Temple of the Four Winds-Under drawing

For the under drawing I begin on inexpensive trace paper rather then the final watercolor paper. The trace paper allows me to easily make corrections and make necessary overlay sketches. Once the under drawing is complete I will transfer it to watercolor paper.

Depending on the size of the structure I typically make my drawings 1/4" = 1'-0". For larger scale buildings I may reduce it to 1/8" scale. If it is possible to visit the structures I will measure as many details as possible, coupled with detail photos that I will organize back in the studio. Unfortunately in most cases I am unable to visit the buildings in person so I must rely other similar architectural details that I have previously measured, architectural reference books, and also my instinct of scale and proportion.

I always begin by laying out my center lines and overall proportions. Once I am pleased with the proportions I will then commit to drawing in the details. You don't want to spend a large amount of time on details and then realize that your proportions are all off. I have made the mistake many times so trust me when I say that it is frustrating to have to erase all of your work. This is also why it is best to start on trace paper. You want to avoid erasing as much as possible with your final watercolor paper. I will discuss that more in the further steps of the process.

For the tracing paper and the final watercolor paper I like to use a 0.5 lead holder, which keeps your lines fine and precise. The lead weight that I typically use is H or HB. You can use a little softer lead like HB for the tracing paper since you need it to transfer easily to the watercolor paper. For the watercolor paper I will use a harder lead because you want the lines to be very light for the final painting.

The Temple of the Four Winds-Castle Howard

It was an unusual way for me to find one of my subjects to paint. Normally I select my subjects from books or from my travels. But I discovered the Temple of the Four Winds as I was watching the original film version of Brideshead Revisited with Jeremy Irons. It was a later scene in the film that included a conversation between Charles Ryder (Jeremy Irons) and Julia Flyte (Diana Quick)as they stood under the portico of the temple.
I was immediately drawn to the romantic appeal of the building, which was appropriate for the scene. The building is a part of Castle Howard in North Yorkshire, England. It is one of the grandest of the surviving country estates of England and it is still privately owned by the Howard family.
Originally known as the Temple of Diana, it was designed in 1724 by the architect, John Vanbrugh (1664?-1726). Palladianism had reached an all time high of popularity in England at the time and the temple is inspired from Andrea Palladio's famous 16th century Villa Rotunda in Vicenza. The temple was not completely finished until 1738, almost twelve years after Vanbrugh's death.

It could easily be recognized as a folly but it was actually used for refreshment and reading. The cellar below was used by servants to store and prepare food before being served to its many guests.

I am drawn to the severe and structured baroque detailing, the heavy rusticating, and the strong neoclassical portico's, contrasting with the lifelike and delicate sculptures above the steps. The carved urns above the portico's and on the four corners of the building are particularly extraordinary.

Since I have not been fortunate enough to visit Castle Howard and the Temple in person I have to rely on many assumptions and other previously measured details for creating the scaled under drawing.