Character and Detail: What’s My Style?

Post 3

09/21/2025

Now that I feel like I have a basic understanding of how to sketch out the basic structure of a building, I am going to try and take it one step further and add detail that will hopefully transform these buildings from looking like cereal boxes, to something with character. Looking at urban sketches and watching tutorials, I have noticed a few key things about style and character.

1. No straight lines – urban sketch artists use bumps and wiggles in their lines to create character and to account for the details that they leave behind. 
2. The aim is not perfection – rather than creating hyper-realistic art, the spirit of sketching is to capture the “idea” of an object or being on paper. The drawings are meant to be recognizable, but not copies of reality.
3. Detail is the artist’s choice – after looking at many pieces of artwork, I have come to realize that every artist chooses to incorporate different levels of detail in their drawings. 

Working from the same photos I had taken prior, I got to work adding on to my basic drawings of the buildings, and slowly they became more and more like the picture. 

Here is what I’m learning about myself: I am more of a perfectionist than I care to admit. Looking at my drawings on their own, I actually quite like them! When I look at them in comparison to the reference photos, however, I can’t help but notice all of the flaws. It is strange, because when I see other’s work it is the imperfection that draws me to the piece, and gives the illustrations charm. When I see my own, however, I see ugliness and not character. Maybe I will grow to appreciate my own work’s imperfections, but for now I will keep my reference photos separate from the products.

More helpful resources:

How to Embrace Your Urban Sketching Style