Tips for Drawing Buildings

I was recently asked to draw a courthouse that was given as a retirement gift to someone. I'm asked to draw buildings from time to time, so I was inspired to share some of my best advice on getting them to look good.

Learn the Basic Rules of Perspective

There are books full of perspective tricks and information that will allow you to do things like draw a flagpole 90 ft away and 60 ft high accurately. You don't necessarily need to know that kind of thing.

What you do need to know is how to draw in 1 and 2 point perspective. Learn about vanishing points and horizon lines. If you understand the way perspective works you will be able to keep the various elements of your drawing in perspective with one another.

Cheat

If you're asked to copy a photograph there is a great trick that will save you a ton of time.

Print the photo you're working from on a piece of paper (probably 8.5"x11"). If you're drawing on a larger piece of paper than 8.5"x11" do this: If you have Photoshop or something similar, set the photo size to the same dimensions as your drawing paper. Crop the image and set it up just as you plan to draw it. Then, reduce the canvas size to your print size.

Take your printed image and rub pencil all over the back. I like to use a fat piece of graphite (something I would load into a clutch). Once the graphite is all over the back you can lay your photo directly in the center of your drawing paper and tape it down. Draw over the image with a pencil. The graphite on the back of the photo will be transferred to your paper. You can do this to create a guideline to work from. I would suggest copying the lines as accurately as possible to save yourself some grief later on.

Remember to Interpret

It's easy to get caught up with the ruler and bust out straight line after straight line, forgetting that art is best when we inject a little personality. Don't forget to add some style.

No Right Angle Cross-Hatching
If you're shading with hatched lines make them cross at diagonals, not at right angles. If you don't believe me, try it.

Make Lines Straight, Not Perfect
Walls are straight on average, but if you get close you can see the imperfections...the notches and bumps. Do that.

Dramatize With Lighting
Use strong lighting to create a sense of drama and interest in a static object.

And that's all you get. Oh yeah, buy a triangle straight edge.