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Urban Sketch Collective

A group of artists documenting city life through on-location sketching, sharing techniques, and hosting regular meetups. An example of a timeline layout blog.

Ant
Ant
Blog owner

Historic Buildings: Capturing Character in Brick and Stone 10 May 2025 • 1 min read

Tips for sketching architecture that tells a story.
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Old buildings have personality — crooked lines, weathered textures, and details that reveal their history. When sketching them, don’t aim for mechanical precision. Embrace the imperfections.

Start by blocking out the major shapes, then pick one or two architectural details to highlight, like an ornate window frame or a carved stone arch. Using selective detail will keep the drawing lively and avoid overworking the page.

These sketches become visual records of history, preserving details that might one day be lost.