20 Technical Architecture Drawing Tips (2024)

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20 Technical Architecture Drawing Tips

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  • Written by Michael Neatu

The black sheep of all architectural drawing has got to be technical drawing. Everybody loves drawing perspectives, sketches —you know the creative, interesting andexpressive part of architectural drawing. But what about theaspects of drawing: the technical, logical, rational part? It might not be as sexy as freehand drawing, but it is justas important.

If you don’t know proper technical drawing skills it will show in your work; your perspectives will look ‘less smart’ and badly proportioned and your designs will lack consistency. So in order to make technical drawings look less cold and more approachable, I’m sharing the best 20 technical drawing tips I’ve come across.

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These technical drawing tipsmight destroy your preconceived notionsregarding technical drawing, but they will help you befriend the beast (and also geta lot better at drawing axonometrics, sections, plans, and even descriptive geometry). So sit back, relax, and get a pen and paper to take notes.

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Courtesy of Michael Neatu | freehandarchitecture.com

1. Start seeing technical drawing as important as freehand drawing.

The natural tendency is to completely ignore technical drawing. I suggest that you see it for what it is and start allocating several hours per week to getting better at it! When you get better at technical work, youwill improve your overall drawing and design skills.

2. Always clean your triangles and drawing board to keep the smudging to a minimum.

A big no-no forachieving great technical drawings is smudging the sheet and making your drawings look messy and clumsy. You can easily avoid this by always cleaning your triangles.

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Pyramid Section Planar Change. Image Courtesy of Michael Neatu | freehandarchitecture.com

3. Cover your triangles in paper scotch tape – that is going to reduce smudging as well.

Paper scotch tape willremove most grime from your drawing sheet; just remember to change it from time to time. This technique works very well with tip #2.

4. Construct your technical drawings using an HB pencil.

HB gives enough claritywhile keeping smudging to a minimum. Use that to your advantage! You can harden the construction lines later using a softer pencil (2B+).

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Courtesy of Michael Neatu | freehandarchitecture.com

5. See the virtue in patience. Don’t lose your cool when faced with challenging technical drawings.

Technical drawing is famous (or infamous) for being a brain twister. Accept this upfront—trust me, that’s going to save you a lot of hassle and heartache later on. You'll have to do this for a while until you get used to it.

6. Start seeing the beauty in descriptive geometry… and practice descriptive geometry each and every day.

Descriptive Geometry is notorious for being the hardest of all technical drawing types. However, you can understand it and master it with enough practice. Constant practice will get you comfortable with descriptive geometry. Want a quick way to begin? Try this free lesson from my course ‘Technical Drawing 101’. It will teach you everything you need to draw a complex isometric axo with constructed cast shadows.

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Pyramid Planar Change Unwrapped Volume. Image Courtesy of Michael Neatu | freehandarchitecture.com

7. Commit to becoming so excellent at technical drawings that you’re able to outsource any part of your designs to drawing them on the drafting board.

This is a stage in itself; once you cross this mental bridge, you will start being less tense about technical drawing and actually start enjoying it!

8. Get a proper A2-A1-A0 drafting board. Stop it with the small A4-A3 drawings.

You know the stereotypical image of the architect working in front of a drafting board? Guess what—you need to become like that. Get the proper drawing tools in order to draw large drawings on a proper-sized drafting board.

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Courtesy of Michael Neatu | freehandarchitecture.com

9. Do a 30-day technical drawing challenge. (No excuses!)

Chip away at technical drawing every day for 30 days in a row. Your progress will be obvious! It might get frustrating after day #17, but don’t lose faith!

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Cube Section Planar Change 1. Image Courtesy of Michael Neatu | freehandarchitecture.com

10. Use dotted lines to show the back edges of your drawings.

This way you keep your work tidy and clean. And, as a bonus, you make it look smart and elegant as well. Different line types add different kinds of information. And thatlooks good.

