Composite Drawing from SketchUp: Pocket Park
This visualization project was very exciting to produce as it involved both 3D digital imaging and 2D traditional hand drawing processes together, i.e. construction of a detailed SketchUp model and hand drawings created from two model views. Important to note about this process is 1) all work can be accomplished in your studio without any outside help, and 2) once the model is complete, the hand drawing portion takes very little time! If you are working out of your studio, I recommend the following equipment and software that will enable you to produce practically all of your visualization projects: Epson Workforce 1100 13”x19” printer, 11”x17” flat bed scanner, set of Chartpak AD markers, Prismacolor pencils, Adobe Photoshop and Trimble SketchUp.
Working closely with the talented California urban planner Farooq Ameen, the view highlighted below in several “step-by-step” phases was art directed to feature a pocket park located within a proposed mixed-use development. Farooq and I worked closely together on architectural facade concepts, model view selection and client reviews.
Step One: Original Model View. I selected a 50mm focal length to capture more of the scene without the distortion you might experience with a more wide-angle lens. I made the trees very transparent and strategically placed cars, furniture and people in the composition.
Step Two: Exported Linework. I exported a high resolution jpeg (4000 pixels) view of scene with only the edges. In Photoshop, I lighted the linework to about half of its original density. Why? Lighter lines = less computer dominant image.
Step Three: Export Without Lines. I exported a second high resolution jpeg of the same scene with the lines turned off.
Step Four: Image Composite. I merged the two images together in Photoshop and then lightened the composite image once more in order to drop back the color intensity. It is important to lighten the image so that you can add back color with markers and colored pencils! I then sized and printed the image 81/2x17” on to coated bond paper.
Step Five: Ink Linework. Using a Pilot Precise Rolling Ball pen I illustrated the trees, outlined the building edges and gave the overall print a complete hand drawn appearance. The character of hand drawn lines completely disguises the fact that the image began as a 3D computer generated view!
Step Six: Final Color. The last and most exciting step was adding a wash with different Chartpak AD markers and Prismacolor pencils to create texture and character. Outer portions of the image were left untouched while the central park and dining patios received more color and delineation. I scanned the completed image at 300dpi and sent a jpeg to Farooq for inclusion in a planning document.
