I can't seem to avoid Mottisfont and here's another sketch I did the other day. This time a full frontal! I arrived early on a very grey and overcast morning to meet colleagues and students from BA(Hons) Illustration course at Solent University for a day's drawing. I had around an hour and a half before they would arrive so sat on a conveniently placed bench and did this. The challenge was to make the view come to life even without sunlight and shadows - I added the lawn stripes for effect. Looking forward to the spring weather so I can get outside more - it's been a long winter!
Edward Burra: Landscape, Cornwall with Figures 1975
Just returned from Chichester after seeing the Edward Burra show at the Pallant House Gallery. Burra's masterful handling of watercolour and his superior draughtsmanship skills are truly inspirational. This exhibition explores the many aspects of his work from depictions of street life in Harlem to landscapes in Sussex all mainly produced in watercolour. From his early stylised figure compositions to more realistic representations, and in some cases at enormous scale, Burra's work never fails to impress. A must - ends 19 Feb - don't miss it!
...and here's the final approved version with minor details amended - spot the differences - there are 3!
Here's a thoughtful design with some existing and new build. The farm house and outbuildings to the left are not part of the development and so I left them faded to knock them back. Aerial views like this help to communicate an architect's vision as part of the planning process and go a long way in avoiding misunderstandings. Perfect subject matter for the medium of watercolour - I don't thnk this would have been as successful as a CGI (discuss!).
Here is the finished drawing in watercolour on 90lb Canson NOT paper.
I'm wearing my commercial hat at the moment and working on a range of projects for planning applications. Here's the process I use for an aerial view showing a lovely barn conversion for two dwellings in Northants. The first drawing was prepared using SketchUp to establish a basic view from plans supplied and approval from the client (1); the final pencil draft drawn traditionally (2) and the finished watercolour drawing (3).
A seasonal look to the Chapel with fairylights replacing roses round the door - just an insight to goings on last night at the Chapel Christmas bash. It was akin to Tim Burton's Nightmare Before Christmas when Design Chapel residents, friends and family invaded the Old Cemetery to light up God's Acre. Long term residents were not invited but I'm sure would have approved (and joined in if possible!). Happy Christmas!
A rather belated mention of the SAI drawing and rendering workshops held at the University of Bath in October. Given it was held on a saturday morning the turn-out was extraordinary. The Architecture seminar room was the venue for a series of workshops delivered by myself and four other SAI members to a packed audience of more than eighty B.Arch. undergraduates hungry to learn the masters' secrets! This is me in full flow: How to draw a peg in three easy lessons! Here's a link for more info: http://www.sai.org.uk/blog/?p=584