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Octahedron Mirror Planar Change. Image Courtesy of Michael Neatu | freehandarchitecture.com

11. Understand the principles and thinking behind sections.

Understanding sections is 90% about developing your 3-dimensional vision. This will make more sense as you practice it.
The first step is understanding how to correctly draw sections.

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Hexagonal Inclined Prism Sections. Image Courtesy of Michael Neatu | freehandarchitecture.com

12. Know at least three different types of axonometrics.

There are several types of axonometric drawings out there that show the same volume at slightly different angles. I’ve prepared a video for you here, so you can get started with drawing different types of axos ASAP.

13. Know what a dodecahedron is and how to draw it in triple projection and axonometric.

There are several "simple" volumes out there that you need to know how to draw: the dodecahedron is the most approachable of the lot. Start with a triple projection, then axonometric.

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Dodecahedron Triple Projection and Isometric. Image Courtesy of Michael Neatu | freehandarchitecture.com

14. Master triple projections.

A triple projection shows a volume from a frontal, top and side view. If you’ve used any computer software, you already are familiar with these concepts from the front, top and side viewport. If you know how to draw the volume line by line, then you’re much better off.

15. Learn to solve 100 Descriptive Geometry Problems

You want to become smarter, more disciplined and faster in your thinking as an architect or designer? Try the ‘100 descriptive geometry problems’ challenge and we'll talk after that.

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Complex Prism Unwrapping and Section. Image Courtesy of Michael Neatu | freehandarchitecture.com

16. Learn to draw custom ellipses in all types of axonometric drawings.

Ellipses are notoriously hard to draw in a normal axonometrics, so drawing custom ones will help you get better and better.

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Cylinder Hexagonal Pyramid Intersection. Image Courtesy of Michael Neatu | freehandarchitecture.com

17. Develop a passion for solving any descriptive geometry problem you come across.

Most architects just run away from descriptive geometry (Don’t believe me? Try asking one to draw a simple dodecahedron sitting on its spatial diagonal). You need to do what everyone else isn’t doing and become genuinely passionate about learning how to do it yourself.
Here’s a free lesson I want you to try out. It is on drawing a complex axonometric in multiple coordinate systems and will probably melt your brain (it is the most difficult lesson from my beginner course on architectural technical drawing).

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Standard Roofing Exercise. Image Courtesy of Michael Neatu | freehandarchitecture.com

18. Know how to draw all the standard primitives: cube, pyramid, cylinder, cone, tetrahedron etc.

Obviously drawing them in triple projection and different types of axonometricsisbest. How do you start with that? Pick a standard cube with the length of 4 cm. Go draw a triple projection and 3 different axos of it.

19. Know how to draw all standard geometrical shapes: square, circle, pentagon, hexagon.

Get started with planar geometry. You will use this later for facade and planar studies. Also, as a tip: knowing multiple types of geometry will help you get proportions right for all your designs.

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Three Tetrahedra Sphere Tangency. Image Courtesy of Michael Neatu | freehandarchitecture.com

20. Ink all your best drawings –whether they are sections, technical details, artistic axonometrics etc.

Inking drawings (tracing over them with a liner instead of just leaving them in standard pencil) is the best option out there for preserving them. How do you apply these tips to get better results with your architectural drawing? To get started asap with technical drawing and get consistent results I recommend taking my course on technical drawing called ‘Technical Drawing 101’. It will get you from being a complete "noobie" with zero spatial vision to being able to draw complex axonometrics, cast shadows and master other architectural technical drawings.
Get ‘Technical Drawing 101’ with 80% discount here.

Cite: Michael Neatu. "20 Technical Architecture Drawing Tips" 21 Feb 2018. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/889367/20-technical-architecture-drawing-tips&gt ISSN 0719-8884

20 Technical Architecture Drawing Tips (2024)

FAQs

How can I be good at technical drawing? ›

Like any other skill, technical drawing requires regular practice to master and improve. You can practice by following exercises, challenges, prompts, or projects that test your skills and creativity. You can also practice by copying or recreating existing technical drawings that you admire or find interesting.

