Step-by-Step Drawing Lesson of Buildings
Art Lesson on How to Draw Buildings by Plotting and Measuring
Nov 6, 2009
Learning how to sketch buildings for the first time may pose a challenge for some students, but the art teacher must ensure that each learner experience success with their learning, whether or not they are able to get to grips with every aspect of the drawing exercise.
How to Sketch Buildings
The art teacher may allow for differentiation within the art lesson plan for less able students by simple drawing exercises of cuboids. More able students may tackle pictures of a cluster of buildings. This demonstration consists of a simplified line drawing of St. Mary’s Church in Stratford Upon Avon, England, offering various challenges for the students.
Art Resources
The art students require the following materials for the drawing exercise.
- A simple image of a cluster of buildings
- Pencils
- Erasers
- Paper
- Rulers
Learn to Draw by Plotting Measurements
- The students must firstly find a common measurement within the image, starting with the biggest. In this case, the height of the church is roughly the same as its width (fig 1).
- The students may use their rulers to draw a line on the paper representing the foundations of the buildings and another for its height. In this respect, the composition will be square.
- Further, the centre of the composition can easily be worked out. The students can now draw the centre point from which the rest of the composition can be worked out.
Drawing Technique of Buildings
When plotting out the rest of the image, it is a good idea to make small marks that can easily be rubbed out, as not everything will fit neatly. In this case, the main tower is located just to the right of the image, so the students may roughly sketch its location.
- The width of the main tower equals half its height (fig 2). The students may discover this for themselves when using their rulers
- Furthermore, the annex extending from the tower to the left of the image, is half as deep as its length
- The total width of the annex to the right of the image equals the height of the church roof
- The students may continue to find common measurements within the drawing
Drawing the Vanishing Point
- If the horizon cannot be seen, the students may sketch an imaginary line representing the horizon, remembering that the horizon is always at eye level (fig 2).
- Any aspect of the building that falls below the horizon line will have angles that appear to recede upwards towards a vanishing point, as can be seen from the base of the church. A structure that lies above the horizon, such as the top of the church tower, will generate an angle that appears to recede downwards towards the vanishing point.
- A structure lying on or near the horizon line will generate a shallow or negligible angle.
Sketching Detailed Drawings
With the basic plotting complete, the students may begin to sketch in detail with ease (fig 3). Opportunities for individual expression can be obtained when sketching in windows, trees and bricks.
Drawing Tuition of Buildings
Plotting accurately the basic angles and main proportions of buildings is what lies behind successful drawing, and is more important than the detail. Every student will be able to experience success with their drawings if the teacher allows for differentiation and is at hand to assist during difficulty, particularly with issues regarding the vanishing point and plotting.
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