Loose linework

A few weeks ago I was experimenting with different types of linework when sketching architectural subjects (or anything for that matter) Well this evening I was practicing these on a photo of a building that I am very keen to sketch in real life... Sometimes it is hard to have the opportunity or the energy to get out to different parts of Sydney. Traditionally I use #1 or #4 when I have a complicated building in front of me and I am either too tired, ratty, my bag is too heavy, or running out of time (or all of the above) All four are great ways to loosen up as well.

Architectural Note Taking Sketching

Lutyens - A tangent

Snmichele - a tangent to a tangent!

Two quick note-taking sketches from the weekend... I read a great quote and wonder what building it refers to...I look up a few books from my library(a building I know little about) and it was influenced by another building (which I know even less about) so I look that up.... 10 books off the shelf now... where is the book I started reading???

The point of these sketches is to sketch as quickly as I can (so I can get back to reading my book) and also by the act of sketching to remember the important features of the building I was researching.

By the way, the book that I started to re-read (which started this adventure) for the 10th time is
The Classical Language of Architecture by John Summerson.
The BEST book that I read in my early years as an architecture student and a book that I would recommend to anyone to read who wants an introduction to Classical Architecture. I owe a lot to that book!

Architectural Elements: Windows

Here are a few random thoughts on drawing windows (it is not how to draw perfect perspective since this page contains a very bad example of perspective...unless I am drawing a very curiously angled window!?! )

I have been meaning to do this for a while- but seeing Kate Johnson's wonderful blog post on painting windows here has prompted me. On the top left corner is my Australian version (double hung federation green window in a Sydney sandstone wall) and the doodles illustrate some things that I have been thinking about lately.

To draw windows convincingly, one needs to consider the relationship between the window and the face of the wall - is it set back a long way (deep reveals) or is it flush or proud of the wall. Also where is the glass in relation to the frame? When you look a a wall from an angle do you see more of the window or more of the reveal?
What is the relationship between horizontal and vertical members.

Happy to answer any questions... as I am sure that my own personal thoughts are probably not all that self explanatory.

The 5 orders of Architecture

I am been intending to do this for years and years and years.
Despite a total lack of interest in Classical architecture as an architectural student, I did decide in my first year of working that I really should one day draw the five orders... well here is a pathetically loose and inaccurate sketch of all 5.

These orders (often just 3- Doric, Ionic and Corinthian) are used in classical architecture. Each one has its own proportional and special decorative system. If you want to sketch classical architecture it is good to have a basic understanding of these.
Stay tuned (you might have to wait a while) for more on each order and how the orders are used in buildings and how an understanding of this helps in sketching complicated buildings.

How loose can I go?

On Saturday I went into the city (downtown) for a bit of sketching. I felt the urge to do some architecture sketching and that is what I ended up doing! This was how I started.... A very complicated building in Martin Place.

After a good cup of tea and some yummy scones I decided to sketch this little gem on George St in the Rocks. I have sketched it before but never had the sun on it like this. It is only a small building but delightfully complicated
I tried to draw the line work as loose as I possibly could – without any regard (well, without much regard) to accuracy. As I have sketched this building before I already have a relationship with it so didn’t really need to study it much before I started scribbling. I was rather pleased with how it turned out

I then splashed on colour. I am trying to get lively washes – particularly in the shadow areas- trying to capture the warm glow that occurs in the shaded areas of the Sydney sandstone. Although I am a little happy with the effect in the archway- overall I wasn’t that keen with the end result... Maybe I added too much watercolour and the excitement of the linework is lost.

Anyway... The process got me thinking and I am going to experiment a bit more..... Stay turned!

Its all Greek to me..,,

I have been having a break from posting but still trying to do a spread a day in my sketchbook to record the random events of the day. These two pages, from a few weeks ago start a little adventure I plan to have during my evening post dinner cup of tea. I am going to start exploring what I see as essential elements of architecture. Having a knowledge of these things help enormously when sketching architecture.

I am going to start with the classical orders (fancy name for different types of columns and the bits on the top) There are 3 of them: Doric, Ionic and Corinthian ... In fact they became five during the renaissance (tuscan and composite were added) My history of architecture is not to be totally trusted and will be ultra simplified but I will try not to be too incorrect. The 3 orders were codified by the Romans...but they got them from the Greeks. So I am starting with the Greek Doric.

Anyway... Here are my fun, too late at night, sketches of the Doric order. Including the mistakes I made along the way because I drew first and looked second!?!

When I posted the above page on flickr, Maarten pointed out that I was a little narrow in my definition of THE orders. Last night I could find any Chinese, Aztec or Mayan columns easily in my library BUT I found these....
So I hope I didn’t offend any one in this regard?!?! I am very grateful to Maarten for pointing my shortcomings... It is great to get such feedback and to then lead me down a little tangent...so thanks!!!

Sketching complicated roof forms

This was a very challenging roof to draw! But rather than stressing about getting the perspective perfect, I am starting to be confident that my loose linework and paint can sometimes hide the wonkiness. The question is how much wonkiness can you get away with?

I like to drive around suburban blocks looking for houses that catch my eye. Sketching from the comfort and security of my car!

Many hideously overscaled new houses...so this one stood out this afternoon and it also fits in with the USK AUS monthly theme of Roofscapes. Yes.... we have decided to have our own monthly theme...for more details visit our flickr or facebook.
www.facebook.com/pages/Urban-Sketchers-Australia/29145153...
www.flickr.com/groups/uskaustralia/

I think I will try some more complicated roofscapes in the next few weeks.