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PERSPECTIVE IN URBAN LANDSCAPE –
Stuart Jarvis
Reference Image
Materials
Heavyweight drawing paper
Cutting mat
Variety of charcoal
Blending stick
Variety of erasers
Ruler
Acetate
Sharpie
Craft knife
Fixative Spray
Soft brush
Find these items at cassart.co.uk
Preparing the Surface
Start by covering the entire sheet of paper with an even charcoal ground. Holding a thick piece of charcoal flush against the paper, work the charcoal into the surface to remove the stark white background. This ground serves two purposes: it eliminates the intimidating blank canvas and establishes a mid-tone, allowing for both highlights and deep shadows to be built up later.
Once the paper is coated, divide it using a gridding technique. Subdivide the horizontal and vertical space into quadrants to ensure accurate proportions when sketching the composition.
Establishing the Vanishing Point
A vanishing point is an imaginary point on the horizon where all convergence lines meet. Identify this spot on your paper—it serves as the anchor for the entire perspective drawing. From this point, sketch out key structural elements using light, straight charcoal lines, ensuring that they follow the perspective grid.
Building the Structure with Convergence Lines
Begin mapping out the major architectural features by aligning their edges with your convergence lines. Use the edge of the charcoal stick rather than the tip to create clean, broad strokes. Start with the most dominant shapes—rooftops, tunnels, platforms—before refining smaller details.
Top Tip: For particularly straight edges, press the charcoal flush against the paper and drag it steadily across. Avoid rulers at this stage to maintain an expressive, freehand quality.
Applying Tone for Depth and Dimension
Perspective is strengthened through tone. Use a putty rubber to erase broad areas of light, revealing highlights on architectural surfaces. Work in layers, gradually adjusting the contrast between deep shadows and bright highlights.
For crisp highlights, employ a stencil technique. Cut out specific shapes from a sheet of acetate, such as overhead lights or reflections, and erase through the stencil to create sharp, defined edges. This prevents smudging and ensures consistency in complex structures.
Deepening Shadows and Refining Texture
Darken areas that require more depth by layering additional charcoal over fixative spray. Fixative allows for deeper shadows without smudging previous layers. Blend gently with a blending stick for smooth transitions between values.
Top Tip: For detailed architectural textures, like tiles, metal panels, and advertisements, use a fine eraser pen to carve out intricate highlights. This will help define depth and provide contrast between structural elements.
Defining the Railway Tracks
Since train tracks serve as a leading line toward the vanishing point, their placement is crucial. Use light, horizontal charcoal strokes to create subtle variations in tone. For sharp-edged rails, position a ruler or straight edge against the track lines and drag charcoal lightly along the edge.
Top Tip: Small metallic details, such as track markers and information boards, can be suggested rather than rendered in full detail. This maintains the expressive quality of the drawing while still hinting at urban realism.
Adding Expressive Finishing Touches
Now that the composition is structured, loosen up! Urban environments are full of unpredictable textures and dynamic energy—allow some areas to remain rough and gestural. Introduce expressive charcoal strokes, especially in the shadows, to balance the rigid geometric elements with a sense of movement.
Refine the smallest details last, particularly the background figures, lights, and signage. Keep these subtle, ensuring they add to the perspective without overwhelming the composition.
Final Adjustments and Fixing the Drawing
Once satisfied with the depth and tonal balance, lightly spray the final drawing with fixative to preserve the charcoal layers. At this stage, small refinements can be made by erasing highlights or darkening shadows where needed.