For jory

jory, I started answering you and it got so large I decided to post it so everyone would catch it.

jory,

When I start an old building I create a B&W photo the size I want to draw. I cover the back with graphite pencil. Then I use that to do a very light and basic tracing of the very outline rather than doing a bunch of measuring. Some might consider that cheating, but if you can't see my tracing in the finished drawing is it really? The hard part is getting the building to pose for you. You have to find the right angle and the right light. It is a bit like posing a person. I feel so close to the buildings I want to draw. If I don't feel close it is a waste of my time to try to draw them. An old building holds tons of memories and history. Sometimes they want to share some of it and sometimes they don't. I know it all sounds very mystical, but it is how I feel and everyone knows artists are a bit crazy anyway. Right?

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