High-Rise Architecture: My Lecture and Demo at the Sketching Retreat

A little snippet. One frame from my drawing in progress, turned into a poster for the lecture.

The Sketching Retreat is a vibrant annual online conference that celebrates drawing and visual thinking, connecting a global community of artists, architects, and illustrators. By showcasing diverse techniques—from traditional hand sketching and watercolor to modern digital workflows—the event highlights drawing as a powerful tool for both creative design and mindful observation.

I was thrilled to present at this year’s retreat, sharing a lecture and demonstration on drawing as a way to "read" and understand space. My session focused on the joy of the creative process, exploring how analog sketching (no iPad needed!) serves as a rewarding analytical tool that sharpens our focus and clarifies our intent.

A few thoughts - Sketching architecture in black ink with a fountain pen transforms drawing into a tactile, almost performative act. The free-flowing ink and steel nib respond to subtle shifts in pressure and speed, creating a natural feedback loop that sustains momentum across the page. Unlike markers or pencils, the fountain pen combines immediacy and control. This approach applies to rendering overall mass, details, and even qualities like light, transparency, and reflections—the challenge lies in capturing all these aspects with just one (unerasable) pen!