxKq-4vELYd_LJB9FYfJf6yWmB4kwNYXVj5AL5fca43jc/s1600/s140701+SKArch+TMAG+courtyard+front+facade.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a>Liz Steelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06180890583072227150noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1364075830278730131.post-21566265276281285022014-05-17T18:16:00.000+10:002016-02-24T13:20:08.978+11:00A building I have to sketch again in Hobart<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYm26NJ_EdCTafTFTXt0xQK3FLfI90uej3WVCa_xopo5qh4b9oJ51Ki44XPFtSltGg-RT5pH6xO79z_fPMqyhBG9cFvH6BGxxJ4Z_cpQAKwM2HjSoFX_VV4Cu_NxgCKSzWAPKckq0_BaA/s1600/s2005+trip+Hobart+from+my+photo+album2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYm26NJ_EdCTafTFTXt0xQK3FLfI90uej3WVCa_xopo5qh4b9oJ51Ki44XPFtSltGg-RT5pH6xO79z_fPMqyhBG9cFvH6BGxxJ4Z_cpQAKwM2HjSoFX_VV4Cu_NxgCKSzWAPKckq0_BaA/s1600/s2005+trip+Hobart+from+my+photo+album2.jpg" height="456" width="640" /></a></div>
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Before I sketched, I used to take a lot of photos and put together elaborate photo books from my travels.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpWE4lGIIWSiFgVu9OXUUQQeAutGrx7KlbaQ8v4tZEQuRuu9H3ZiI5UwmWG_mlwHRiR8nmFtm6I9oHPiIZyM1yR7zW0sc30Fpwe1bqYk0G0MARkj1aGtyL35SgfvITo0HAG48Xx-ECnQo/s1600/s2005+trip+Hobart+from+my+photo+album.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpWE4lGIIWSiFgVu9OXUUQQeAutGrx7KlbaQ8v4tZEQuRuu9H3ZiI5UwmWG_mlwHRiR8nmFtm6I9oHPiIZyM1yR7zW0sc30Fpwe1bqYk0G0MARkj1aGtyL35SgfvITo0HAG48Xx-ECnQo/s1600/s2005+trip+Hobart+from+my+photo+album.jpg" height="448" width="640" /></a> <br />
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In 2005 I had a long weekend in Tasmania of 5 days. I put together a 160 page book which I printed myself of quality paper and got professional bound. Here are three pages from that book….and the important part of these pages is that it records my first ever attempt to seriously sketch a building on location.<br />
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqOM13c3fGIQF3QgeJetP2AL_nk8KdPAxPeAtIoJmxy2EH5Llpjz_CleNPokMb21oTEMkBbs8NFhHa8YlSKgiOpewzfBwxdmKXSQK_ha4ywm9i8AIQtB14Gx1aEG8SwTxcftIDmECwzGI/s1600/s2005+thobart+sketch.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqOM13c3fGIQF3QgeJetP2AL_nk8KdPAxPeAtIoJmxy2EH5Llpjz_CleNPokMb21oTEMkBbs8NFhHa8YlSKgiOpewzfBwxdmKXSQK_ha4ywm9i8AIQtB14Gx1aEG8SwTxcftIDmECwzGI/s1600/s2005+thobart+sketch.jpg" height="428" width="640" /></a><br /><br />
I just love the comments that I wrote at the time<br /><br />"actually attempted to do a sketch of the two buildings opposite me" <br />(comment: I always wanted to sketch but never found the time)<br />"the sketch was pathetic - but the experience of actually looking and then recording a building on location was so novel for me that I think it is one of the highlights of the trip!" <br />(comment: love the process of looking and record and not concerned by the result)<br />"it was also a bit of a break through in my ideas about how to look, learn, record and enjoy architecture" <br />(comment: this is also very interesting - I think the same things often! I am always having break throughs and new ideas as how to look, learn, record and enjoy)<br />"I realised after attempting this sketch that I would be better off sketching diagrams and details rather than try to draw the whole elevation accurately - this is just too hard for me to achieve on location - at the moment anyway, till my skills improve"<br />(comment: ironic thinking that sketching was too hard… but realisation that I need to work on my skills"<br />"Wow - I got a lot out of it"<br />(comment: exactly!)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Pq9HcMm6UoBMFKA2Sl8kSkcmZUDOf-AWn-i1RbiKjf7OEp6VNZrKH0wJKyl5ImwOqEzYvOnM0FWcfNMIjcQ12y-fF2XIGW5fvIHn3G2QPw5xmBR_ywNwPdNrCsAdYleOt5zuuHhnCDo/s1600/s2005+trip+Hobart+from+my+photo+album3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Pq9HcMm6UoBMFKA2Sl8kSkcmZUDOf-AWn-i1RbiKjf7OEp6VNZrKH0wJKyl5ImwOqEzYvOnM0FWcfNMIjcQ12y-fF2XIGW5fvIHn3G2QPw5xmBR_ywNwPdNrCsAdYleOt5zuuHhnCDo/s1600/s2005+trip+Hobart+from+my+photo+album3.jpg" height="454" width="640" /></a> <br />
<br />Liz Steelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06180890583072227150noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1364075830278730131.post-20213716792663628562014-05-09T10:58:00.002+10:002016-02-24T13:20:08.967+11:00A very quick sketch of complicated building<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6D1VFxTH3eCN6ecro3Fanc4EHmpFoL08kchc1wGB2aPkjW-h-eY4ItLxupSf137Qkolu4i6liOaQnTwtohbYlXslQTzMqnrrTWjFo8TobcHehn2xy53ZUkDLw80a3ndfZ1QOZiqU5igY/s1600/s140503+USKSYD+CROP+Rivendell+Main+Building.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6D1VFxTH3eCN6ecro3Fanc4EHmpFoL08kchc1wGB2aPkjW-h-eY4ItLxupSf137Qkolu4i6liOaQnTwtohbYlXslQTzMqnrrTWjFo8TobcHehn2xy53ZUkDLw80a3ndfZ1QOZiqU5igY/s1600/s140503+USKSYD+CROP+Rivendell+Main+Building.jpg" height="550" width="640" /></a><br />
Those of you that follow my daily blog would have seen these images during the week (from last Saturday's USK SYD event at Rivendell Rhodes), but I want to write a little more about the step by step of this somewhat crazy sketch.<br />
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmQYzDZZ9EObKDI0t45tDPAY2Ydd3XT50SOdg9MfO6mlq6dRiYmVpKwauNnJRR0z1NeKDZ4_XJmQVFT52ufQ3zHAOnhiihKcUKCIFYDKxMJVdZ7Cf2kI21Y4-oQsp6N4m8FTwbh1Eaaso/s1600/s140503+Rivendell.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmQYzDZZ9EObKDI0t45tDPAY2Ydd3XT50SOdg9MfO6mlq6dRiYmVpKwauNnJRR0z1NeKDZ4_XJmQVFT52ufQ3zHAOnhiihKcUKCIFYDKxMJVdZ7Cf2kI21Y4-oQsp6N4m8FTwbh1Eaaso/s1600/s140503+Rivendell.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a><br /><br />
The whole thing was completed in just over 15minutes and has been done in a large A4 moleskine watercolour book (so the width of the sketch is 2 x A4) I think this is the fastest sketch I have ever done at this scale. I have been doing a lot of sketching lately so am 'in the groove' and therefore decided to risk attempting this sketch of a large complex building in a short time frame.<br /><br />So… a few comments on my approach (which in many ways was unplanned)<br />
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7QUJkvilJtHeU6lcYWzwbiT-vpFjhuXoSTmlbqKrVOFGDTsAxdNJOcS0sHR5kLKchjyyWV4F6XmCIfb68kS67rnN5To1ANZ6esFoiM7vWCbz7hiR2tjfCWOrMPc27HyW0uxv43PnMp0I/s1600/s140503+Rivendell+Step+by+Step1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7QUJkvilJtHeU6lcYWzwbiT-vpFjhuXoSTmlbqKrVOFGDTsAxdNJOcS0sHR5kLKchjyyWV4F6XmCIfb68kS67rnN5To1ANZ6esFoiM7vWCbz7hiR2tjfCWOrMPc27HyW0uxv43PnMp0I/s1600/s140503+Rivendell+Step+by+Step1.jpg" height="220" width="640" /></a><br /><br />
First: I knew I didn't have much time so I decided to go with watercolour pencil - I certainly find using pencil of any kind a lot freer than ink. I started with the main tower (I always seem to start from the top and this is the important feature of the building) and then worked left then right (running out of steam as I moved right… sometimes it is good to be impatient… my 'running out of steam' is a good way of not overworking secondary elements - I was not sure how much of the secondary building I would want to include)<br />
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6FYxDOc_3sS2rfcfZ0_n8is4Jw5nbRRwpYqdsFtZoKvTT4qs1tH0B1xXNex7kEho1gnD_BLsYzcPh2oSV5q6FmK9kheFtDsZGVrNgdu6KlJ4loYezLeZ-2xNdLMflC9og69PEr_C3dgE/s1600/s140503+Rivendell+Step+by+Step2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6FYxDOc_3sS2rfcfZ0_n8is4Jw5nbRRwpYqdsFtZoKvTT4qs1tH0B1xXNex7kEho1gnD_BLsYzcPh2oSV5q6FmK9kheFtDsZGVrNgdu6KlJ4loYezLeZ-2xNdLMflC9og69PEr_C3dgE/s1600/s140503+Rivendell+Step+by+Step2.jpg" height="436" width="640" /></a><br /><br />
Second stage: I haven't really decided what I was going to do (ie. I didn't necessarily intend to use ink) but as time was short so the paint had to get on as soon as possible. So I quickly splashed on some colour in the areas of shade/shadows. After doing this, I realised that it would take too long to try to build this sketch up with paint - it would be a lot quicker if I had ink lines to hold it together so pulled out my sailor pen (with an up-turned nib) and added the major edges. All of that scribbly pencil work provided guidelines and helped me be strong and confident with my ink.<br />
