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The Art of
Architectural Illustration
by Carlo Berces Castillo
Architectural Illustration is a "Vocation" in which not everybody
can attain. The Architectural Illustrator, whether traditional or
digital media, is a rare breed of design professional, whose
commitment to excellence has elevated its practice to a secular
level. The Architectural Illustrator is the person who doesn't
distinguish night from day, for he is consumed by the process of
creation, making something out of nothing. At this moment, time
stands still, nothing matters except "evolution".
So, What made this Architectural Illustrator choose to draw rather
than design? Is it the instant gratification of creating, rather
than waiting until the structure materialize. Or is it illustrators
impulse to view the world in his own perspective, on how he sees the
world.
Perspectivist
Perspectivist, in an article i recently read are described the
traditional illustrators as "perspectivisorous",which in due time
will become obsolete as their reptile counterpart. And that an
emerging species of digital media is taking over the playing field.
Having said that, a person who came from the old school of thought,
the traditional illustrator, who upon tasting the digital media,
will be mesmerize by what the extent of what his imagination can
achieve.
If you think computer as a medium, it won't be far away from the
truth, anything will not be possible without the artist behind, just
like an artist and his brush. It is the design professional who is
the heart of all this practice.
Coming from the same discipline earlier in my career, tasting both
world, i see no difference in favoring one or the other.
Perspectivist and the new 3d Illustration complements each other.
One must be proficient in the basic skills of traditional drawings,
in order to excel in 3d Illustration.
3D Illustration
3D Illustration is a 2d representation of a 3d object in the virtual
world. The illustrators role is to convey in the best possible
manner, the design of the structure, through a rendered perspective.
Modeling a building for architectural presentation and analysis is
different from modeling cartoon character, aliens from distant
planet. Nobody know what aliens look like so the modelers have an
advantage in his interpretation. Almost everybody knows what a
structure looks like, and those expectation should be met by the
illustrator.
With the aid of the Architectural Software, the Architects, Interior
Designers, and Industrial Designers - anyone who makes aesthetic
decisions in 3-Dimensions, will find that 3D computer visualization
is a very effective way of conveying design ideas.
Building a 3D illustration on a computer often highlights design
problems, and can aid in the search for a solution, which are often
overlooked during the design process.
Learning 3d Illustration
Learning 3d Illustration requires devotion and discipline, just like
any other profession. Whether you choose to acquire the necessary
skills by attending a formal school or by educating yourself, it's
helpful to be clear on what your goals and aspirations. Remember
"without a vision, the people perish", without a specific target,
you will have no motivation to pursue anything.
For many, formal 3D illustration training is necessary, just like
when we took our college course, whether its architecture or fine
arts. So when ask whether a formal course in illustration is a must,
the answer is "it depends on the individual".
No matter what kind of education you receive, in our field, it's not
what we know, but it's what we can show. The main criteria is our
demo reel or portfolio is what the client/employer sees about you,
your skills, and artistic vision than anything else.
There are some advantages to spending time in a formal school
environment, first of all is that you will be completely immersed in
the subject matter that you are learning. A definite advantage is
the motivation and getting focused.
A school is more than a learning institution, it's also a best
environment for networking in your specialized field, including the
faculties, who are often connected with different illustration
and/or production houses, mainly because they probably do some
freelance work, or they have former students working in some
prestigious design firms.
Another advantage is also that if you attend a formal school, you
have access in all their equipment, and being mentored by a
professional, that is not possible if you will try to learn by
yourself.
Attending school improves the chances of landing an internship,
which maybe the best way to prove yourself in a working studio and
get the needed professional experience or a presentable demo reel
and/or portfolio.
Some school also provide placement for selected excellent student,
due to the school and graduates that are connected to some
professional production houses.
It does not guaranty that attending a formal education enables you
to achieve your goal, it just improves the probability of landing a
good career.
Basically it falls on one thing, "it's not what we know, but it's
what we can show." The only person that is interested about your
grades are your parents.
