Draw like an Architect - Essential Tips

In this video I share my tips for improving your architectural drawing technique. I'll walk you through a detail sketch, a basic section sketch and then transition into a few of my CAD working drawings to illustrate how a simple toolset can produce a range of drawings.
Important concepts discussed:
- Lineweight (and the pens I use)
- Atmospheric perspective
- Drawing technique
- Corners
- Iteration
- Foreground, middle-ground, and background
- The 'squint' test
- Shade + shadow

In the end, it’s not about copying my drawing style or anyone else’s. It’s about developing your own and the best way to do that is by seeking out the architectural drawings you like and try and duplicate their results. Study their commonalities, how do they differ from the way you draw? Some of my favorites are found in the Detail in Contemporary Residential architecture books or Detail magazines…all the German stuff.

// GEAR I USE //

DSLR CAMERA:

LENSES:

AUDIO:

ARCHITECTURE GEAR:

STARTUP TOOLKIT:

ALL MY GEAR (UPDATED LIST):

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Please watch: "Making a Site Model - The Outpost Project"
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[dhatchbernier]

Even as a 51 year old architect who sketches incessantly, I always learn something new whenever I watch one of your videos. Thank you.

[CatarinaQuei]

I wish I had a professor explaining in such a clear and simple form as you!

[JoelPazRicci]

I’m in my first year of architecture and my teachers aren’t really helpful, but thanks to your video i understand everything they told me better, thank you and i hope everything goes well for you

[thecreativeworld]

Actually I´m still at Highschool (in Germany) and its my dream to become an Architect. So I found your channel and I love it. I can learn so much for sketching and modelling. It makes me happy everytime doing architectual stuff and you helped me improving my skills. Thank you!

[Skimo_]

I love the fact that most of your videos speak about general architecture concepts that helps students like me build my own criteria. Greetings from Mexico

[DuStinesZ]

thanks now I have someone to look up to as a architecture student

[ashleyjohnknight]

I am a sixty year old architect and I am still learning and evolving in my profession and my understanding of architecture and life. Studying and working in architecture is a challenge but it is also an immense joy and satisfaction and I never regret it. Your videos are essential to understanding and improving one's approach to improving ones skills and building a mindframe of an architect. I know that each of us embarks on this fantastic voyage alone and it is essential to have access to lessons that teach us the realities and skills to progress and succeed in architecture. Your videos are elegant, professional, and demonstrate the high standards and satisfactions each of us must achieve.

[santiagomatallana]

Great material Eric! I'm finishing now last year of Architecture School, your videos encourage me to never stop beleiving that being an architect with creative and outside-of-the-box vision is possible in real life!.

I love your channel, love how you simply explain many aspects of something so complex as our profession. I'm devouring the material you produce and plan to continue doing it! Please don't stop!

Greatings from Colombia. God bless and _Cheers_

[NahiretQuintana]

Thank you. After almost 15 years without practising architecture, I practically have to start over and refresh my memory to get back in the business. Your channel is most useful, I'm glad I found it.

[FirstArchitectureSchool]

Not only are you are very talented but you also possess a rare gift for imparting your knowledge. Thank you.

[anthonyvalles]

I am a 20-year-old Architecture student and your channel has helped me a ton! I want to thank you for all of these helpful tips!

[arnoldconsigo]

Legit real fan of yours my friend. you are such a great instructor, everytime i got home from school i always rush to your channel and study stuffs you share it does way more knowledgeable and cooler than at school. i hope you continue to spread your skills at this field. it really helps me a lot! Thank you! A big Cheers from Philippines!

[lockingaiming]

As a second year architecture student, I find this video pretty interesting. I don't really find any professor in my university telling the students about this, just plain lessons. Thank you so much for the video

[jquinlan]

I've always wanted to be an architect and I will start studying architecture this fall. Thanks for sharing your ideas in such great, informative videos!

[T_Trix]

I was thinking about doing architecture as a career and this really helped me thank you so much!!!

[sakif]

I’m an engineer and i really appreciate the craft and styles of an architect. Thanks for these videos!

[burnoutarchitect]

Thank you for this video, I'm an 5th year Architecture student and this tips takes me back from the tracing paper up to the design processes. I love also, that how you draw those wavy lines and for me this is excellent.

[Gamalenon]

I'm amazed! No teacher so far had taken the trouble to explain such an essential topic in architectural drawing. Great video!

[CalvinR]

I was just itching for a new video. A thumbs up for being right on time!

[alanajean]

I've been watching your videos, and I've just gone for a drive into a new estate and my eyes are constantly looking at the architecture of buildings now! It's so fun to have a new perspective, I thank you for that!