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNQDWFThQ7t_pS9MvnHH3sKYMd9yzrDH1X9ANZlm8Kayf2N-qAzWykGjtf1IY96LE6QbBCYbiaVBNS_cvlGhjmJQUnSFG0QUNE9mKaFTHtYVs2JWVE7cP2zh9KJOeVI_lZZVbEh3ZnwFM/s1600/s140503+Rivendell+Step+by+Step3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNQDWFThQ7t_pS9MvnHH3sKYMd9yzrDH1X9ANZlm8Kayf2N-qAzWykGjtf1IY96LE6QbBCYbiaVBNS_cvlGhjmJQUnSFG0QUNE9mKaFTHtYVs2JWVE7cP2zh9KJOeVI_lZZVbEh3ZnwFM/s1600/s140503+Rivendell+Step+by+Step3.jpg" height="394" width="640" /></a><br /><br />
Third stage: Running out of time… so quickly splashed on more colour … can't really explain in any detail… just going with the flow at a crazy exciting pace. As soon as I thought "should I do sky? - do I have time?" I paused and then realised it was time to go for the show and tell.<br />
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijnOVQBRLzuTMoZfWoohFYQ36w2Z_ZPWdhNJXyJgBIXD7_zKhJq7dNraXQmC6VTEZhv3mPXxiS4T1KTyYIjzjpOj7f0tIaqGB8Xf6e_lsxS6XWMzYhTDBdrJuNUXno8RAuvo0h3AImof8/s1600/s140503+Rivendell+Step+by+Step4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijnOVQBRLzuTMoZfWoohFYQ36w2Z_ZPWdhNJXyJgBIXD7_zKhJq7dNraXQmC6VTEZhv3mPXxiS4T1KTyYIjzjpOj7f0tIaqGB8Xf6e_lsxS6XWMzYhTDBdrJuNUXno8RAuvo0h3AImof8/s1600/s140503+Rivendell+Step+by+Step4.jpg" height="258" width="640" /></a><br />Finally: I decided to add the sky once I got home as there was so much white on the page… and having blue sky was a rather special part of that morning (had been raining when we woke up but turned out lovely for our sketching event)<br /><br />Anyway - there are a lot of 'mistakes' in this sketch - things that don't align or are not evenly spaced… but do you think I will lose sleep over that? NO!<br /><br />This sketch is another example of my approach to sketching architecture: the most important thing is to understand the major components of the building form .. and not to stress about perspective <br />(hmm, was I supposed to use perspective on this sketch?? - oops didn't even enter my head!!!) <br /><br />I hope that seeing the stages- and in particular the first stage is useful to see what I think is important… <br />
Liz Steelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06180890583072227150noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1364075830278730131.post-39907441252363105542014-04-24T18:35:00.000+10:002016-02-24T13:20:09.001+11:00Sketching architecture with Watercolour pencils<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrZBD4kEQVjL1IZXBoiSWuqKWGJHhMF0pdipWZl0xosZXWSeCS4aEE5rRxiyKpZb5nUs5rytX7APU6tKB6qegHuZoHAsbU5c72xof_pcZH4HUzDsisBFeeOzbFwcd5wAMNhEa7gBqn_Qs/s1600/s140411+WCP+Baroque+FacadeW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrZBD4kEQVjL1IZXBoiSWuqKWGJHhMF0pdipWZl0xosZXWSeCS4aEE5rRxiyKpZb5nUs5rytX7APU6tKB6qegHuZoHAsbU5c72xof_pcZH4HUzDsisBFeeOzbFwcd5wAMNhEa7gBqn_Qs/s1600/s140411+WCP+Baroque+FacadeW.jpg" height="" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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</a></div>In the last week (or two..since my last post here) I have been continuing to experiment. And out of the blue I got out my watercolour pencils..the very night of my previous post in fact! I had not seen that coming at all. <br />
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Well it wasn't quite that random- I was prompted by <a href="http://koosjekoene.blogspot.com.au/">Koojse's</a> coloured pencil exercise of Week 2 of <a href="http://www.sketchbookskool.com/">Sketchbook Skool </a>to get out my (watercolour)pencils (WCPs). I don't have any serious set of normal coloured pencils. Although I use WCPs regularly in association with watercolour paint I rarely use them on their own mainly because I just LOVE paint and water so much. So decided it was time to really get to know them better on their own!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEIkLm4pY5_SLUwsjf3QvX2Lc_q5ghON7VPdVGajrzaKOn20OhUOQXXRYWzhUCgXmfGOvBK0yVTerpDnWp1pkS6384AreKEV02rhszM1U3sNSYnFuFTyjSQJggi1oHyCCrP_MImb-vdSY/s1600/s140411+WCP+Baroque.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEIkLm4pY5_SLUwsjf3QvX2Lc_q5ghON7VPdVGajrzaKOn20OhUOQXXRYWzhUCgXmfGOvBK0yVTerpDnWp1pkS6384AreKEV02rhszM1U3sNSYnFuFTyjSQJggi1oHyCCrP_MImb-vdSY/s1600/s140411+WCP+Baroque.jpg" height="432" width="640" /></a><br />
Of course the first sketch I did was a tea cup but them the second subject was a baroque facade<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQSkp_jbka6FVYlCHLdwfoLRkLaCB6QIpEUggipE0QxxfRBP-7PdFjWFNehq5E3eX5dnpZnX7E6bt-JJ3tDiSwX9RsNHKFWmMJXYqUKzcMrIWQSnonrqbvAfIuoqf2EPA5lywjBs9x6Jw/s1600/s140411+WCP+Baroque+Facade+Steps.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQSkp_jbka6FVYlCHLdwfoLRkLaCB6QIpEUggipE0QxxfRBP-7PdFjWFNehq5E3eX5dnpZnX7E6bt-JJ3tDiSwX9RsNHKFWmMJXYqUKzcMrIWQSnonrqbvAfIuoqf2EPA5lywjBs9x6Jw/s1600/s140411+WCP+Baroque+Facade+Steps.jpg" height="358" width="640" /></a><br />
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… and then I did a step by step of a bigger sketch. I am working in a very similiar way with the pencils as I do with ink and wash. Draw all the edges first and then lay in the colour- leaving plenty of white for the sunlit area. And then adding the areas of shadow. I am very bold with my use of pencils and then easy with the water! After I had applied the water I needed to go back and add some more details.<br />
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BTW I will be holding some workshops in Tasmania next month - using both watercolour and WCPs...more details <a href="http://www.lizsteel.com/p/blog-page.html">here</a>Liz Steelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06180890583072227150noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1364075830278730131.post-19290991496506826222014-04-11T10:58:00.002+10:002016-02-24T13:20:08.960+11:00Linelessness - painting buildings shapes not edges<br />
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One of the things that I love about keeping a sketchbook and sketching regularly is that you never not what direction your art might take. The regular habit puts you in the space that can lead to the unexpected. Last week, I started keeping a food diary and decided to paint with no lines…<br /><br />This week this state of linelessness has taken over…and interestingly extended to my architecture sketching.<br /><br />What is really fun about this is that it is so different from my normal approach of clearly defining edges according to the architectural form of a building. This week I have just been playing with shapes. In the delightful tension between painter vs architect, I think the painter is winning at the moment!<br /><br />My first sketch was from a photo (I am heading to Tasmania for some workshops next month) and I was drawing with paint here and trying not to describe every element the same way. Really trying to make the most of the power of the white on the page as well.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieuPnxyuXqG9q-KdbRxv-Fyh2lStYyMM8eiWSC9s3YdjOlwHDt-L5axewjwU2NYnCO08tG0wgEqovXvw6LssZCzV73EHOUG-hm7xhsA5Hot-9u4P-CtDFnBKlgMKdJIup1OSuWk91v-Jo/s1600/s140410++versions1+Blue+house+%2332.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA0myc-P7ed7f9kVvwmirEfcgspPh-HYOJq0G7GY3zv3nww18rEltU96sGRIHnt2xYIZXkTtn_bImb1z4fhVVZOLs1elOzknPpXxq5UfHtFJNkw5-Ac9tvlyvOEWd6e_RHrMIyfRL3Yu8/s1600/s140409+Line_less+Fed+House.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA0myc-P7ed7f9kVvwmirEfcgspPh-HYOJq0G7GY3zv3nww18rEltU96sGRIHnt2xYIZXkTtn_bImb1z4fhVVZOLs1elOzknPpXxq5UfHtFJNkw5-Ac9tvlyvOEWd6e_RHrMIyfRL3Yu8/s1600/s140409+Line_less+Fed+House.jpg" height="434" width="640" /></a><br />The next sketch was a local Federation house (in Mosman) and I was really concentrating on drawing shapes or the negative shapes to describe form. Working Very wet as well.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfMs_9WrlLmaea6_l_47tgcH8ILQFV73J3S29bQkru3vLkVamAmPJCpEjTgkeLqrbgaAX_8fFeKNjgqCdjdrBudMhyisGVWbS9F_zmc1h_fJuE97VGl3G3g8DZgqV8m9KMApCBjxXzn58/s1600/s140409+More+line_less+architecture.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfMs_9WrlLmaea6_l_47tgcH8ILQFV73J3S29bQkru3vLkVamAmPJCpEjTgkeLqrbgaAX_8fFeKNjgqCdjdrBudMhyisGVWbS9F_zmc1h_fJuE97VGl3G3g8DZgqV8m9KMApCBjxXzn58/s1600/s140409+More+line_less+architecture.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a><br /><br />
My third sketch is a Tasmanian building from a photo again… and this time I started with the openings and worked my way around from there. The very last thing that I did was to add those paint lines that describe the architectural details - the columns and the moulding details.<br />