Renderings in Watercolor and Acrylic of Waterscapes
by Lynne Albright
The fascination of the almost-mesmeric effects of ever-changing,
sparkling light patterns on water has intrigued artists for
centuries. The subject could be pounding seas, a placid lake, a
rampant river, or a wandering stream. Translating the feeling of the
play of light on water to a two-dimensional painted surface is an
engrossing artistic endeavor.
Watercolor and acrylic are two interesting mediums (among many)
having unique characteristics when used to give the illusion of
reflections on water. Handled differently, both are water-based
paints, but are definitely diverse in their applications and
results.
Different rendering methods are required for reflections of clouds,
trees, bridges and boats on top of the water as well as earth and
rocks under the water. In the following examples, paintings referred
to may be seen in larger scale at:
The reflection of the sky was painted in a transparent, thin wash
with lots of water and let dry. The reflections of the trees were
then built up in many layers of opaque and darker, less intense
colors, as reflections would appear in water. (Notice the darker red
of the boat's reflection in the foreground).
The colors of the sky and clouds, showing through between the tree
branches, were added in opaque light blue and white. Shadows on the
end of the bridge reflect in the water in transparent, washy layers.
The reflection of the colorful underside of the bridge was painted
first and let dry. Then the waterway passage underneath and behind
the ducks was "scrubbed" out with clear water and a soft brush.
Carefully done, this takes off the surface paint and exposes the
white base of the watercolor board. After thoroughly dry, the board
was then painted with horizontal strokes to create the illusion of
moving water behind the swimming ducks. This method takes advantage
of the non-permanence of the watercolor medium.
1) The pebbled ground in the lower left foreground steps down under
the water towards the middle of the canal. This part of the painting
was done at the same time as the bank of pebbles on the right, but
the detailing of submerged pebbles is slightly blurred, as it would
be when seen under the water. Then, after it all was dry, a
transparent water effect was painted over the area. Because of the
permanency of the pigment, however, the image underneath remains
perfectly intact.
2) The reflections of the bridge railings are opaque, wavy, abstract
patterns looking almost like ribbons bobbing across the water's
surface and over the submerged stones.
First, the opaque, blue-green pigment representing the sky
reflection in the canal water was put on the canvas. Next the
reflection of the dark fronds of the palm tree in the center was
added. Over the top of the palm frond reflection, several shades of
lighter blue-green "ripples" of water portray the surface movement
of the canal water. Three layers of opaque paint create the
illusion.
In acrylic, white pigment is added to a color to get a lighter
value. In watercolor, a light value of a color is achieved by
letting the white of the watercolor surface show through and darker
values are achieved by laying down cumulative washes.
Architectural Rendering - Visualize Architecture Building Models
by Thomas
Architectural Rendering is basically known as preparation and
presentation of purposed design of a building. Using it,
architectural building models can be evaluated. It includes
commercial, residential, industrial and institutional unit. In the
rendering process architects make the sketches of the building with
accurate dimension and show you accordingly. Invent of CAD
technology made it more realistic. You can view moving objects on
your computer using this latest technology and get the exact view of
your future building.
CAD and related multimedia technique allow you to present how
prospective building will appear after it is built. In the past time
the process of viewing architectural building models on computer was
not accurate but after the invention of rendering technique one can
view the building models from 360 degree. Usage of 3D technology
also reduced the complexity. 3D architectural rendering is the most
valuable term used widely in architect industry.
To select proper color and pattern for your building exterior, you
can use 3D rendering technique. One can select a view from wide
spectrum designs. After selecting a proper design you can also
change it as per your preferences. In the past it was almost
impossible to get the exact shade of color which you wanted. Today
with the advancement of the present CAD technologies, especially
architectural rendering it is now possible the exact design which
you wanted.
The technique is not only limited only for exterior but it also used
in interior designs. Rendering is used to get proper furniture
design, textures, wall color and flooring design. Various
combination of architectural rendering technique gives you realistic
view of your interior which you can manage on your computer. All the
process can be done by using latest software so you will get maximum
accuracy and that resist the re designing possibility.
Architectural rendering includes animated architectural
illustration, 3D house plans, 3D visualizations, photomontage
architectural rendering, walkthrough and flythrough. Each term is
used to satisfy different purposes like walkthrough is the powerful
application used to find the faults in design and to get error free
architectural building models.
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