Architectural Comparison

Continuing on from Maarten’s comments on flickr.... here

Here is a comparison between Brunelleschi and Michelangelo – not quite the one that Maarten mentioned (maybe I should do a sketch of the Hospital vs Library too)
These are pages from a detailed photo album that did from a week in Italy in 2004. I have a rainy day project to convert this to an Issuu book and then a blurb book – it is the most interesting architectural book I have ever read- but then again I am biased as it summary on my personal research into all the great buildings I visited!?!

You can’t imagine how exciting it is for me to have flickr friends that are into this stuff too – I think it is sad that we have a whole generation of architects who don’t appreciate the subtleties of classical architecture – there is so much you can learn from studying it – proportions, detail, horizontal vs vertical, layering the wall surface, solid vs void, articulation of members vs integration etc, relationship of part to whole ... All things principles that can be applied to modern buildings. This is my big hobby horse that I want some day to develop further – at the moment it is just a hobby!

Architectural Research Tangent

Ten years ago I started reading history of architecture books (starting with Renaissance) in order to develop an appreciation of classical architecture which was certainly not encouraged during my architectural education (history really started with Le Corb and FLW). The goal, which I set myself, was to be able to distinguish the different styles of Gothic cathedrals and to learn to like Baroque architecture which I absolutely hated at the time!?! Little did I know that I would discover Amazon and then develop an extensive personal library of books and really get into history and theory in a big way – in particular Baroque and Borromini! The sketches and research that I did post 2000 trip to the UK was a major personal project and posting some of them – along with Maartens comments on my flickr got me back in that mood.

This is a journal page that I have done to record the questions and thoughts going around in my head the last few days and the books that I have taken off my shelf to look up references to Vanbrughs work at Castle Howard and how it ties in with Palladio and Palladianism in England. This is not my full collection of books on this subject but it is a start. The list is a bit abbreviated and not sure if anyone will be able to read it.

Before flickr I didn’t have anyone that would understand my interest in this – but I know at least one of my flickr friends loves Wittkowers book! Not sure if I will have time to go down this tangent further (still have almost 3 complete sketchbooks to scan and post) but....for those of you that will understand Colin Rowe’s ‘Mathematics of the Ideal Villa’ was one of the most inspirational articles I read as a university student and if studying Palladio was good enough for Le Corbusier...it is worth it for me!

A bit too much of an essay today... Sorry! BTW the pile of books was done with lexington grey noodlers ink in a pentel waterbrush (idea from Roger Urban Sketcher)

Day 09 Newcastle-Upon-Tyne

The ironic thing about this day is that it was an international sketchcrawl day and I did FAR less sketching today than any other on my trip (excepting Sundays of course which is my rest day). But it was just SO nice to catch up with my friends that I only did a few quick sketches when it wouldn’t impact on our non stop talking (yes, I am a typical girl in this respect ... Sketching is a bit part of my life but a good chat is far more important!!?) Of course, the sketch that I did was of a cup of tea and cake... You would expect that of me wouldn’t you? For those interested in my tea adventures (I should say if anyone else out there is remotely interested) I don’t think that this was an earl grey. The reference to Eary Grey was actually some that I bought (and my friend offered me) and it was Pumphreys Earl Grey – unfortunately I haven’t been able to source it in Australia. I still think Taylors of Harrogate is the best – but Pumphreys is definitely second.

In the evening, we went to a concert at the Saga Gateshead – very nice building inside and out – thankfully the lighting was good enough for me to do this quick sketch during the evening.

Archive Sketches of Castle Howard

A blast from the past – these are sketches that I did AFTER my return from my first trip to Castle Howard in 2000.
Back then I would never believe that I would be able to sketch and paint on location.

These drawings took me quite a while and were completed after I had done some research on the buildings – the notes summarise my readings.

Day 08 - Wales to Newcastle- Big Day!

Ok – back to my big trip sketches...The start of Volume 2.
Today was my big driving day 260 miles including all those crazy motorways around Liverpool and Manchester. A sketch for breakfast to relax and then a much needed coffee break and sketch a few hours in. There is nothing like a sketch to revive me and get those creative juices pumping – even if my circles are wonky.
I decided to break my big drive by a visit to a special great house – Castle Howard. The work of two of my fav architects Vanburgh and Hawksmoor. A great example of English Baroque – if you don’t already know this... I am into Baroque (so is Borromini of course!) The sketches of the building follow – but this combo includes the two pots of Yorkshire tea that I had. These were without doubt the best pots of ‘normal’ tea that I had on the trip!

I have been waiting to scan this sketch and re-post it (was originally an iphone photo upload on route). At the time I was somewhat disappointed with my Welsh album – I tried to do too much and didn’t have enough time for the sketches – I never ‘felt’ like I nailed it. (A disclaimer here: often we are far too critical of our work at the time and later when no longer comparing our work to the subject realise that it is a lot better than we thought. I am here recording what I thought at the time!)
Anyway – I did this sketch in 10 minutes standing on the grass in front of this great building (hopefully back far enough so I didn’t ruin anyone’s photo) and I enjoyed it tremendously and just felt good about it!! I then added the paint while I was having lunch.

Although I am an architect, I do find interior sketches challenging... But I was determined to have a go at the great hall. Although not great in size, it is a great space. Paint added while I was have my afternoon tea.

Borromini liked the Great hall too. Things have changed since I was here first in 2000 – you can now take photos inside.

I was running out of time but had to rush out into the garden to sketch the two most famous architectural follies on the estate. The garden buildings are what make Castle Howard really special – the entry road, gates, pyramids, obelisks all add to the drama of the place. This building is the temple of the four winds by Vanburgh (modelled on Palladio’s Villa Rotunda – have I ever told you I am a Palladio nut as well?) and in the distance is Hawksmoor’s masterpiece – the mausoleum. I tried to see if I could get special permission to visit it but unfortunately the curator was away – maybe next time?

BTW, I enjoyed this sketch too!!!!

Liz in Action...this is a self timer photo with my camera on my bag... A bit of a pose but gives you the idea of my position for the Temple of the Four Winds Sketch.