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Time: 10 mins

Archisketcher

Posted by Aurum Press • Published 23rd October 2015 • See Aurum Press's 78 projects » © 2024 Simone Ridyard / Apple Press · Reproduced with permission. · Archisketcher: A Guide to Spotting & Sketching Urban Landscapes by Simone Ridyard. Published by Apple Press.

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Aurum Press published her project The Rule Of Thirds 23 Oct 06:00

Step 1
This is a ‘painterly’ approach to composition, where it is widely thought that paintings (and drawings) are more aesthetically pleasing if the main focal point is not placed centrally on the page.

If you’re new to sketching, I’d recommend using a viewfinder with a sheet of clear acetate fixed on to it. Divide this sheet into nine equal squares. (If you don’t have a viewfinder then just draw straight on
to your paper.)

These nine squares are created from the intersection of four lines: two vertical and two
horizontal. Compositionally, it is best to place the focal point of your sketch near one of these four
intersections rather than dead centre on the page, and to place the horizon on one of the horizontal lines.

You will now have either a high or low horizon, and the most interesting part of your sketch will be positioned either to the left or right of centre. This will make for a balanced and harmonious composition.