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSxAI3g0cxkTa_2douAfr68yLsKlAuGDKUz04nuWBUK1YDzQEc1M-zxujQbOIzLNgy9yRDW8CFJ7wDHWnENY5unW7dhmkbRLt1PLW-iT7TJJHPz9gJEDXQ6b4iZr0KjXweO62jACjGFpE/s1600/s140410+2+versions+Blue+house+%2332.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSxAI3g0cxkTa_2douAfr68yLsKlAuGDKUz04nuWBUK1YDzQEc1M-zxujQbOIzLNgy9yRDW8CFJ7wDHWnENY5unW7dhmkbRLt1PLW-iT7TJJHPz9gJEDXQ6b4iZr0KjXweO62jACjGFpE/s1600/s140410+2+versions+Blue+house+%2332.jpg" height="210" width="640" /></a><br /><br />
And finally, yesterday, I did two versions of a local house. (ok...the second version has some watercolour pencils lines in it...so I have not totally abandoned my lines...no indeed intend to)<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicXADXJOszIbINreulOwKp2074Iq0SBWFSsuj6Zn_z-DLcD6r42qldnNNypEMMk8CbPviLInAKQWaFc3oUH7uvZgMeJ-xatVUQTnO8BXpw-lcJ6mar4y4c24P6qYbe7P3rrhlP989uzxA/s1600/140510+Blue+House%2332+step1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicXADXJOszIbINreulOwKp2074Iq0SBWFSsuj6Zn_z-DLcD6r42qldnNNypEMMk8CbPviLInAKQWaFc3oUH7uvZgMeJ-xatVUQTnO8BXpw-lcJ6mar4y4c24P6qYbe7P3rrhlP989uzxA/s1600/140510+Blue+House%2332+step1.jpg" height="432" width="640" /></a><br />
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I took a photo after my first step - once again drawing shapes first and not the important edges.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieuPnxyuXqG9q-KdbRxv-Fyh2lStYyMM8eiWSC9s3YdjOlwHDt-L5axewjwU2NYnCO08tG0wgEqovXvw6LssZCzV73EHOUG-hm7xhsA5Hot-9u4P-CtDFnBKlgMKdJIup1OSuWk91v-Jo/s1600/s140410++versions1+Blue+house+%2332.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieuPnxyuXqG9q-KdbRxv-Fyh2lStYyMM8eiWSC9s3YdjOlwHDt-L5axewjwU2NYnCO08tG0wgEqovXvw6LssZCzV73EHOUG-hm7xhsA5Hot-9u4P-CtDFnBKlgMKdJIup1OSuWk91v-Jo/s1600/s140410++versions1+Blue+house+%2332.jpg" height="498" width="640" /></a><br /><br />
Who knows what I will be doing next week….<br />Liz Steelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06180890583072227150noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1364075830278730131.post-11609050052792562772014-04-02T22:53:00.000+11:002016-02-24T13:20:08.937+11:00What has happened to my architecture sketching??? <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLi8uQ1DxNXvHe1YksmVEj_RHSsrH9sKO6EQZVhmyEjEO_0anXvSFs-xxbksXCeSc7wTmuDbYQuhzOs_L6fO6mL2OMdTjG8JUtaPaK2_I3-5nZ03T-Fz5skdpC_uHLuU706f3mpuFq4KU/s1600/s14032+Surry+Hills+_CROP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLi8uQ1DxNXvHe1YksmVEj_RHSsrH9sKO6EQZVhmyEjEO_0anXvSFs-xxbksXCeSc7wTmuDbYQuhzOs_L6fO6mL2OMdTjG8JUtaPaK2_I3-5nZ03T-Fz5skdpC_uHLuU706f3mpuFq4KU/s1600/s14032+Surry+Hills+_CROP.jpg" height="440" width="640" /></a></div>
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yes, once again, I seem to be missing in action when it comes to regularly posting on this blog. But to be honest, I have done very little architecture sketching this year.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgismusbwblh9orz4lvCjzrxJA0GSnvRrpr3Rjy2O4oY1goYzt2s7hsn5H-PeVJ0NBhGGyp8E8unxMXAxGWGW-28gWWxgmhmJ3PtIunO2Q1KMtZ9cTOVsCaHQvmbwa4WBr-KUH1bux6IL4/s1600/s140321+Cockatoo+Island+with+Paul_Cafe+view.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgismusbwblh9orz4lvCjzrxJA0GSnvRrpr3Rjy2O4oY1goYzt2s7hsn5H-PeVJ0NBhGGyp8E8unxMXAxGWGW-28gWWxgmhmJ3PtIunO2Q1KMtZ9cTOVsCaHQvmbwa4WBr-KUH1bux6IL4/s1600/s140321+Cockatoo+Island+with+Paul_Cafe+view.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a><br />
Lots of teacup and cake sketching and lots of sketching on Cockatoo Island which is often more about cranes and texture. If you missed it, the Cockatoo Island focus was in preparation for a big 2 day workshop I taught with Paul Wang from Singapore (more <a href="http://www.urbansketchers.org/2014/03/expressive-urban-sketching-workshop-in.html">here</a>)<br /><br />However, this title does not just refer to my slackness in posting here… it is also poses the question of the style of my architecture sketching… it is getting looser and looser and more colourful...and more fun!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJgtn74Sd_yuO28Lc4LaBom8Ww7pY3y5KhXnJ0JchzNc_4Iram9B9lmk9IuyVAhJmHytO5z8vduuiId1DyQG9UwmKOscOEqZ5q5YnSH8x2lJ5FQTXGdf_YHXAm1fXbGRf89KZv29SFIXY/s1600/Teacup+looseness.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJgtn74Sd_yuO28Lc4LaBom8Ww7pY3y5KhXnJ0JchzNc_4Iram9B9lmk9IuyVAhJmHytO5z8vduuiId1DyQG9UwmKOscOEqZ5q5YnSH8x2lJ5FQTXGdf_YHXAm1fXbGRf89KZv29SFIXY/s1600/Teacup+looseness.jpg" height="358" width="640" /></a><br /><br />
I think the change is seen in my teacup sketches as well - more about it <a href="http://www.lizsteel.com/2014/02/my-recent-cuppa-experiments.html">here</a>. (Oops this blog is supposed to be a tea cup free zone!)<br /><br />I am playing with paint and watersoluble pencils, mixing up the order of colour and line… and basically just having fun and working in a state of play. But behind it all is my foundational working method of working from overall form to details.<br />
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjttpCq541FNG6NKtSHkbPM9c69TZU7_v5mQ-oRCE3hBIPMpBuM6rojOukUIPIYHXEaYnSjWDMIJ7Hqk6kRhds1-UcP-8mTdoF4euOFOxfpy_uliNlXVMMvDhVJYRbHaicdVYa4Kzo6C1E/s1600/s140315+Saturday+Night+Baroque.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjttpCq541FNG6NKtSHkbPM9c69TZU7_v5mQ-oRCE3hBIPMpBuM6rojOukUIPIYHXEaYnSjWDMIJ7Hqk6kRhds1-UcP-8mTdoF4euOFOxfpy_uliNlXVMMvDhVJYRbHaicdVYa4Kzo6C1E/s1600/s140315+Saturday+Night+Baroque.jpg" height="616" width="640" /></a><br /><br />
I haven't even been doing any late night Baroque sketches- something I used to do a lot of … this is the only example in months and months!<br />
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9it2e8fXnQEKhMUW0dd4cZ0nOgWBrjIz49IDeYbtkT5IxSH1s4HMwc5j9AmvonLTxGWcppkquJzqqFxnIwvM-P0hubTIKM2PuKilp9EyqBnV15oZcwEslDzTXnZl4EDAok5UPPmEAUvA/s1600/s140321+SOH+Crop.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9it2e8fXnQEKhMUW0dd4cZ0nOgWBrjIz49IDeYbtkT5IxSH1s4HMwc5j9AmvonLTxGWcppkquJzqqFxnIwvM-P0hubTIKM2PuKilp9EyqBnV15oZcwEslDzTXnZl4EDAok5UPPmEAUvA/s1600/s140321+SOH+Crop.jpg" height="326" width="640" /></a><br />
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Even my SOH sketches are going crazy!!! (SOH = Sydney Opera House)<br />
<br />And if you haven't noticed I feel totally free at the moment from the dreaded p-word (perspective)!<br />
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Someone asked me in a workshop I taught on the weekend how the architect in me coped with abandoning perspective rules!!<br />
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That is a good question…one that I will answer in a separate blog post soon (I promise!)<br />
I am starting to get focused on my trip to Brazil in August where I will be teaching at the 5th International Urban Sketchers Symposium. My workshop is called "feeling the edges, a tactile approach to sketching architecture' so there will be more activity here... seriously there will be!Liz Steelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06180890583072227150noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1364075830278730131.post-14434155787621096812014-02-05T18:30:00.002+11:002016-02-24T13:20:08.944+11:00New Sketching Architecture Workshop in The Rocks - 22 February 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjHmjFkHvDRNNpYi6Uqaz7NgiSqI9hyIESV6Zjiut5-DSzrXqWPmowMBV1Ai50psm_f63iNRQI50Ib2XXRuRbBAOiBlTY7JBsWbSqKoG4t_2M3C4tV8hjGGfIlfEKUxwHH4-5brpfgHwk/s1600/sSkA+Rocks+Feb2014.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjHmjFkHvDRNNpYi6Uqaz7NgiSqI9hyIESV6Zjiut5-DSzrXqWPmowMBV1Ai50psm_f63iNRQI50Ib2XXRuRbBAOiBlTY7JBsWbSqKoG4t_2M3C4tV8hjGGfIlfEKUxwHH4-5brpfgHwk/s1600/sSkA+Rocks+Feb2014.jpg" height="320" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAiWy8593jhIZdRJ2I0A_ankvjVy-zUFQOwRyR7ghlzrFJsfcb2foFeP_o7eC21s8SbC9Vl39LZUjcvr2V9OMP1Se35meKExoud0d8EB4mKMiOPf76CCaAcv-9Lxj8MKfD-LQVpUiL9AA/s1600/SKArch+workshop+30Nov.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br />
I am very pleased to announce another Sketching Architecture Saturday workshop out on location in The Rocks. Saturday 22 February 2014<br />
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Exploring the fundamental aspects of sketching architecture:<br />
building forms - structure -details - edges - tone and colour - perspective - space <br />
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This one will be similar to what I ran in November 2013 - though we will be sketching some different buildings. Check out this <a href="http://sketchingarchitecture.blogspot.com.au/2013/12/1-day-workshop-in-rocks.html">blog post </a>which describes in detail what we did.<br />
