Tips for Drawing and Rendering

by

Zean Mair-Macfarlane
Author's Note

It's finally here. A book that gives students and

professionals drawing tips for the design and
architecture industry. This book compiles tips for hand
drawing, rendering and graphics.

As creative's we need to give ourselves a checklist.

Are there things we are forgetting that could enhance
our drawings? That's the aim of this book is to give
you a different perspective to drawing. 100 Inspiring
tips that provide you with ways to improve your style,
techniques and creativity.

Zean Mair-Macfarlane
2016
The Author

Zean Mair-Macfarlane completed his architecture

Master degree at the university of Lincoln (United
Kingdom). Macfarlane was able to gain a distinction in
his degree along with a RIBA Student Silver Medals
Nomination. Macfarlane has worked at renowned
practices such as Foster+Partners and David Collins
Studio.
 Shadows

Shadows are a very important part of drawing. They

can add depth and ambience to your work. There are
several tips to keep in mind when applying shadows.
The lightness and subtleness of a shadow. Is it a soft,
natural shadow? Or a dark, sharp graphical shadow?
 Light

Light goes hand in hand with shadows. In my opinion

Light and shade are the two key techniques to
producing great drawings. Ask yourself where is the
light coming from? How is the shadow effected by the
light? What type of light is it? Is it a strong artificial light
or a warm natural light?
 Negative Space

Sometimes we can draw objects without drawing the

object.
 Proportions

Knowing your proportions is a great skill to constantly

master. It goes hand in hand with perspective. How big
is the person in contrast to the building? How is your
work displayed in proportion to the page?
 Symmetry

There's a beauty in symmetry. I'm always testing my

graphical eye to identify what works and what doesn't.
In my opinion being symmetrical doesn't always mean
that the two sides have to be identical. Another way to
describe this tip is finding the "balance".
 Contrast

Contrast is a broad topic to discuss in a book of 100

tips. But in summary contrast can be a battle between
light and dark, colours in general, or the contrasting of
features within a drawing. While your reading why not
have a play with your contrast settings on Photoshop?
 Photoshop Brushes

Not only a secret weapon to save on time. But when

used correctly they can enhance a render, diagram or
drawing. Photoshop brushes come in packages. From
silhouettes of people, to brushes for effects.
 Textures

The obvious tip would be to talk about materials but it

doesn't stop there. I use textures taken from just about
anything. From photos of paper, to photos of the sky.
Any texture that holds the effect I am looking for gets
merged into my drawings to create the final piece.
 Collage

Mentioned in my previous books and blogs. I love

collage. It's a great way to collate ideas efficiently. I
recommend researching into the great artists of the
cubism era. In fact it's probably worth researching the
topic as a whole. There are always new and exciting
techniques being tested every day.
 Layering

If it's layers in Photoshop or layering physical

drawings. There is a skill to building upon a drawing
with layers. I tend to see my drawings just like
architecture. Start with a good foundation, apply a
main form and perfect the details.
 Technical

Technical doesn't have to mean boring. There are

many designers out there who turn technical drawings
into works of art. Sometimes the beauty of turning a
technical drawing into a work of art is to make it more
understandable. Ever looked at a technical drawing
and thought, "what am I meant to be looking at?" Use
your artistic qualities to make the unreadable,
readable.
 Environment

The environment is an ongoing inspiration. In fact it's

easy to get carried away with it when you realise just
what the environment includes. It's one thing to
capture the birds in the sky... What about trying to
capture the breeze in the air?
 AutoCad

Autocad is just another tool, no different from the

pencil in your hand. Once you get over the shortcuts,
options and toolbars take a deep breath and realise
you control the software.
 Animation

Animation is becoming more and more popular.

Especially within the architectural realm. Don't miss
the boat. Animation just got easier, you can now create
animations in Photoshop!
 Plugins

The power of plugins are really changing our industry.

