February 2020, 2nd workshop of Aswan

Exchange of knowledge among young minds and especially architects is always intriguing for me. In February 2020 I was very happy to receive an invitation form professor dr. Abdel-Aziz Farouk, the head of Architecture department at Arab Academy for Science and Technology in Aswan to instruct and lead an intensive workshop for the young students and future architects. The aim of this course was to explore how freehand drawing can increase the level of understanding of the complexities of architecture. In particular it sough to provide the means whereby there can be a marriage of art and architecture by establishing shared values and understandings and to encourage the creation of a more humane environment by developing visual and artistic sensibilities through the practice of drawing. This workshop focused on the observational sketching. The key to drawing architecture is acquiring the ability to capture the essential qualities of what you are seeing in front of you. The course introduced participants to an approach to drawing and techniques of rendering in perspective through the development of an architectural drawing from life. The course also explores methods for drawing elemental geometric solids in perspective, and related concepts of proportion, to build skills at breaking down complex architectural subjects into individual forms and to discover their relation to the whole. Subjects discussed included: linear perspective as pertains to simple geometry and the constructed environment; composition; aesthetics; value hierarchy; and line quality. Individual critiques are aimed at satisfying the goals of each participant.

The course is arranged thematically into four parts: the first part presents introduction drawing history, the second and the third introduces the student to the main graphic tools and drawing techniques used by the architect; the final part focuses upon examples from real life drawing practice with the emphasis upon observations.

Topics covered

Drawing from observation of buildings and architectural space for students at all levels to develop and refine skills and techniques for seeing and recording the built environment. Emphasis is placed on drawing composition, proportion, and perspective
The importance of investigating, learning and practicing design through drawing
To encourage greater use of the sketchbook and freehand drawing within architecture and design schools
How to simplify the infinite nuance and subtleties that exist when drawing from life
The development of strategies for drawing in the field, using several mediums
The basic forms of architecture and the realization of their geometry on paper within a believable and carefully constructed environment using the aid of perspective

Indoor gallery