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The course is suitable for any drawing level - we start with lines and shapes before moving on to buildings. We are not trying to achieve perfect perspective or porportions in one day, but we will explore the basic principles for you to use as a foundation.<br />
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Please email <a href="mailto:lizsteel@gmail.com">me</a> if you are interested<br />
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<a href="mailto:lizsteel@gmail.com" target="_blank">Email me</a> now to secure your place - spots are limited (Maximum class size: 12) <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAiWy8593jhIZdRJ2I0A_ankvjVy-zUFQOwRyR7ghlzrFJsfcb2foFeP_o7eC21s8SbC9Vl39LZUjcvr2V9OMP1Se35meKExoud0d8EB4mKMiOPf76CCaAcv-9Lxj8MKfD-LQVpUiL9AA/s1600/SKArch+workshop+30Nov.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAiWy8593jhIZdRJ2I0A_ankvjVy-zUFQOwRyR7ghlzrFJsfcb2foFeP_o7eC21s8SbC9Vl39LZUjcvr2V9OMP1Se35meKExoud0d8EB4mKMiOPf76CCaAcv-9Lxj8MKfD-LQVpUiL9AA/s640/SKArch+workshop+30Nov.jpg" height="498" width="640" /></a><br />
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</div>Liz Steelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06180890583072227150noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1364075830278730131.post-77407576234514471802013-12-13T21:55:00.001+11:002016-02-24T13:20:09.090+11:00Two recent sketches<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizqCj0OlxDM9KDbPhm45HxPqdIseBcmfZ_n8Ztu11STG-2WqjslxNwzyg2GBJQoz_GAJCEhDvaGuziZzBTcutCgQnHds8mhq57lZJt9T7JwmI7qeirQBiekyadcv6vpVik6cdMSQQHflo/s1600/s131207+Cockatoo2+White+House.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizqCj0OlxDM9KDbPhm45HxPqdIseBcmfZ_n8Ztu11STG-2WqjslxNwzyg2GBJQoz_GAJCEhDvaGuziZzBTcutCgQnHds8mhq57lZJt9T7JwmI7qeirQBiekyadcv6vpVik6cdMSQQHflo/s640/s131207+Cockatoo2+White+House.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Two architecture sketches that I have done in the last week - just for me! <br /><br />A white house at the top of the hill at Cockatoo Island and St Thomas Church North Sydney.<br /><br />I am having fun ….<br />- using a sailor 55degree calligraphy pen instead of a Lamy with EF nib<br />- using a small dagger brush instead of a #8 round brush<br />- very loose application of paint <br />- First sketch - I was exploring how to achieve a nice wash for the shady side of the white building<br />- Second sketch - doing a few quick analysis sketches first to free myself up for the real sketch.<br />
- a little bit of scraping of paint with a plastic card and letting the watercolour pigment do its own thing on the page!<br />
<br />This will be my last post for this year as I am booked to leave for a trip on Monday....so....<br />
<br />Thanks for following along this year and I hope to have some more regular features in 2014.<br /><br />Hope you all have a wonderful 'festive season'Liz Steelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06180890583072227150noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1364075830278730131.post-16196350728015802442013-12-05T13:38:00.002+11:002016-02-24T13:20:08.948+11:001 Day workshop in the Rocks<br />
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Last Saturday I held a 1 day workshop on Sketching Architecture in the Rocks. It was a condensed summary of the content we covered in the 4 week class and was an action packed day. In addition to my content, we also had lots around to distract us - scattered showers, crowds, markets, passing artists giving advice, police dealing with an aggressive drunk and a wedding! We had it all!<br />
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We started in a public seating area thinking about how drawing architecture is far more than just perspective. We then did a number of warmups - doing a few line exercises and drawing some boxes. I am very thankful that the Hero Sushi place allow us to sit outside their store as it started raining and the public seating area is only covered by sail cloth that does not stop the rain.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7CetNnMHw6mQkoI9BFd2WM3Oo5V7NuVHvaa6SO79SjIWmsEmnFwCevEK7kHH_OfVW5uymT6Q5OwvKubroidgH452LyTFUConBECk6FWKjUGf0AOsFahx-PKOd6CT9UXYPLXtTb-rPh78/s1600/sSKArch+workshop+30Nov+Location1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7CetNnMHw6mQkoI9BFd2WM3Oo5V7NuVHvaa6SO79SjIWmsEmnFwCevEK7kHH_OfVW5uymT6Q5OwvKubroidgH452LyTFUConBECk6FWKjUGf0AOsFahx-PKOd6CT9UXYPLXtTb-rPh78/s640/sSKArch+workshop+30Nov+Location1.jpg" height="428" width="640" /></a> <br />
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Our first sketching location was opposite the Australian Steam Navigation Buildings (we sketched this on week 1)… and just to throw everyone in the deep end I gave them only 20 minutes. The idea was to embrace wonkiness, to see the main 3D forms of the building and to add extra details to make it look convincing (despite the distortions) I was totally blown away by the work that was done in the time!<br />
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We then headed down to George St (which was a lot busier than it had been during the week). Like Week 2 of my classes this exercise was all about sitting straight on and understanding how to get overall proportions and work systematically from overall to structure to details. This is where there was a very unfortunate aggressive drunk and police incident on the other side of the road which caused a degree of distraction. We also had two artists walk past and add some advice and encouragement (I think it was all positive comments!) Time for a well earned lunch!<br />
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After lunch we looked at perspective (and especially the importance of nailing the eyeline!) and a few general approaches to adding tone and colour. We were sitting on a grass area opposite the Garrison Church so had a good view of a wedding that was going on. The various wedding guests walking across the wide road in front of the church was a great example of how you can 'hang people off an eyeline' - I think a few of us were interested in the outfits worn as well! <br />
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Once the wedding had cleared out we crossed the road and looked back to the end of a row of terraces along Argyle Place (sorry I omitted to take a photo of the building we were sketching). Trying to conquer perspective in a single afternoon is a challenge - especially as most buildings on location are not simple boxes on totally flat ground. Once again I was very impressed with the work produced and the fact that everyone seemed to grasp the basic principles and all the lines were going in the right direction!<br />
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What a great day and amazing group of sketchers - a number are just beginning their creative journey with pen and sketchbook in hand. Sketching architecture isn't the easiest but with a few basic principles and an healthy attitude towards accuracy and wonkiness (ie. don't stress about distortions) I hope that they will all have more courage to have a go and have fun. Most importantly, keep sketching and sketch the buildings or parts of buildings that you like, that you respond to. Have confidence in your own response and be more concerned about your personal dialogue with the building rather than worrying about the 'correctness' of your lines on the page.<br />
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I do hope to start sharing more of the content of these classes in the new year.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkb6lUX8pKEQbDUo97hg_q_JefSMnGuJQUN9ceKe1RPg1gbRhB2f4H70-tLA6JiGTiY3DoHzAiuJonMvg5LFwcYPAyPp1x84ObGf1y6WcYURKZrhxu7e8nfuHjpOp7uwrKIcQn6n9iRxk/s1600/sSKArch+workshop+30Nov+Location3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkb6lUX8pKEQbDUo97hg_q_JefSMnGuJQUN9ceKe1RPg1gbRhB2f4H70-tLA6JiGTiY3DoHzAiuJonMvg5LFwcYPAyPp1x84ObGf1y6WcYURKZrhxu7e8nfuHjpOp7uwrKIcQn6n9iRxk/s640/sSKArch+workshop+30Nov+Location3.jpg" height="448" width="640" /></a>Liz Steelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06180890583072227150noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1364075830278730131.post-91366573367381526422013-11-29T18:06:00.000+11:002016-02-24T13:20:09.122+11:00Sketching Architecture Wk 4 - Tone Colour and Texture<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Final (4th) week of my sketching architecture class in the Rocks - looking at tone and colour. A lot to cover in one morning so I did an overview.<br /><br />This week included:<br />1. how to map the light vs dark areas and then distinguish between what is shade and what is cast shadow.<br />2. How to get an arsenal together of standard watercolour mixes for architecture - I shared my favourite ones. And, as per my other classes this year, I showed how I like to work with juicy washes and often wet in wet - hitting it hard and leaving it.<br />3. Texture - how to decide how much to include and options for line vs colour.<br /><br />We then went outside to have some fun (and no perspective!) <br />
