Today I’m showcasing the sketches of Naomi Leeman, an illustrator and urban designer who is currently living and working in Japan. I love the detail and realistic nature of her sketches and I’m sure you will, too! Naomi has kindly let us take a look inside her sketchbooks that she doesn’t travel without, so you can not only see her beautiful depictions of places, but also more information about them as well. Enjoy!
Your sketches are very intricate and realistic. How did this style develop?
My sketching style developed in college, while I was studying landscape architecture and urban design. During the first year of architecture school, we had sketching classes that were taught by some very talented professors who showed us some “tricks of the trade”, such as hatching, how to use different lineweights, and how to draw in elevation, section, and plan views. Then, in my fourth year, I had the opportunity to go on a trip around the world to study architecture and design. One of our daily assignments was to sketch what we saw, and it was during that three month trip that I honed my skills and developed my personal style. Architectual rendering styles have greatly influenced my work — I tend to draw in elevation view frequently, and use hatching to create shadows and shading. Typically, I prefer to use only pen; I like the simplicity a black and white sketch offers.
Sacre Coeur, Paris
Talk to us about process. How do you create each piece from start to finish? Do you sketch on site or from photos later on?
I prefer to sketch on site. Occasionally, for large or detailed sketches, I’ll finish them up at home from a photo. I have a couple different approaches to sketching, usually dependent on how much time I have to sketch in a particular location. Sometimes I do very detailed, exact, and symmetrical works, such as the one of Notre Dame. The purpose of these is to study and recreate the detailed beauty of these places. For this type, I might layout the major lines of the sketch in pencil before I start. If I don’t have much time in a place, I will do a quick, organic sketch with the intent of capturing the overall feel and atmosphere of the space. I don’t plan out the layout of the sketch at all, I just look up and start drawing what I see, as seen in the sketch of the Louvre.
Many people like photographing when they travel. I love a beautiful photo as much as the next traveler, but I’ve found that I have a tendency to get lost behind the lens when taking photos – a perpetual quest to take the “perfect” picture that inhibits me from experiencing the place and culture. I find sketching to be a slower process that allows me to take in the details of a place, to really focus on unique and intricate beauty, and therefore to remember it better.
Louvre, Paris
It’s clear that you have travelled a lot. Where has been the most inspirational place you have been and why?
It’s really hard to narrow it down to just one, but Barcelona is a very inspirational place overall. I’ve been there three times and there’s always something new to discover. I love the work of architect and artist Antoni Gaudi, and there are many great examples of his work in Barcelona — Parque Guell, Casa Mila, and, of course, La Sagrada Familia.
Moscow, Russia
Aside from travel, what inspires your work?
As you might expect from my background, I am mainly drawn to architecture and the form of the built environment. Most of my sketches are focused on the study of places. I love maps; drawing them, staring at them, and collecting them. I also really enjoy intricate patterns, whether that be textiles, mosaics, or decorative pottery.
Angkor Wat, Cambodia
If you could sketch anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
Oh wow, now that’s a hard question! One of my goals in life is to visit every country in the world (they say to dream big, right?), so I would have trouble narrowing it down to one specific place. What I love most about travel is the opportunity to discover something new and unexpected. One of the next places I’d really like to go is India. I think the intricacies of the art and architecture there will be very inspiring.
Angkor Wat, Cambodia
Finally, do you have any tips for readers who want to sketch whilst they travel?
Always carry your sketchbook and pens. My family and friends can attest that I always have my sketchbook with me wherever I go. Also, don’t be afraid to jot anything and everything down; it might be a tiny little sketch, but it’ll help you remember and internalize the information. Remember, not all of your sketches need to be masterpieces that took hours to draw! I think the purpose of sketching while traveling is to remember the inspirational design and ideas so you can integrate them into your creative work in the future. And most importantly, have fun with it!
[Lizzie]: I want to finish by showing this lovely illustrated world map that Naomi has produced… I hope you like it as much as I do!
To see more of Naomi’s work, make sure you visit her site here or her Etsy shop here.
What do you like most about Naomi’s work? Where in the world would you like to see her sketch?
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