How do I get good at architectural drawings? ›

So let's get to it: Here are five tips and techniques that should improve your architectural sketches.
  1. Adopt the “Hit-Go-Hit” technique. ...
  2. Don't move your pen/pencil by bending your wrist or elbow. ...
  3. Incorporate the use of pen weight. ...
  4. Intersect your lines at the corners. ...
  5. Trace isn't precious.

Is technical drawing difficult? ›

Technical drawing is freehand work that requires a lot of practice. Even though it is possible to do multiple rough sketches, when it comes time to produce, you need to have mastered the various lines and how to enrich them.

How good do you have to be at drawing to be an architect? ›

But it is also important to remember that drawing is a skill that sits beside other skills which make for a great architect: analysis, synthesis, creative problem-solving, sensitivity and understanding around peoples needs/wants, So you don't need to be 'good' at drawing.

How can I be amazing at drawing? ›

For those who want to draw better, here are a few recommendations:
  1. Go draw something. Repeat. ...
  2. Look at drawings. Whether simple line drawings or meticulously detailed renderings, you can learn a lot from looking at the work of others. ...
  3. Draw from drawings. ...
  4. Draw from photographs. ...
  5. Draw from life. ...
  6. Take a class.

How can I be talented at drawing? ›

A blank page might seem intimidating but filling it is the first step to improving your drawing skills.
  1. Face the blank page: work with the drawing skills you have.
  2. Train like a champion: make practicing drawing a habit.
  3. Learn how to draw the world around you.
  4. Get better at drawing shadows, shapes, and perspective.
Apr 22, 2022

Which drawing is the hardest? ›

What are the hardest things to draw? Some of the most challenging things to draw include facial expressions, foreshortening of the human body, drapery folds, drawings based on your ideas instead of a direct reference, hands, movement, and gestures.

What is a CAD drawing called? ›

The terms computer-aided drafting (CAD) and computer-aided design and drafting (CADD) are also used. A 2D CAD drawing A 3D CAD model. Its use in designing electronic systems is known as electronic design automation (EDA).

Why is it so hard drawing? ›

Drawing well can be challenging for beginners because, besides requiring knowledge of fundamental art concepts and techniques, it involves fluid coordination of hands and eyes that results from the muscle memory that is cultivated naturally over time through repetition, practice, and patience.

Can I be an architect if I can't draw? ›

No. You don't need to be good at drawing to study architecture. However – being good at drawing is only going to help you by giving you an advantage. If you are not creative or artistic or good at drawing, don't fret.

Can I do architecture without art? ›

The truth is, architecture is a discipline that is a mixture of science, art and maths (degrees are awarded as both BA and BSc), so any combination of these types of subjects would be useful. You should, however, be good at drawing, and want to study architecture in more depth.

How long does it take to learn architecture drawing? ›

Generally, with consistent practice and guidance, it is possible to develop a solid foundation in architectural drawing within a few months. However, mastery and refinement of your abilities can take years of continuous learning and exploration.

How can I be a good technical artist? ›

They require both visual skills as well as programming knowledge to understand both disciplines and problem solve between departments. A good technical artist will keep the artistic vision intact while working within the limits of the software systems used on a video game production.

How do you get good at drawing realistically? ›

Here are some ways you can learn to draw more realistically, and bring your simple drawings to life on paper:
  1. Fill Your Toolbox. ...
  2. Map Out Your Composition. ...
  3. Study the Light. ...
  4. Make Smoother Transitions. ...
  5. Learn Shading. ...
  6. Find the Textures. ...
  7. Out With the Outlines. ...
  8. Spot the Shadows.
Aug 18, 2021

How to be better at engineering drawing? ›

10 principles and tips to enhance your engineering drawing skills:
  1. Master the Basics: ...
  2. Use the Right Tools: ...
  3. Understand Scale and Proportion: ...
  4. Practice Isometric and Perspective Drawing: ...
  5. Focus on Clarity and Readability: ...
  6. Embrace Standardization: ...
  7. Learn from Existing Designs: ...
  8. Stay Updated on Software Skills:

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