Architectural Drawing Critique

Castle Drawing by Jeff Rissman

I drew this image of a castle, first light outlines in graphite, then filling in with colored pencil. Here’s a sequence of images showing the stages of progress on the piece. I’m interested in any critique you may have.

Best,
Jeff

Hi Jeff,

Many thanks for your castle drawing.

It is a very good and decorative artwork, well done. I like bright colors and bold presentation, it looks like an illustration for a medieval story.

There are few things you may consider when drawing architectural artworks next time:

1. Linear perspective

In your drawing, it is hard to say where the horizon level is. For example, red and blue lines should converge into two vanishing points on the horizon. Instead, those lines are pointing in different directions.

2. Spacing in perspective

The distance in drawing between equally spaced objects should diminish the farther they are from a viewer. In your drawing, it is the opposite – the second green rectangle is longer than the first one.

3. Circles in perspective

Circles don’t have sharp corners, therefore in perspective they also would not have sharp corners. In your ovals, corners are pointed.

4. Vertical alignment

Towers in your drawing are not aligned right, and pointing roofs are shifted to the right.

5. Aerial perspective

To depict depth in drawing, an artist can use an aerial perspective, so objects that are closer to a viewer would be brighter, more defined, and warmer in color compared to those farther away. In your drawing, all objects are executed with the same attention to details, contrast, and color strength.

6. Drawing trees

You may check these articles to see how to depict trees in a more realistic manner:

//drawingacademy.com/drawing-trees

//drawingacademy.com/vincent-van-gogh-tree-drawings

Once again, thank you for your wonderful artwork.

Keep drawing! Only with practice you will improve your art skills.

To your creative success,
Vladimir

To learn professional drawing techniques,