Architectural Illustration for Everyone: Draw Buildings in Ink and Colored Pencil

Master the art of architectural illustration with this course by Demi Lang. She'll take you step-by-step through her incredible process of drawing buildings using ink and colored pencil.

  • Beginner
  • 5.0 (33 Reviews)
  • 3.3 hours
  • Closed Captioning
Learn how to draw architecture using ink and colored pencil

Ever wish you could create a realistic drawing of a building? Architectural illustrator Demi Lang will help you achieve your goal by breaking down her techniques and processes in bite-sized lessons. In the end, you'll come away with your own charming architectural illustration.

  • Getting Started
  • Getting Acquainted with Drawing Tools
  • How to Select Paper
  • Supplies Checklist
  • Understanding the Tonal Value Scale
  • Example Tonal Value Scale
  • Organizing Your Workspace
  • Project Photo
  • Line Drawing I - Antiques on High
  • Line Drawing II - Grande Cafe
  • Line Drawing III
  • Inking Over Your Drawing
  • Adding Windows
  • Building I: Learning to Add Color
  • Building II: Color and Graphics
  • Building III: Color and Graphics
  • Finishing Touches
  • What's Next
Are you ready to start drawing architecture
like a pro?
Meet your instructor Demi. Illustrator.

Demi initially studied graphic design at college but is essentially a self-taught illustration artist.

She has a particular passion for architecture and beautiful character buildings which she draws in high detail, concentrating on the contrasts of light and shadow to create a realistic finished drawing. Each piece takes many hours to complete. She works in a variety of mediums, including Indian ink pen, pencil, and watercolors on paper.

Demi lives in the countryside in a small village in West Berkshire, UK. She works from her home studio at the end of her garden.

The city of Oxford is nearby, as are the Cotswolds and Blenheim Palace which often feature in her work. She gains most of the ideas and inspiration for her work while visiting her favorite places and while traveling.

Demi has been selling her work online and locally in exhibitions for over 17 years. She has work in private collections all over the world.

Demi shares her work on Instagram giving daily updates on the progress of her drawings.

I created this course to teach and help aspiring artists to learn my approach and creative process to architecture illustration.

I’m asked regularly if I have a class available, so when My Modern Met Academy approached me to be one of their instructors I jumped at the opportunity. It is great to be able to give something back to the online art community.

Drawing such detailed illustrations can seem daunting and difficult, like where do I start? In this class, I have broken my process down into clear and manageable lessons to guide students through the techniques that I use and to make this type of drawing feel less intimidating.

By the end of the class, I want students to feel confident that they can attempt this type of work following the steps they have learned with an understanding of the materials needed to attempt this type of art.

Learn the Basics of Architectural Illustrations

  • Learn how to select the proper tools
  • Gain an understanding of shadow, highlight, and tonal values
  • Learn how to bring architecture to life from line drawing to coloring
Join me in my class and I’ll guide you through the process of creating your own architecture illustration in manageable steps, using the techniques I use on a daily basis.
I’m excited to help you learn new skills that will empower you on your creative journey!


Demi Lang
Reviews
5 star rating

A very personal learning experience...

Hamlet Cabrera

Even though this was only an introduction to architectural illustration it felt whole, immersive, and easy... Demi allowed for us to observe the continuous process as it unfolds with minimum cuts if any, I wish many more classes were like this, no...

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Even though this was only an introduction to architectural illustration it felt whole, immersive, and easy... Demi allowed for us to observe the continuous process as it unfolds with minimum cuts if any, I wish many more classes were like this, now I feel ready and inspired to start drawing right away!

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5 star rating

Hands down the best course ever taken

Norma Migliaccio

I was blown away by the pictures in the course description showing Demi Lang's work. The beauty and detail of her work peeked my interest and then I thought - there is no way I can do this. But when I watched the introduction video she seemed so d...

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I was blown away by the pictures in the course description showing Demi Lang's work. The beauty and detail of her work peeked my interest and then I thought - there is no way I can do this. But when I watched the introduction video she seemed so down to earth and so passionate about her craft. Maybe I can do this, she looks like a good teacher. Well, YES I can do this and YES she is a fabulous teacher. I love how supportive and encouraging Demi is. She covers so many techniques and explains everything so clearly. This is an incredibly thorough presentation of something that I initially found intimidating. The only 2 things I wish she had covered are alternatives to the white gel pen(which refused to work for me) and how to finish the piece to protect it once you are done. After spending so much time and effort making this I want to make sure it doesn't get damaged.