I personally keep it basic with sketchup plugins, but
the world is your oyster.
 Grids

Grids are a great way to soften a drawing. Used in the

right way they can reduce the harshness of a drawing
by taking the focus away from an object.
 Hatches

I find that hatches are a great finishing touch to a

drawing. Hand in hand with texture, hatches can also
add a little more depth and ambience to a piece.
 Masking

Masking, cropping or using the lasso tool. Drawings

are simply a series of shapes that can be copied or
manipulated. The key is to utilise these shapes to
capture your desired idea or concept.
 Overlap

Overlapping work is particularly useful when you want

a flat image to appear 3D. You can play with the
opacity to improve the effect.
 Mix Mediums

There's a skill to be able to combine a series of

techniques in one composition. Have a practice with
what techniques work together and which do not.
Remember everyone has their own style!
 Scan

I appreciate the scanner as I often incorporate hand

drawings into my work. It's also a great way to store
your drawings.
 Light boxes

Another tool which is very useful. A method that is

being used a lot in the architectural industry is to 3D
model your building and then to trace over your design
to give a personal touch to your work.
 Photography

Following on from my tip on textures, photography is a

great way to capture some of these textures. A top tip
is to check out "macro photography" for immense
detail.
 Music

Some may not find the benefits to this tip. Some may
really relate to it. I think music is one of my biggest
inspirations. It doesn't only have an effect on the style
of your work but the mood of it. Use music to your
advantage.
 Painting

Painting along with drawing is one of the crafts that will

never die. Even if you aren't very good at painting it's
worth a go. If fine detailed paintings aren't your thing
try abstract. Use paintings to express yourself, scan it
in and work into it on your computer.
 Sketch Markers

We've all seen them but what are they called? Sketch
markers are basically felt tip pens for adults! They are
great for perspectives and quick doodles.
 Graphic Pens

Graphic pens or fine liners are another great tool to

add to your stationary. They are great for quick
sketches or simplistic illustrations.
 Masking Tape

Why am I talking about masking tape in a book for

drawing? Because I find it a very useful tool! Masking
tape can be used to hide errors, to create a crisp line,
or even to create a void of space.
 Perspective

The topic of perspectives, is another broad subject.

One tip I do have is that a drawing doesn't have to be
flat or perspective. Practice giving the viewer both
experiences through one composition. Also try and
draw without a ruler every now and then, having your
perspectives slightly off won't kill anyone. It also
improves your eye to pick up errors!
 Highlight

What is the focus point of your piece? Is it obvious?

Experiment with ways to highlight the important parts
of your drawing. This may be through the colour you
choose, light, or the intensity of your details.
 Journey

Take your viewer on a journey with your drawing.

Think of it as having a start middle and end. It's ok if
your start and end is the same focal point. But how
does your middle keep the viewer entertained?
 Presentation

The attention to how you present your work is vital.

When you get your presentation right on your first
drawing, you will begin to replicate that success with
the drawings that follow.
 Where's your Scale Bar?

For all the architects out there.

 Orientation

Portrait or landscape? Seems like a simple tip I know,

but it's something worth thinking about. What
orientation suits your work better? Later down the line
you will have a consistency to your drawings. Which
not only makes it easier for the viewer to read, but for
you to display.
 Colour Palette

An easy way to understand your favorite colours is to

look through your previous work. If that fails you can
always look through your archive of inspiration. You
should notice a pattern in the colours you are drawn
to.
 Tones

Now you have your preferred colour range. You can

now go one step further and explore tones in your
drawings. Are you drawn to warm tones? Light tones?
Dark tones?
 Line weight

This isn't just a tip for those using CAD software but
for drawing in general. Line weights and line types can
be great ways to highlight or describe different aspects
to a drawing.
 Intersect

Why intersect and continue your lines? Well firstly it

makes life easier! It's easier to continue a line than to
join it up perfectly. Secondly, I personally find that the
technique teases the viewer for something more. I.e
the line continues as if it could and normally does
inspire more to an idea.
 Dotted and dashed

Dotted and dashed lines have the reputation to

represent a grid or something behind an object, but
they can represent more. How about if the dashed line
represented a journey? Or a previous idea? A memory
even?
 Simplify

If in doubt keep it simple.

 Themes

Drawing in itself is a journey. A journey that involves

the process of describing something through
expression. Why not see all of your work as one
continuous journey in turn creating a theme.
 Art

Take inspiration from art movements, and be inspired

by artists.
 Graphic Design

There are plenty of architects that use graphic design

to their advantage. It's not only used in rendering and
drawing, but it is also a very useful skill for
representing data. A top tip is to research the book
called "data flow"
 Illustrators

The world of illustrators is growing by the day. They

are both the artist and the graphic designer in their
own right!
 Engineers

Architects can definitely take a leap out of the

engineers book in terms of drawings. There's a time
when your drawings should be precise and calculated.
Use the work of engineers to inspire your drawings.
 Motion

Through the years, I've always been interested with

the topic of movement. How an image that doesn't
move, seems to have the feeling of movement. I've
learnt that part of the trick is to trigger the viewers
imagination. Have a practice try and plant the seed of
motion into your drawings.
 Finish

Pay attention to the finish of your drawings. What type

of paper will you print your work on? Will you project
the image or will it live most of it's life on a computer
screen. Another top tip is to work on your drawings in
large format. It's always better to shrink a large image
down opposed to a small image up.
 Composition

Create a scene just like movie stars construct a tv set.

