Have a seat

This was an exercise in chairs. I do this frequently when I don't have a drawing to do of a room, or don't feel like doing an entire rendering. Chairs are a good lesson in proportion, shade and shadow, and texture. I like doing this with furniture because it doesn't take long to get a finished drawing.  The last chair was done in colored pencil.

Hand Rendering ... On its way out?

Hand rendering seems to be a dying art in our industry and it is something that I am very passionate about. I think it is important to develop hand sketching skills alongside CAD and graphic software skills. Both are necessary in our industry but many schools have lost site of teaching these critical fundamentals. My school taught the very basics of hand rendering with little enforcement on developing a style or continuing its use after the first semester. I had an art background going into school and wanted to develop these skills on my own; a decision I am glad I made because every job interview I have ever had has made mention of my hand renderings.  Jackie Von Tobel of Jackie Blue Home had a great analogy "It's like teaching math majors only to use a calculator and never showing them how to find the answer to their calculations with their minds." I agree completely and I hope to see more out there with similar thoughts.

Renderings by Michelle Morelan of A Schematic Life

Let Them Eat Cake

I have been eying these paintings by Paul Ferney for some time now and think they would make a charming addition to a small kitchen. I might have to take inspiration and photograph some cakes. I love all of the cake stands.... I might need to go shopping.

Today's Inspiration: Outdoor Spaces

images via pinterest