Proportion can make or break a sketch before you have even begun to add value or texture. It is what helps the structure of a building sit firmly on the ground and appear in the correct position in space. One of the most common issues when teaching proportion to new students is that we tend to look at what interests us instead of the distance between and relative size of the overall structure. For example, we can’t accurately draw the size of a door until we can see the door in relation to the rest of the facade. Take some time to look at a building and compare the size of one part to another. Notice if the windows are half the size of the doors or if the roof is a third of the height of the overall structure. These observations will help lead to the proportions you will need in your sketch.
A helpful tool for proportion is to measure the object with your pencil. This will help you see the relationship between different parts of the building. Hold your pencil out in front of you at arm’s length. Close one eye. Place the end of the pencil at the top of the building and slide your thumb down to the bottom of the building. Now you have a unit of measurement. You can slide your pencil to the left or right and measure the distance between different parts of the building or you can even use your measurement to compare the proportions of different parts of the structure. Spend 15 minutes sketching the building and its proportions without making any guesses as to the size.
It is easy to get carried away when placing architectural features in a sketch and end up with a building that is out of proportion. You have added windows and details before the overall structure was accurately sketched and now nothing seems to fit. In this case, don’t erase. Instead quickly sketch the outline of the structure on another piece of paper, paying no attention to the details. Once the overall proportions of the structure feel right, begin to add large divisions like floors and rooflines. Save the details for last.
Quick thumbnail sketches are also an excellent way to get a feel for proportion in your architectural sketches. Choose a building and sketch it in a space no larger than a few centimeters. The small size of the thumbnail space will force you to look at the overall proportions of the structure. Repeat this process several times. I find that my 5th thumbnail sketch is more proportionally accurate than my first larger sketch.
The more you observe and compare proportions the easier it will become to accurately depict what you see. You will begin to notice if the roof of your building is too tall or the windows are too far apart. Architectural sketching will become less of a guessing game and more about observing and recording what you see.