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<br />Thursday was a very warm sunny day. We headed to Susannah Place museum to look at the shadows and the textures of this historic collection of terrace houses. The sun moved quickly so we had to do value studies straight away and then had time to play with texture swatches. Trying to find areas in shade was a struggle and the security guard for the building we were using for shelter came to check what we were doing!<br />
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Friday was about 10C colder and raining…so not a great deal of tonal contrast visible but we still had fun exploring different ways to make textures with our watercolour and/or telling a story with one portion of the scene in front of us.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizQpkOs8jWQQdI-mzZfeX2t_pN2PhahZ6waZIFN3DqEhw4fYckHiDgcxkubGoEyZhdLdnj75ZGSW6kyJzYqXNMEA72D0dAOVAAOnZWRO7x4uHWH9sQ6evLX0GHAgZ52qpYTfNQ3uPziSg/s1600/sWeek4+Textures+Demo+Combo_640.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizQpkOs8jWQQdI-mzZfeX2t_pN2PhahZ6waZIFN3DqEhw4fYckHiDgcxkubGoEyZhdLdnj75ZGSW6kyJzYqXNMEA72D0dAOVAAOnZWRO7x4uHWH9sQ6evLX0GHAgZ52qpYTfNQ3uPziSg/s1600/sWeek4+Textures+Demo+Combo_640.jpg" /></a><br />
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<br />So much fun doing this course… and plan more in 2014.<br />
<br />Tomorrow I am doing a full day workshop summarising the content of this 4 week course- It will be a lot of fun whatever the Sydney weather is doing!<br />
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Thanks to everyone that we part of the class either on Thursday or Friday... what a keen and inspiring bunch of sketchers and it was a privilege to be able to share my approach to sketching architecture with you.Liz Steelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06180890583072227150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1364075830278730131.post-31170873193032079712013-11-22T16:37:00.001+11:002016-02-24T13:20:08.987+11:00Sketching Architecture Week 3: Perspective<br />
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This week was the big week!<br />
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Yes, I was teaching perspective in my Sketching Architecture classes in the Rocks. (this is a little doodle sketch I did during the class to show the main setup for our subject)<br />
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Based once again in our wonderful classroom in the Tea Cosy, we started doing some line exercises - looking at ways to draw some typical patterns that we see in buildings out on location. Some of these are tricks I have picked up from one drawing lesson I had in 2nd year of my architecture course. Some of these are included in James Richard's wonderful book "Freehand Drawing and Discovery".<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBVIcheOWMH0J1UiOSd3cEW7gpv7pkDxoY9xJTBxl4fSOITosfmrPQ4a6rrv37WjHCNlSLHUVSQq0uaKTUlKQUR7pQd1ehTL02k40cmmwmFS2WV1arfKgk_tVuKEmPpSaj4C5H7oxC-jo/s1600/Wk+3+Combo_s.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="578" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBVIcheOWMH0J1UiOSd3cEW7gpv7pkDxoY9xJTBxl4fSOITosfmrPQ4a6rrv37WjHCNlSLHUVSQq0uaKTUlKQUR7pQd1ehTL02k40cmmwmFS2WV1arfKgk_tVuKEmPpSaj4C5H7oxC-jo/s640/Wk+3+Combo_s.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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We then did a paper exercise with a photo before hitting the streets to draw a beautiful crisp sandstone warehouse. Both days we had very strong wind gusts to cope with as well and 'perspective lines'.<br />
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It is hard to find good examples of simple buildings on corners with good light and with shade on the other side of the street…so you can imagine how excited I was to find this! Everyone in the class learnt lots during the process of sketching this building and I think the results are amazing both days are. Many of the techniques were tested by trial and error!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTYUy3R9pwkg_5X6zJXwkMNhODbmtiLM3nyu74jm0mtkJc7yDxw2uusBCRb5tX6Fd5at2MIrTGYdE-kzc99X2xMJLurdWxBAdN_sz0jINPQguI1LSyGXy9BDrjLHaaazZbPXK-H81Rmtk/s1600/Wk+Thursdays.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTYUy3R9pwkg_5X6zJXwkMNhODbmtiLM3nyu74jm0mtkJc7yDxw2uusBCRb5tX6Fd5at2MIrTGYdE-kzc99X2xMJLurdWxBAdN_sz0jINPQguI1LSyGXy9BDrjLHaaazZbPXK-H81Rmtk/s640/Wk+Thursdays.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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It would require a number of very long blog posts to explain everything I shared this week but in essence I see perspective as a tool to set out the main framework for a sketch. Getting too technical, getting caught up in positioning all the lines perfectly, doing too much measuring and/or using a ruler kills the JOY of sketching for me. There are many wonderful artists out there who can achieve perfect perspective - but I am not one of them and am not trying to be. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwfgRMgtJh6mzUvxt2s4lFlFPjIGWqScczGqb9YwqMh7cFpiE1S9crLSGVNhD1SS4DaZk9igUvk-sVWPINtpx6ZCG-bivKy1-UXVtOSnhqkV0Ngn5m1LsOg0CjOxwQldXgSMnKyI13kK4/s1600/Wk+Fridays.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwfgRMgtJh6mzUvxt2s4lFlFPjIGWqScczGqb9YwqMh7cFpiE1S9crLSGVNhD1SS4DaZk9igUvk-sVWPINtpx6ZCG-bivKy1-UXVtOSnhqkV0Ngn5m1LsOg0CjOxwQldXgSMnKyI13kK4/s640/Wk+Fridays.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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So here are a few of my ideas:<br />
(I am not sure how much of it will make sense in bullet point- but hopefully you might be able to glean some things from it.)<br />
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- perspective guidelines are used for setting the main elements - but you need to be able to first work out what the main elements of the building are!<br />
- Use perspective to constrain out of whack or wonky lines but don't stress about wavy lines (ie. small variations in the details are ok - they add life to the sketch - but try to keep the overall as 'right' as possible)<br />
- eyeline (or horizon) is king! Everything is horizontal on the eyeline. This is a very powerful tool for sketching whether using perspective or not. It is the datum point that I use to locate all elements in my page. 'Hang' people off the eyeline.<br />
- Develop the ability to be able to draw evenly converging lines. This is one of the most important drawing skills to have...as well as being able to review what is on the page and see if it is consistent.<br />
- Don't need vanishing points! See this old post for my vanishing point-less approach to perspective and an amazing discussion on <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/borrominibear/6217108082/in/photostream/">flickr</a> . I still use Vanishing points, but don't stress if they are off the page.<br />
- The importance of the VIP - my term for the Very Important Perpendicular. This is the vertical leading edge that anchors and sets out for the whole sketch. I use it to measure the number storeys or major horizontal lines.<br />
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Ah - there was a lot more that we went through but I think this list is long enough for starters.Liz Steelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06180890583072227150noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1364075830278730131.post-70711397112121292602013-11-18T22:53:00.002+11:002016-02-24T13:20:09.072+11:00Perspective 'scribbles'<br />
