Introduction
In architectural drawing concise draughtsmanship is essential, the profiles of mouldings in particular should be well defined.
Architectural designs, which should always be drawn to scale, are expressed geometrically, that is in plan, elevation and section. The actual effect is therefore a matter of conjecture only to be grasped by those familiar with the arbitrary form of expression. Perspectives are generally made with a view to depicting the appearance to the uninitiated, but are practically useless as working drawings.
The student is advised to take advantage of every opportunity of studying existing examples in museums and elsewhere. This study should not be confined to geometric drawings, but these should be supplemented by sketches and careful observation. Attention should also be paid to the profiles of mouldings.
A practice should be made also of making freehand sketches of the various features, indicating broadly the effects of light and shade.
The study of architectural proportions should be methodical, and the general divisions given here might advantageously be committed to memory. When this is accomplished attention may be devoted to individual features.