Dream Home – Architectural Rendering

Lesson Summary

This lesson empowers students to create and illustrate their dream homes. They will engage in a systematic drawing process to conceptualize and depict their ideal houses. The class will explore the intricacies of two-point perspective drawing, employing a horizon line and two vanishing points for a more realistic portrayal. Following the architectural sketches, students will use various mediums, such as pencil crayons, markers, or paint, to bring life and vibrancy to their designs.

Lesson Objectives

• Explore the art of architectural illustration.

• Design and illustrate a house utilizing the two-point perspective drawing method.

• Enhance their drawings through inking and rendering, employing pencil crayons, markers, or paint to add depth and detail to their creations.

Brainstorm Discussion

1. Would you prefer living in a house or an apartment, and what factors influence your choice?

2. When you think of houses, what are some common features or elements you typically associate with them, like yards, trees, garages, etc.?

3. If you could design your dream house, what features and elements would you include?

4. Dream big! What are some unique or even whimsical elements you'd love to incorporate into your dream house? Think solar panel roofs, swimming pool, vegetable garden, or anything else that sparks your imagination.

5. Consider the location of your dream house. Where in the world would you want it to be situated, and what kind of environment appeals to you most, whether it's by the sea, deep in a forest, on a mountain, in a bustling city, or elsewhere?

What to Do

Begin by envisioning your ideal home. Then, under the guidance of your teacher, draw your dream home. While using a ruler is acceptable for maintaining straight lines, strive to draw as much as possible freehand. Architectural illustration aims for visualization and presentation, not absolute precision. Keep in mind that computer programs excel in achieving such precision.

1. Establish a Horizon Line & Vanishing Points: Start by drawing a horizon line across the middle of your page and identify two vanishing points near each end.

2. Draw a Cube: Create a rectangular cube in two-point perspective. The size of this cube determines the height and width of your house.

3. House Exterior: On the front of your cube, sketch the outline of your house, extending the lines toward the vanishing points. Initially, use light construction lines, gradually darkening them once the structure takes shape.

4. House Attributes: Lightly outline where you intend to place windows, doors, and other house features. Consider their size in relation to an adult person, and utilize the vanishing points to ensure accuracy.

5. Line Weight: Enhance specific outlines to lend weight and three-dimensionality to your house.

6. Refine: Add additional details to your house and erase any unnecessary lines.

7. Color: Bring your house to life using pencil crayons and markers.

8. Light Source: Determine the direction of the sun and factor in the light source when rendering your home.

Terminology

• Architectural Illustrator — An artist who produces imagery, either by hand or using a computer, to accurately and aesthetically represent the details of an architectural project. These images are employed to convey design concepts to clients.

• Perspective Drawing — A drawing technique that creates the illusion of depth and distance. In perspective drawing, objects farther from the viewer appear smaller, while those closer seem larger.

• Horizon Line (Eye Level) — The line where the sky appears to meet the land or sea. It consistently aligns with the viewer's eye level.

• Vanishing Point (V.P.) — The point at which parallel lines, when viewed in perspective, seem to converge.

• Guideline or Construction Line — Lightly drawn lines that assist artists in constructing their drawings.

• Ellipse — An oval shape that, when viewed in perspective, represents a circle.