Or how about analysing paintings like the last supper?
Composition helps to tell the story.
 Soft and hard

With rendering especially, you are always playing with

soft and hard. It may be with shadows or colours.
Further your research into these topics, there are
plenty of youtube videos out there.
 Blur

To blur or focus is another tip that relates back to

creating a pin point. It can also be used to capture
motion.
 Bevel

The bevel effect can be achieved in Photoshop and

other similar programs. Bevel allows a flat image to
appear three dimensional or chamfered.
 Lighting effects

Lighting effects come in all different shapes and sizes.

Lighting can be added and adjusted through plugins
and editing software.
 Grunge effects

I think grunge effects are especially useful in

architecture because when is architecture absolutely
pristine? Very rarely. Grunge effects can be applied
through photos and photoshop brushes.
 Build a library

I find it very useful not only to catalogue inspiring work,

but to also collect useful textures. Pinterest, google
and tumblr are great places to start.
 Nature

Take inspiration from nature. Not only in how it makes

you feel but the colours that surround you. What
colours work together and which do not?
 Divide your space

Try to divide and organize your space when you work.

Know where everything is.

Also divide your work visually. Understand that certain

parts of a drawing are a new drawing in their own
right.
 Be specific

You don't always have to detail every part of the

drawing. Save yourself time by paying attention to the
most important aspects.
 Scale

What scale are you working at? At what scale do you

begin to lose the quality of the image? Are the details
visible at the scale you are working at?
 Perfect

As we know there's no such thing as perfect. But it

doesn't mean we can't attempt to perfect our own
style. Always have your ideal style in mind.
 Random

Don't fear random. Sometimes people are looking for

a justification for every line you make. It's ok to use
your intuition.
 Surfaces

Struggling to get the right effects. Try to imagine how

the surface would feel? Or how you would want it to
feel. Try to use your imagination to describe the effect
better through your drawing.
 Why?

Before you finish a drawing ask yourself, why are you

drawing what you're drawing? Does the drawing
answer the question you have given?
 Material Choices

What are your material choices? Are they expressed

clearly in your drawing? Do they need to be?
 Silhouette

Silhouettes are great ways to capture people and

objects. They don't have to be generic though! Why
not search "SANAA Architects silhouette" for some
great inspiration.
 Paper texture

There are many types of paper which have a beautiful

natural texture. Some of my favorites are watercolour
paper, pulp paper, grey board and parcel paper.
 Shapes

Lost for inspiration. Why not look to shapes for

inspiration. The circle, square and triangle have
sparked so many creative ideas.
 Revit

Revit is a BIM software that allows you to draw

between 2D and 3D. The software is especially useful
for creative's in the architectural world.
 Deviant Art

From a young age I looked to a website called Deviant

art. Generally it is great for inspiration and includes
most of the artistic styles out there. It's especially good
for concept art.
 Pinterest

Pinterest is mentioned throughout my books but have

you created your own pinterest board yet? If you're
looking for inspiration there's a link to my boards on
the last page!
 Tumblr

Also mentioned in previous tips tumblr is a great

source for inspiration.
 Instagram

Instagram is a great way to spot trends in the creative

industry. The interesting aspect of instagram is that it's
very easy to find the underdogs. The underdogs are
sometimes more inspirational than the trends.
 Read

People often assume that if you want to be better at

drawing, that you must learn from someone else.
Reading a book on art isn't like reading a book on
science. I personally believe that some of my greatest
techniques and ideas have come from reading.
 Personal

Is your work personal? Does it have that something

that makes it recognizable to you?
 Highlight with colour

I mentioned previously the importance of highlighting

and pin pointing. Some creative's use bright colours to
highlight key features. Does this approach work with
your style?
 Opinions