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As we will be looking at perspective this week in my sketching architecture classes I thought I better do a little warmup. Sketching from an architectural magazine - in some ways I find this harder than sketching on location as I don't engage with the building as well and I have to deal with distortion from camera lenses. Sketching from magazines and books is an important part of the design inspiration sketchbook that all architects are supposed to keep - something I have had many start stop attempts at doing regularly.<br /><br />But getting back to perspective - I have my own simplified approach which I will share with my class… and it is best to do perspective setups slowly and carefully.(ie. if one believes in doing setups and I know some people have a hard and fast rule against that) But I am not in that mood tonight so I went very quickly. I do want to do some more without any setup at all but I thought some of you might like to see my red line setups as it explains the process a little better.<br /><br />These drawings were done in a few minutes each. I am using what I call my 'design sketching" style - very rapid fast confident line - confident in its start and stop but it is not always in the exact 'correct' position and so I reinstate when I need to. These are totally exploratory sketches. I am exploring the design of the building as I draw it.<br /><br />I am really looking forward to sharing my thoughts on perspective with my classes this week…I am really hoping for a dry Thursday and Friday morning. I have found the perfect building with great lighting… but there are some other good things to draw if it does rain.Liz Steelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06180890583072227150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1364075830278730131.post-86119399589874351652013-11-15T16:41:00.003+11:002016-02-24T13:20:09.101+11:00Sketching Architecture in The Rocks: Week 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Centrelines, edges, thickness and depths…<br />
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Week 2 we took perspective totally out of the equation and sat directly opposite some lovely buildings along George St in order to focus on these aspects of drawing architecture. This stretch of the road has a lovely variety of buildings and I let everyone choose which one they wanted to sketch. The easy looking ones still proved a challenge -especially getting the proportions right throughout and allowing for the right thicknesses of the various components - but by working systematically everyone was able to produce a wonderful sketch.<br />
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja1rY8gfNPgj8mgSUCDY6-BUBSwoiOE_-0L4Dg2ZHE0KWYKTQ6SoaHtMi7leAJC9wOFFZvDb4RCglnXWOA3gQKKNfokK0tLY1DA0ByAyaZbG9JgYCvz4rh4e3l9UNB7uGK5hqP9JbEZr8/s1600/Wk2+Friday_900.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="610" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja1rY8gfNPgj8mgSUCDY6-BUBSwoiOE_-0L4Dg2ZHE0KWYKTQ6SoaHtMi7leAJC9wOFFZvDb4RCglnXWOA3gQKKNfokK0tLY1DA0ByAyaZbG9JgYCvz4rh4e3l9UNB7uGK5hqP9JbEZr8/s640/Wk2+Friday_900.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br />
I encourage working from the overall shape to the major structure divisions and making sure that adequate thicknesses have been included (columns, ledges, horizontal banding, edges of roofs etc) before having fun with the detail.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsb-WSACMTLyClN6jmRiWje7Wgzk9jtn8CY23DQ2QOzud19NzhGwEAruJ5UmIzZSQLx_kapWtUk21pFxduXhnYrMruvgGqxTB1I5qqTp6zyJXwT39DAqxUhT19tbBxlG_6MilOb9Sfi0A/s1600/Wk2+Sketches_640.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsb-WSACMTLyClN6jmRiWje7Wgzk9jtn8CY23DQ2QOzud19NzhGwEAruJ5UmIzZSQLx_kapWtUk21pFxduXhnYrMruvgGqxTB1I5qqTp6zyJXwT39DAqxUhT19tbBxlG_6MilOb9Sfi0A/s1600/Wk2+Sketches_640.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Next week we will finally get around to perspective! I think that the skills learnt today (building on those from last week) will make some simple perspective rules a lot easier. Can't wait…<br /><br />Once again I am so inspired by the work done by everyone in the class on both Thursday and Friday and very happy that numerous people really had fun and enjoyed their sketching this week!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzunALSD9OCSBNETM7SnqFeS7bry8Zssh_XuoCCtFWn9ebx5jRtvON0ujD2_danAnEBxhY4GGoVXye5WMZxHHny_-v6UBr2fbBWdl_hIOjKqcDfu0IMbNPYK0-T_3zLaGf39XqRiBFxXE/s1600/Wk2+Thursday_900.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="624" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzunALSD9OCSBNETM7SnqFeS7bry8Zssh_XuoCCtFWn9ebx5jRtvON0ujD2_danAnEBxhY4GGoVXye5WMZxHHny_-v6UBr2fbBWdl_hIOjKqcDfu0IMbNPYK0-T_3zLaGf39XqRiBFxXE/s640/Wk2+Thursday_900.jpg" width="640" /> </a><br />
And BTW it was really fun to be able to show my class this image during the week ... thinking of planning a new course next year on styles of architecture and ways to draw them.<br />
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Liz Steelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06180890583072227150noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1364075830278730131.post-21019136769646158912013-11-13T08:03:00.001+11:002016-02-24T13:20:08.974+11:00Doing homework....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaDes-3hsOXdtLRZJ2jTBWCWgk2IyhpEHSakUiJdRBjrKcI5jtpSZYJ9cknmkpD1uKGZtojPk2X6pRPrPf1T_Z1MoTsx-u5NnsRmYqt6RC_CiSY_mTT1s7NpWatxMmyhyphenhyphenwjnEwOfz3Fl0/s1600/Wk+1+Before+and+After_640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaDes-3hsOXdtLRZJ2jTBWCWgk2IyhpEHSakUiJdRBjrKcI5jtpSZYJ9cknmkpD1uKGZtojPk2X6pRPrPf1T_Z1MoTsx-u5NnsRmYqt6RC_CiSY_mTT1s7NpWatxMmyhyphenhyphenwjnEwOfz3Fl0/s1600/Wk+1+Before+and+After_640.jpg" /></a></div><br />
It is really great to see that some of the class went home and finished off their sketches… and don't they look great!<br />
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When sketching on location it is easy to start to beat yourself up about how wonky it is, how wrong the proportions or perspective is but if you keep going with the it and add all the details and then add strong tones and colours to it… you will end up with a great looking sketching.<br />
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A few people also did another version once they go home. While their originals were god sometimes you do learn a lot by revisiting a sketch - I always learn a lot by having anohter go!<br />
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I have included the photos of the works as they were at the end of the class (this was a 45 minute exercise… although I did a quick intro and demo in that tie as well)<br />
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Really looking forward to Week 2 (Thursday and Friday)<br />
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A reminder that I am doing a <a href="http://sketchingarchitecture.blogspot.com.au/2013/10/sketching-architecture-classes-rocks.html">1 day Sketching Architecture workshop</a> as well - condensed version of this material - on Saturday 30 Nov. There are still a few spots available so please <a href="mailto:lizsteel@gmail.com">email</a> me if you are interested.<br />
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Liz Steelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06180890583072227150noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1364075830278730131.post-28862653857713209852013-11-08T19:14:00.004+11:002016-02-24T13:20:08.984+11:00Sketching Architecture in the Rocks:Week 1<br />
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Well, this week was the first in my Sketching Architecture course of 4 weeks, based in the Rocks, Sydney. I am running the class on a Thursday and a Friday morning. It was really fun to do the same class back to back like this and I am especially excited about the opportunity to put together 4 consecutive lessons - each building on the previous. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYTS2Oy-rPmWn_9L00XDigk8gcwhNPaoMgNrUDI550rovkw5vNPeAc3hNrIfmlGwsNtlX3Qu9fK2TaVxgZKaFbRqIwmGNII5RTRPVfmB7Ke2Y93d4lRTycpRhcZ-e2SUSj_QPfbCscGTo/s1600/Week1+Tea+Cosys.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYTS2Oy-rPmWn_9L00XDigk8gcwhNPaoMgNrUDI550rovkw5vNPeAc3hNrIfmlGwsNtlX3Qu9fK2TaVxgZKaFbRqIwmGNII5RTRPVfmB7Ke2Y93d4lRTycpRhcZ-e2SUSj_QPfbCscGTo/s640/Week1+Tea+Cosys.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />Each week we start inside doing some 'theory' and paper exercises and I am very happy to be using the upstairs room of the wonderful Tea Cosy tearoom as our classroom. It is very strange to be in there and NOT to draw my cup of tea, cosied pot and scones… but we have architecture on our minds!<br /><br />This first week I laid the foundation. Just for the record, I only mentioned perspective in passing… I also was not concerned about perfect proportion either - both of these will be addressed in future classes! Instead we looked at a way to see buildings forms better in order to give us confidence to have a go at a complicated building - starting with the big picture (the main volumes) and not allowing ourselves to get sidetracked by the details. <br /><br />In the classroom we drew Notre Dame in 5 minutes - ok it was more like 10 minutes and I think everyone found this fun ...it certainly was very achievable!<br />
