Hello Lisa.

Welcome back to another edition of THE PENCIL CASE! As always, each issue focuses on a theme to encourage a fresh look at garden design and graphics. This week, let's explore the benefits of HAND-DRAWING as part of the design process in celebration of our annual enrollment of GARDEN GRAPHICS TOOL KIT.

HAND-DRAWING AS PART OF THE DESIGN PROCESS

As designers our role is to solve problems and create outdoor spaces in a functional, yet creative way. Graphic (drawing) skills are an important part of this process as it allows us to explore concepts, then eventually communicate them visually.

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The tools we use can be a simple pencil to a sophisticated computer drafting program. The final choice belongs to you and your preferences. For me, it's typically a combination depending where I am in the design process. The earlier stages of concept development always focus on hand-drawing, while the finalized drawings are typically created digitally.

BENEFITS OF HAND-DRAWING

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EXPLORATION 

Nothing beats a direct connection from the ideas in my head to the pencil on paper. I sketch and explore without judgement. Nothing needs to be perfect, which leads to a beautiful selection of ideas. Tracing paper over a plan or photo allows me to explore many concepts very quickly. I love going through a pile of sketches one after the other in a matter of minutes to try a variety of compositions.  Sketching on site, such as in the analysis phase, can also provide a deeper intimacy with your site.

COMMUNICATION 

When we share initial sketches with a client, they start to form a story of the space and our view as a designer, plus our unique style communicates a sense of originality. With a selection of line weights and overall simplicity, these initial drawings can engage a client into your proposed spaces and start a love affair with the possibilities.

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COLLABORATION

Hand-drawings not only engage and sell, they also communicate flexibility and possibility in the sense that a client can still give feedback. This is not the final step, but the first step to diligent conversation and on-the-spot collaboration.

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Overall, I encourage you to at least explore initial concepts with pencil in hand so your ideas can be messy and flow effortlessly without judgement. Save the perfection of the computer for final drawings, rather than conceptual ones.

Let's do this!

My thoughts above were initially written for APLD's The Designer Magazine in PRESERVING THE ART OF HAND-DRAWING (pages 26-27). This article also includes some hand-drawing tips you might enjoy.

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We are once again teaching GARDEN GRAPHICS TOOL KIT in just a few days (class begins Sunday, January 21). If you'd like to learn how to hand-draw landscape elements, we'd love to have you join us. Enrollment closes tonight, Thursday, January 18 (midnight US Central). Please note, we only teach this course once a year, so if this is your magical time, I encourage you to jump in. ♥︎

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If you know someone that needs design inspiration, please feel free to share this newsletter. Anyone can subscribe right here. I also keep a VAULT of past issues in this secret location.

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With warmest regards,

Lisa 

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PAPER GARDEN WORKSHOP

Thank you to Mandy Orgler for designing the lovely graphics in all these newsletters.