9.4 This sequence of sketches of the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao designed by Frank Gehry explores the relationship between art, space and architecture.
You can, of course, record contrast through a discerning sketch. If your sketches are concerned with contrast and discontinuity, then do not hesitate to underline the point with a well-selected viewpoint. For example, if you find that the scale of the town changes at a particular point, then this is where to draw. By placing the large and small buildings side by side their full impact may be felt, and if the change of scale occurs at a change of direction (which is often the case), then the sketch has additional value. Sequential sketches should therefore seek out differences and contrasts in order to enliven the drawings and increase your own awareness of design issues. Sequential sketches can also be employed to explore the line of continuity referred to above and found in many urban situations. Such lines often unite a row of warehouses facing a harbourside or the frontage of buildings along a high street. It is often important to maintain such continuity (for reasons of civic design) in order to provide a firm edge to the urban scene. A straight 78 Understanding architecture through drawing
line tends to be visually less satisfactory than one that curves slightly or absorbs some irregularity with ease. A sketch of such a line, whether straight or curving, can be quite delightful and informative, especially if it is part of a sequence of related views that deal also with questions of punctuation – in other words, how the line is stopped and defined along its route. It is important for the observer to ‘read’ the line and its punctuation, otherwise the point of the sketch may be lost. Therefore try to highlight the elements that make up the line of continuity, and draw attention to the elements that define points along its length. You are trying to make ‘informed’ sketches – sketches that tell you about the nature of urban design – so a measure of selectivity and focus in your drawing is important. If the line of continuity links together the façades of a group of buildings facing a river, then use a particular tone or wash to unite them in your sketch. Add contrast or complexity by drawing attention to certain ingredients within the view, such as decorated doorways, special