<br />What was a little more daunting was the building I choose for them to draw once we got out on location… one of the most complicated buildings in the Rocks!? The Australasian Steam Navigation Building located
on the corner of Hickson Road and George Street. Warehouse and office building designed by William Wardell in the
Federation Anglo-Dutch style and completed in 1884.<br />
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw1q6pdW2EdJodQu2q1KikBMQChK3KAXPTn8M9xoNxvz1wSr0ZSCrzyKD8cHhqrS-3uYIbPceEs0FRE0ole0kIBc9Ggheuqsw4x1lLo19FC8sdQZJ0m8wdspD7S1JjfWuUHjNqbJQDO1Q/s1600/Week+1+Sketches_s.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw1q6pdW2EdJodQu2q1KikBMQChK3KAXPTn8M9xoNxvz1wSr0ZSCrzyKD8cHhqrS-3uYIbPceEs0FRE0ole0kIBc9Ggheuqsw4x1lLo19FC8sdQZJ0m8wdspD7S1JjfWuUHjNqbJQDO1Q/s640/Week+1+Sketches_s.jpg" width="568" /></a><br /><br />
Starting the the overall forms, everyone was able to produce a sketch that really captures the essence of the building and we shared lots of tricky bits along the way. The use of coloured pencil setups is a 'week 1 specialty' that enables us all to see the process that everyone went through while they were sketching. Both groups did amazing jobs and as usual, I love the way we all learn so much from each other!<br /><br />Next week we will become more accurate …but still have a lot of fun!<br />Liz Steelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06180890583072227150noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1364075830278730131.post-60023654825097488822013-11-05T21:47:00.000+11:002016-02-24T13:20:09.049+11:00Complex buildings are fun - The Louvre<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuXwR2_hUwUNFy8y2f9B3_LI3FjSA6yj1Y8dVlZZZV-lBQHixeOeVax3E4IpEwpGwi60ANj7Sv9k3YOrcdyE8NY_Q09eZrTZ9HPcbj-whrJIykzFQ2905XwkPcjz2wASzOyNUZ5HacjQc/s1600/sParis02_03+Louvre.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuXwR2_hUwUNFy8y2f9B3_LI3FjSA6yj1Y8dVlZZZV-lBQHixeOeVax3E4IpEwpGwi60ANj7Sv9k3YOrcdyE8NY_Q09eZrTZ9HPcbj-whrJIykzFQ2905XwkPcjz2wASzOyNUZ5HacjQc/s640/sParis02_03+Louvre.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Just going through some old sketchbooks I came across this sketch from my first serious sketching trip in 2009 - 3 weeks in the UK and 1 week in Paris with my great sketching buddy <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/see_eza/sets/72157625087383465/with/4029902524/">Esther</a>.<br />
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This is a rare black and white sketch - I don't do many of them do I? The reason is that I lost my paint tin on the flight to Paris....but this is really besides the point.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3q3Ttglhh6mZw8Jt1gIRuZgUgGz5XFtjHML0ionXQOeO8iCm_87I4OKvPx-AzqhY87D-04cxtcQqJBRzYNFKeviQDqQzAkD2G2SKncfbPLKrE0P5cn9N8AmTJ_vtaldlOn6uS2no7YX4/s1600/sParis02_04+Jardin+de+luxembourg+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3q3Ttglhh6mZw8Jt1gIRuZgUgGz5XFtjHML0ionXQOeO8iCm_87I4OKvPx-AzqhY87D-04cxtcQqJBRzYNFKeviQDqQzAkD2G2SKncfbPLKrE0P5cn9N8AmTJ_vtaldlOn6uS2no7YX4/s640/sParis02_04+Jardin+de+luxembourg+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
The thing that I want to share is the mud map that I did before attempting the sketch. This was the way that I explored the building for myself - the way I got to know it. After doing this diagram I found the main sketch a lot easier.... fun!<br />
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The more I sketch the less I need to do diagrams like this as I my observational skills develop all the time, but if I am presented with a highly complex building, it is really the only way to get to know. <br />
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<br />Liz Steelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06180890583072227150noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1364075830278730131.post-50721786406567916492013-10-30T09:27:00.002+11:002016-02-24T13:20:09.033+11:00Simplifying forms of complicated buildings<br />
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Last week I was in the Rocks - casing the joint for my upcoming classes on Sketching architecture and getting excited at all the options available there! One of my favourite buildings in the Rocks area is the Australasian Steam Navigation Company building. "An unusually picturesque and exuberant" polychromic brick building by William Wardell (quote from Jahn's Sydney Architecture guide book)... so after I had planned my classes I sat down to sketch it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit9VpU5h4ibMLy1Jsre3s9vDkFNi6XqXYSQ727o-Gpy0lel9NgXD9KByVDZI2s5NF_bgiGtcX9bYHTOj7LCvSs55d3fQILC1by92B9SoNoIoqkdKK0t48n727-TYofz_DbUU0uqOOVBGc/s1600/131024+ASN+building+1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="513" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit9VpU5h4ibMLy1Jsre3s9vDkFNi6XqXYSQ727o-Gpy0lel9NgXD9KByVDZI2s5NF_bgiGtcX9bYHTOj7LCvSs55d3fQILC1by92B9SoNoIoqkdKK0t48n727-TYofz_DbUU0uqOOVBGc/s640/131024+ASN+building+1.jpg" width="640" /></a> <br />
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Here are my first two steps... which clearly show how I constructed my sketch. I didn't use any persepctive guidelines at all - instead I used a simplified outline of the main forms of the building as my setup - drawing the shapes as I saw them.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBZkEIBfuAypMQKMvYrqieNzK50UCppH9Jr12XsQVxsHYqW8ORCFT1nBRowJQrcUKDUuV0Gkq-67myVw_8KTo95Ue9ybbHoET-_MM1DJGZizVYN7_CRa3W2psyjD_i0xUzA9SC3LoKuYs/s1600/131024+ASN+building+2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="504" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBZkEIBfuAypMQKMvYrqieNzK50UCppH9Jr12XsQVxsHYqW8ORCFT1nBRowJQrcUKDUuV0Gkq-67myVw_8KTo95Ue9ybbHoET-_MM1DJGZizVYN7_CRa3W2psyjD_i0xUzA9SC3LoKuYs/s640/131024+ASN+building+2.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Next I mapped the light and dark areas and then had fun drawing with my ink pen and then splashing watercolour over the top.<br />
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This approach is one of the things that we will be looking at detail both in the 4 week course and the 1 day workshop coming up. I will also explain perspective... but I firmly believe that you don't <b>need</b> to use it. It is incredibly useful and a tool to help you - but you should never become a slave to the fear of it!<br />
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I still have places available for my 4 week course Thursday mornings 07-28 Nov or the one day workshop on Saturday 30 Nov. Please email <a href="mailto:lizsteel@gmail.com">me</a> if you are interested<br />
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Both of these classes are suitable for beginners as I will be starting with fundamental skills (yes, how to draw a straight line if you want to - though once again, straight lines are not the most important thing!)<br />
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I would love you to join me and the other great group of sketchers that have already signed up.... I knw we will have a lot of fun.... yes! sketching architecture IS fun!<br />
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More details <a href="http://sketchingarchitecture.blogspot.com.au/2013/10/sketching-architecture-classes-rocks.html" target="_blank">here</a>Liz Steelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06180890583072227150noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1364075830278730131.post-61144219683332629672013-10-22T19:07:00.002+11:002016-02-24T13:20:09.052+11:00My Architecture Sketchbook article<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCfk_XxZpbbskkJPte6daxm3IhIkSIumZFSa1GPcuIse4b1cY94135ocPp14sPlmrCNySJ2ecerRQUyI2382br-butPADFlSF1zMx2P0KEI1YSs7PhYc-CXyXJ9rR1ns8tYQLZnpvbXPE/s1600/s130822+Architecture+sketchbook+A&I.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><br />
