B- Sketch Post
For this sketch, I tried to get a little adventurous. I really wanted to capture the light because it was so intensely shining behind and above it (and in my eyes), but I didn’t know how to capture it with pen without filling the entire page in ink. Solution? Break out the pencil. I did some minor shading with my pen for the very dark parts, as well as a few hints of pen strokes to indicate the orientation of the exterior material. I then went in with the side of my pencil to add some degree of shading to almost the entire building, given that it was technically all in shade. Lastly, I attempted to illustrate the halo-effect of the sun behind it by shading the most on the corners and least in the middle (kind of a vignette effect). Overall, I think using both pen and pencil led me to create a more effective sketch, and I think I’ll definitely do it again in the future.
My sketch of the Benedictine Monastery
I also used multiple mediums in one of my sketches and I loved how it turned out. At first I was a little wary whether the sketch would turn out too confusing or too overwhelming. However, when I saw the final product, I loved how it turned out; I used pencil, pen, poche marker, and water colors. I used it to show the courtyard at the Pre-Columbian Art Museum and it turned out wonderfully. I love how you incorporated the pencil to show the lighter shading and the pen to still show the darker shading. I also love how you made sure to incorporate the light from the sun because it highlights the building and all the morning light on it.
Belle,
I had difficulty figuring out how to go about drawing the monastery as well. In the end I decided to use all pencil, but my sketch turned out a bit too light for my liking and it was hard to see my lines very clearly. I really love that you thought to use pen and pencil together, that option has somehow skipped my mind thus far into the trip. Using pen for your outlines and vegetation only really made the structure pop and still let you show how bright white the light and the building both were. I may be stealing this tip in these next few days!
Hi Belle,
My favorite part of the monastery was the sublime effect created by the light coming through through the slipped planes. I completely understand your frustration in not knowing how to go about capturing this. I think that it’s almost impossible to recreate that awe feeling in a drawing because all your senses must be engaged. It’s at moments like this that you realize how precious architecture is and the incrediabe things that we can do with it. Your drawing is absolutely beautiful and your subtle shading really helps show the quality of light. Your method of using pens and pencils works really well. I would love to see an interior sketch with that method!