It's always helpful to ask peoples opinion. Especially

tutors and mentors. Sometimes a fresh pair of eyes
can pick up on aspects that you may have missed.
 Details count

Although I mentioned that you do not have to detail

everything on the page. Do pay attention to the
aspects you are detailing. Sometimes all it takes, is to
perfect one part of the drawing to make it a success.
 Masters

Learn from the old masters. Picasso, Da Vinci, Warhol,

Michelangelo, Le Corbusier the list is endless.
 Print then sketch

Have you ever tried to print your work, draw ontop of

it, then scan it into your computer?
 Weakness

What's your weakness? Instead of working on it

tirelessly research softwares, techniques and
shortcuts that can enhance it.
 Pixilation

Avoid pixilation at all costs! Top tips are to use HD

images and always save your files above 300
resolution.
 Pace yourself

Like most good things, they take time. Don't be too

hard on yourself if a drawing is taking longer than
expected. With that said there is also a skill to knowing
when to leave a drawing alone.
 Wait

Sometimes I give myself a day or two break from a

drawing. This allows you to look back at it with fresh
eyes. It's great for spotting if something is skewed or
off centre.
 Map out

Map out or sketch out the idea. This is especially

useful if you have a collection of drawings to produce.
 Plans, sections, elevations

Do they speak the same visual language. Are they

consistent?
 Sketchbook

Do you carry a sketchbook around with you? Your

travel to work? Your journeys on public transport? It's
a good habit to get into.
 The white space

White spaces are ok in any type of drawing. Many

people see white space and think they have to fill it.
Work on your presentation skills, you will soon see
that the white space can become part of the beauty.
 Reflections

Have you ever tried to capture the reflection in a

drawing? In your next drawing have a try, will it be the
glass, water, metals or mirrors?
 Always learn

Always learn, not only from your own mistakes but

from others. Be analytical of drawings. You don't need
to voice negative opinions on others, but take a mental
note of errors you see.
 Planes

Planes and axis. This tip could coincide with the tip
about perspectives. I wanted to highlight the
importance of not only the perspective and
composition but to be courageous with the view you
choose to capture your drawing from. The key is to
understand the x, y and z axis.
 Magnify

Sometimes one drawing can become another through

magnification. If there's something of detail that wasn't
quite expressed in a previous drawing don't hesitate to
create a new separate drawing from it.
 Axonometric

Axonometric drawings are a great way to express an

idea through a diagrammatical style.
 Isometric

Similar to axonometric, isometric drawings can also be

useful for diagrams and conceptual drawings.
 Youtube

With the power of youtube, do not be afraid to look

through youtube tutorials on certain tips you wish to
explore deeper into.
 Surroundings

If you live in the city, a town, or the countryside.

Remember to take inspiration from your surroundings.
If it's drawing buildings or nature there is always
something to learn.
 Space

This tip doesn't just apply to those in the architectural

profession. "How you represent space is key".
 Opacity

Play around with the transparency of layers.

Remember this doesn't only apply to computer
software. Tracing paper, OHP sheets and baking
sheets can produce unique effects when used.
 Filters

Once again, filters come in many forms beyond

computer software's. Camera lenses can use
adaptable filters along with scanned coloured paper.
 Humble

You know, you can't nail them all. Some drawings will
never be as good as your best. But that's part of the
fun! If you keep on producing, you never know which
drawing will become your new best ones!
 Practice

Practice, practice, practice... I'm a strong believer that

natural talent only gets you so far. A large part of it
comes from hard work.
 Be

Be yourself..
Free Advice

Interested in receiving more guidance? For a limited

time Zean Mair-Macfarlane is offering free advice to
students through the following social media platforms.

Website: http://100architecturetips.com/

instagram: @zeanmacfarlane

tumblr: zeanmacfarlane

pinterest: zean mair-macfarlane

facebook: @100architecturetips

twitter: @zeanmacfarlane

If you liked 100 tips for architecture students, please

post a review on our Amazon page.

We also have more ebooks like finding a job in

architecture:

http://100architecturetips.com/ebooks/
Copyright © 2016 Zean Mair-Macfarlane

All rights reserved. Including the right to reproduce this

book or portions thereof, in any form. No part of this
text may be reproduced in any form without the
express written permission of the author.

Version 2016.10.31

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment

only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to
other people. If you like to share this book with another
person, please purchase an additional copy for each
person you share it with.

V0116ZMM