New York, NY
September 2024
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Conference
Drawing
IllustrationHigh-Rise Architecture at the Sketching Retreat
DH has been invited to deliver a lecture at this year's edition of the Sketching Retreat. The presentation will explore the art of architectural freehand drawing using black ink and fountain pen, illustrated through the design of high-rise commercial towers.
Registration. link here.
A little snippet. One frame from my drawing in progress, turned into a poster for the lecture. This is based on a highrise commercial tower located in Chicago.The Longer Read
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.
That is correct, I still believe that drawing on “glass” will never provide the tactile feedback I am looking for. The texture of the paper transforms the process into a physical, 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. Every gesture is intentional and calculated, whether rendering overall mass, details, or light, transparency, and reflections - the pen is final and unerasable…
-dh