Architects' Sketchbooks

Product Information

As the name suggests, these pens deliver a fine line which is perfect for detailed architectural sketching. Many architects swear by Sakura’s Pigma Micron pens, which come in a range of nib sizes and whose ink famously never bleeds. Markers The receptibility of this sketchbook is amazing since we have tried all sorts of inks and media and it doesn’t smudge any. It is also quite smooth to work on, especially with a pencil. The answer is both yes and no. There’s no getting away from the fact that sketching is a fundamental skill for architects: it’s how we communicate with others, especially in the initial stages of the design process, because a building is far too complex to be discussed with words.

Taking it down one more level, aim to see the building as a series of edges or lines. Mark them out softly, keeping in mind their relative lengths and distances from each other, then start to fill in more details. Start with what interests you Let’s be honest, we all have digital files coming out our ears of various things … since starting this blog I have over 10,000 images that I’ve created for use and probably 10x that many that I decided not to use. Do I remember them all? Not even close but there is a diary aspect to the posts that I’ve written that have helped me catalog the passage of time over the last 5 years. I think maintaining sketchbooks – as opposed to creating digital images – work in much the same manner. As mentioned above, a roll of tracing paper is a lifesaver because you can copy and correct earlier drawings. Handy hint: if rolls of paper annoy you by curling up as you draw, slightly flatten the cardboard tube. Architect’s scale (aka drafter’s rule) Journal. (2019). 12 Top Notebooks for Architects and Designers – Architizer Journal . [online] Available at: https://architizer.com/blog/practice/details/12-notebooks-for-designers/ [Accessed 26 Sep. 2021]. The visual appeal also greatly matters to designers when selecting sketchbooks or notebooks. A sketchbook with a good weight and high-quality paper can handle art mediums well and isn’t too much of a hassle to carry is usually the making of a good sketchbook.Binding – The kind of binding mostly depends on how you are going to use the book. Spiral binding is sufficient if you want your sketchbook to lie down flat as you work. The hardbound alternative is durable since it does not warp or bend. The square design of the book allows for easy sharing of images to social media platforms without cropping Before attempting to draw something as complex as a building, it’s a good idea to practise perspective drawing on simple household objects. Do a little and often, and it should soon become intuitive. They are also made at the end of a project to show a building as it actually looks, rather than how it was expected to look from the working drawings. Learning and developing key techniques for architectural sketching

However, due to their small size, they do not allow you to work on large drawings and add detail. Bigger-sized sketchbooks, however, can be very hard to carry around and are usually kept in one place, whether it be in a studio or at home. However, due to their paper size, they provide a lot more areas for you to draw in and hence allow you to add more depth and detail to your work. Is an A4 or A5 sketchbook better? This book by David Drazil showcases sketches of 100 different buildings from their initial lines stage to the final image. This book helps its reader understand the building stages of a sketch. Sketching by hand is also naturally collaborative, since a sheet of paper can be passed between people and modified as ideas develop. It’s like learning another language I couldn’t resist including this picture because it actually accompanies the Villa Capra sketches up above. That’s young Michael on the far left and he is actually standing in the grassy field that front Villa Capra and he was actually sketching the sketches you see above.The book can also be used with charcoal and graphite apart from the wet mediums, making it versatile in medium choice. Kelley, A.J. (2021). Notebooks for designers: The best paper planners and sketchbooks . [online] HowJoyful. Available at: https://www.howjoyful.com/notebooks-for-designers/ [Accessed 26 Sep. 2021].

Humans and Trees: An Architectural Sketch is incomplete without humans and vegetation. This chapter includes figures of different heights to teach the basics of proportions and volume. Shading and Shadows: Understanding how light interacts with forms and spaces is crucial. Practice different shading techniques to create depth and contrast in your drawings. We often use sketches to develop our thoughts, in the same way that some writers claim to think by writing. And of course, we produce drawings as guidelines for others, such as engineers and builders, who work alongside us on a project. Why is architectural sketching important?

The table of contents put forward multiple sketching concepts that give an overview and a definite perception of architectural sketching. It starts right from line and shape, touching upon 2D drawings and tours to more depth i.e. with chapters on Texture and Tone. Furthermore, the chapters become more challenging with lessons on 3D drawings, like Form and Structure, Space and Depth. Cost – The prices of the books are varied depending on the brand, size, and quality. Choose the sketchbook that is conveniently priced and is affordable. This book by Francis Dk Ching is a precise guide to learn about architectural sketching in its entirety. The design drawing is a classic book that imparts teachings on hand drawing. This book focuses on the freedom of expression and formulation of ideas that an architect heaves through sketching. Sketching and Architecture are 2 sides of the same coin. The architectural sketch itself may look like something Picasso drew in his sleep ( Zaha Hadid!) or like a 5-year-old’s crayon drawing (Sorry Cesar Pelli). But it still stands to be the perfect medium, the first representation of an Architects’ creativity, imagination, and design philosophies, amalgamating to form the initial and raw image of the final product.