David Macaulay: An Exercise in Frustration

first rough sketch

line drawing finished choir

more detail to show buttresses and flying buttresses more accurately
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some shadow to give it all volume
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fixing the flying B’s in the upper left
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a little color, almost there
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more color, looking good. Oh no. The chapels are too fat and the buttresses closest to us are too far apart.
finished apse wrong
new sketch under the original with corrected chapels etc.
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almost there and this time things are in proportion and in the right place. But wait, the walls have gotten a little muddy.
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That’s better.
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About Roxanne Feldman

I am the middle school librarian and currently serving on the Notable Books for Children Committee.
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2 Responses to David Macaulay: An Exercise in Frustration

  1. Virginia says:

    Dear Mr. Macaulay,
    This is truly amazing from start to finish. I am not sure I could even draw the first line. What an truly gifted artist you are.
    Virginia

  2. James says:

    Just imagine how they felt when one of these cathedrals collapsed during construction, as they did from time to time! Wonderful drawings. Dalton is lucky to have you.

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