Drawing buildings: centreline symmetry & proportions

A4 Milini 150gsm sketchbook, graphite pencil H

 

Working from reference photos;

Field of Vision within two 5x4" frames;

No measuring within an Albertian veil - freehand drawing only, with no straight rule lines;

First line is the horizon line (clearly visible, so no guessing required)

Thinking about centreline symmetry;

Trying for correct proportions;

Introducing tone;

Linear perspective is secondary to the accuracy of centreline and symmetry of the forms.

 

Left is a martello tower. The bottom half is rectrangular, but the top half is square - judging by rows of bricks. I've aligned the shadows to the linear perspective, but insufficient thickness in the battlement parapet.

 

Right is the Sydney Opera House from the air, with symmetry falling about two centrelines, one for each hall. Centrelines are visible in the smaller arcs of the sails curving inwards away from the harbour. The shadows don't strictly follow the linear perspective of the sails, but that will happen in a proper perspectively-accurate sketch.

 

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Done