Day 19 – A Japanese Temple

The Challenge
Simplify a complex Japanese temple gate into its main shapes, concentrating on the sweeping roof, supporting structure and areas of shadow rather than trying to describe every beam, bracket and architectural detail.

This was hard. I drew it quite quickly, which probably helped because there was little opportunity to become too precious about the complicated architecture. The large roof became the main shape and I tried to let the washes and shadows describe much of the structure underneath. I still got drawn into too much detail beneath the upper roof and the junction on the right became confused. I also managed to smudge some of my splatters, although apparently I am under strict instructions not to attempt a repair. The biggest lesson was that when faced with something complicated, drawing larger and more decisively can work better than slowing down and trying to draw everything.

The Verdict – The sweeping roof is the success of the sketch. It dominates the page, has plenty of energy and immediately gives the building its character. The restrained brown, grey and pale blue palette works well and the unfinished areas beneath the roof help rather than hinder it. However, the upper structure contains too many competing marks and the right-hand roof junction becomes muddled. A couple of considerably darker shadows would also have given the building more depth. The accidental splatters can stay. Most importantly, this looks like a sketchbook page rather than a careful architectural illustration — and that is progress.

Score: 7.6/10. I am getting confused between a sketchbook sketch and a finished painting and I still need to be clearer in my head the purpose of each sketch.