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I am pleased to share my article on Sketching Architecture that I wrote for the UK magazine Artists & Illustrators. I am very thankful that one of my blog followers sent me a copy of it in the mail today as it is not a magazine that I see in the stores here (it is available but not that common)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCfk_XxZpbbskkJPte6daxm3IhIkSIumZFSa1GPcuIse4b1cY94135ocPp14sPlmrCNySJ2ecerRQUyI2382br-butPADFlSF1zMx2P0KEI1YSs7PhYc-CXyXJ9rR1ns8tYQLZnpvbXPE/s1600/s130822+Architecture+sketchbook+A&I.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCfk_XxZpbbskkJPte6daxm3IhIkSIumZFSa1GPcuIse4b1cY94135ocPp14sPlmrCNySJ2ecerRQUyI2382br-butPADFlSF1zMx2P0KEI1YSs7PhYc-CXyXJ9rR1ns8tYQLZnpvbXPE/s640/s130822+Architecture+sketchbook+A&I.jpg" height="444" width="640" /></a><br />
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Here is the article….<br />
it is a good summary of some of the things that I will be sharing in my upcoming Sketching Architecture classes/workshop. If you missed it.... details <a href="http://sketchingarchitecture.blogspot.com.au/2013/10/extra-sketching-architecture-class-and.html">here</a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMLFBn_PEAIf9TuyK0U6HjeFEOn-11wh7gIPDTrkcPtyTcfJZ4s7K0zuu1NdHrDC0mRtYRXWqwwWoOdfCrPOknddnXGEfXeGSOj9vvNOgTLsM_s_EjHbezQnIixmWqmiRGp91EmJDtAqQ/s1600/s131022+Architecture+sketchbook+A&I.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMLFBn_PEAIf9TuyK0U6HjeFEOn-11wh7gIPDTrkcPtyTcfJZ4s7K0zuu1NdHrDC0mRtYRXWqwwWoOdfCrPOknddnXGEfXeGSOj9vvNOgTLsM_s_EjHbezQnIixmWqmiRGp91EmJDtAqQ/s1600/s131022+Architecture+sketchbook+A&I.jpg" height="" width="640" /></a></div>Liz Steelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06180890583072227150noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1364075830278730131.post-4034836399806357652013-10-14T20:20:00.000+11:002016-02-24T13:20:09.008+11:00Extra Sketching Architecture class and workshop!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg2ueFZ-F_R7c2g1DxJmJgT8TR0ps5XmwmSKFV5bQ65PPbnD7q5zsWJICyyJ7rsGz9HpC40IXYl7Z5n46XpXCmQZNMXMvVPFQsLlZ6_u3tofWwQX8bz7DH6RyY7H25FhdJ0KaS3oWAJbA/s1600/SkA+Rocks+FlyerA_s.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg2ueFZ-F_R7c2g1DxJmJgT8TR0ps5XmwmSKFV5bQ65PPbnD7q5zsWJICyyJ7rsGz9HpC40IXYl7Z5n46XpXCmQZNMXMvVPFQsLlZ6_u3tofWwQX8bz7DH6RyY7H25FhdJ0KaS3oWAJbA/s640/SkA+Rocks+FlyerA_s.jpg" width="434" /></a></div>
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On location sketching classes or workshop in the Rocks Area - Sydney<br />
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As the Friday class is now full I have decided to offer it on a Thursday morning class as well....and also a full day Saturday workshop which will cover the same content as the 4 week class. <br />
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Please
let me know if you are interested in the Thursday class or going on the
waiting list for the Friday class (I expect there to be some movement
on a waiting list)<br />
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<b> 4 week course <br />Thursday mornings 07-28 Nov or Friday mornings 08 - 29 Nov. </b>Time: 10.00am - 1.30pm. Cost $150.00<br />
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<b>1 Full Day workshop<br />Saturday 30 November 2013 </b><br />
Time: 9.30am - 4.30pm Cost: $100.00<br />
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You
don’t need perfect perspective to draw buildings but you do need to
understand what you are looking at. This 4 week Friday course will help
you grasp the fundamentals of drawing architecture and have fun doing
it! I will share with you my system for drawing architecture which
involves seeing forms and structure and detail, describing edges and
using simple strategies for perspective. <br />
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Working with
ink and watercolour wash, we will also explore ways to sketch
architecture with lively lines and loose and colourful watercolour
washes. A series of exercises has been developed to help all levels of
participants progress from simple buildings to more elaborate
architecture.. and I will also be doing demonstrations each week to show
how it all fits together.<br />
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Extensive handouts will be issued to each participant of both the 4 week classes and the workshops. <br />
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<br />Liz Steelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06180890583072227150noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1364075830278730131.post-72616581939131357492013-10-03T20:55:00.000+10:002016-02-24T13:20:09.075+11:00Sub_urban sketching: Infill PorchAnother sketch in my Sub_urban sketching series. <br />
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<br />Another occasion when I started with the roof and didn't apply any rules of perspective - just drew the shapes of the roof as I saw them. And then projected the walls down. Once again I managed to park my car outside the most rundown house in the street…but it doesn't look as bad in my sketch!<br />Also I only used a triad of colours….more about this over here www. lizsteel.com<br /><br />Hope my little scribbly notes make sense.<br />A lot of the things that I have done on this sketch will be explained in my upcoming Sketching Architecture: The Rocks classes. More details just <a href="http://sketchingarchitecture.blogspot.com.au/2013/10/sketching-architecture-classes-rocks.html">below</a>Liz Steelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06180890583072227150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1364075830278730131.post-68294227233472894682013-10-01T20:46:00.000+10:002016-02-24T13:20:09.068+11:00Sketching Architecture Classes: The Rocks Sydney<br />
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<br />
I was planning on posting this before I went down to Melbourne for my workshops… but anyway… now I can say ….<br />
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Following on from the great fun we all had at my Sketching Architecture workshop at Melbourne University, I am very excited to announced that I will be running a <br />
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<b>Sketching Architecture 4 week course - on location sketching in the Rocks area Sydney. </b><br />
<b>Thursday or Friday mornings 06 - 29 Nov. 10.00am - 1.30pm.</b><br />
<b>Cost: $150.00 for the 4 weeks.</b><br />
and also a one day workshop <br />
<b>Saturday30 November 9.30am- 4.30pm (covering the smae content in the one day!)</b><br />
<b>Cost; $100.00</b><br />
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You don’t need perfect perspective to draw buildings but you do need to understand what you are looking at. This 4 week Friday course will help you grasp the fundamentals of drawing architecture and have fun doing it! I will share with you my system for drawing architecture which involves seeing forms and structure and detail, describing edges and using simple strategies for perspective. <br />
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Working with ink and watercolour wash, we will also explore ways to sketch architecture with lively lines and loose and colourful watercolour washes. A series of exercises has been developed to help all levels of participants progress from simple buildings to more elaborate architecture.. and I will also be doing demonstrations each week to show how it all fits together. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9S6I2bTNDf_UkN8nxCf7kSci0ERKmldQTbDSS3qT_wNTFT8Ev2ljCFnZRUzG6cfxqfkSmPhC4lzTWjAfLBd0jVAU1Num535QRaWBSwTjc3DjDjIJ1Yh_1UwYUHn91HhiogptKy9PMUCg/s1600/Garrison2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9S6I2bTNDf_UkN8nxCf7kSci0ERKmldQTbDSS3qT_wNTFT8Ev2ljCFnZRUzG6cfxqfkSmPhC4lzTWjAfLBd0jVAU1Num535QRaWBSwTjc3DjDjIJ1Yh_1UwYUHn91HhiogptKy9PMUCg/s640/Garrison2.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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The Rocks area has a wealth of varied architecture from which to find our subjects…and I am really excited to be running this class.<br />
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Please email <a href="mailto:lizsteel@gmail.com">me</a> if you are interested as spaces will be limited.<br />
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And although not in the Rocks ... I can't resist adding a SOH sketch to this post - it is seen from the Rocks area though!Liz Steelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06180890583072227150noreply@blogger.com0