The level of detail you put into any drawing is directly related to a number of factors - time to invest in the drawing, your viewer expectations (audience), purpose for creating the image, and type of drawing, i.e., early concept, final presentation and everything in between. “Drawing detail” is simply how much care and time is put into illustrating specific objects and materials.
For example, if you were to draw a tree with a great amount of detail, you would illustrate every leaf and branch (left) and probably spend a great amount of time doing so. If you elect to draw a tree quickly and with much less detail, you might represent the leaves with a series of scribbles and sketchy lines. I make strategic decisions before I ever begin a drawing - one which is how much detail to put into it. Below are examples of drawings that can be categorized as having minimal, moderate and maximum detail.
Minimal Drawing Detail. Notice the extreme amount of scribbling and impressionistic appearance of the two drawings. Quickly generated concept drawings are almost always lacking detail.
Moderate Drawing Detail. These two images have been given more time and much more care in delineating the people, materials and landscaping. Visitors Center drawing courtesy of my Memphis architect friend Ray Brown, AIA.
Maximum Drawing Detail. These two beautiful presentation drawings were illustrated with fine detail and accuracy. The resort drawing by Boulder illustrator Stanley Doctor equally portrays the tropical architecture and hotel guests. The swimming pool cottage was delineated in ink by talented Connecticut illustrator Andre Junget.
If you would like to learn more about making strategic decisions about drawing detail, visit my website www.drawingshortcuts.com and pick up my new book Drawing Shortcuts Second Edition.
NEW Summer Drawing Workshop! Jim and Daniel Tal are offering a 3-day SketchUp + Drawing Workshop July 22-24, 2010 in Denver. Click here for details about this continuing education opportunity!
Comments