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5 star rating

Lots of fun and tips

José den Heijer

I liked the passion and fun she radiates. That's the most important thing. tips for trying new things or materials as you like it. just do it.

I liked the passion and fun she radiates. That's the most important thing. tips for trying new things or materials as you like it. just do it.

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5 star rating

A fabulous course!

Diana Basciano

I love Demi’s detailed work and wanted to learn more about how she applies colour to her drawings. I love how she went through the tools that would be needed and shared how she develops the drawing. The class was the right amount of time for me an...

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I love Demi’s detailed work and wanted to learn more about how she applies colour to her drawings. I love how she went through the tools that would be needed and shared how she develops the drawing. The class was the right amount of time for me and at a good pace.

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5 star rating

Fabulous Course

Deanna Tracy

Demi Lang’s course is very informative but she teaches in a gentle way that doesn’t feel overwhelming. She explains in detail, the supplies and techniques she uses, to create the style for which she is known. For anyone who is interested in archi...

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Demi Lang’s course is very informative but she teaches in a gentle way that doesn’t feel overwhelming. She explains in detail, the supplies and techniques she uses, to create the style for which she is known. For anyone who is interested in architectural drawings I highly recommend her class. It offers a great amount of instruction for a small price.

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5 star rating

great course

Karin Wilhelm

the course is perfect. Every step can be traced down to the last detail. Ms. Lang explains everything. I had so much fun just watching the course. I could watch for hours. 😄Thank you very much and I would look forward to a sequel. I can recommend ...

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the course is perfect. Every step can be traced down to the last detail. Ms. Lang explains everything. I had so much fun just watching the course. I could watch for hours. 😄Thank you very much and I would look forward to a sequel. I can recommend the course 1000%. 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

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5 star rating

The Grand Experience

Roger Galburt

This course was easy to follow and showed many useful techniques. I liked the fact that you can review the lessons as much as you want. I think the course was well worth the cost and overall excellent. I was very happy with my finished drawing. ...

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This course was easy to follow and showed many useful techniques. I liked the fact that you can review the lessons as much as you want. I think the course was well worth the cost and overall excellent. I was very happy with my finished drawing. One problem I had was using too small a sheet of paper. I could do the pencil drawing without issue, but when it came to add details the features were too small. I think one needs to use at least an 11 X 14 sheet and scale the drawing up. Maybe give an overall right to left measurement or scale with the course photo. Another issue is Payne's Grey. It would be helpful to list close matches in other manufactures pencils. Sometime the instructor spoke too fast to catch what she said. Very enjoyable overall 5 stars

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5 star rating

Great architectural drawing course

Daniel Ojeda Ubeda

I liked the way the instructor explains each step and gives you great tips.

I liked the way the instructor explains each step and gives you great tips.

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Are you still on the fence?
Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, this course was designed for all levels. Demi takes you through the entire process, step-by-step so that whether you have no experience or are already drawing architecture, you can complete the project.

Of course. Though a photo is provided for the class project, you can certainly decide to work on another building. Just follow along and apply Demi's lessons to the piece of architecture that you'd like to draw.

During the lesson, Demi uses Faber Castell Polychromos, Holbein Artists' Colored Pencils, and Caran D'ache Pablo Pencils. However, you can use any brand that you'd like. For instance, Prismacolor Pencils are an excellent, affordable alternative.  

*This page may include affiliate links. If you make a purchase, My Modern Met Academy may earn an affiliate commission. Please read our disclosure for more info.

After you've gathered all of your tools, you'll start by creating a pencil drawing. Breaking down the building into unique shapes helps. Once you ink over your lines to make them permanent, you can begin having fun adding highlight, shadow, and color, which will really make the drawing pop.

To create your drawing you'll need the following items.


*This page may include affiliate links. If you make a purchase, My Modern Met Academy may earn an affiliate commission. Please read our disclosure for more info.

It's helpful, but if you don't have one—don't worry. Demi will show you how to create a makeshift drawing table using simple items you might have at home. And if you still aren't able to create one, that's ok. You'll be able to work through the course without one.

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