“I try to pioneer new drawing tools and find out unusual substances to paint with, for instance I coated handful amount of my sketches by using coffee and beet syrup.”
1. Olga Sorokina: How did you come to sketching and what was your initial step in sketching?
Masoud Farhad: My field of study is architecture and definitely, it is the most adventurous profession amongst all skills. Architecture can be categorized into different separated parts. One part is the theory of architecture and at the beginning it focuses on the history of classical art and architecture in the world and continues to contemporary theories. The other parts are more practical and architect picks up a pen to design a building. The procedure of design is a complicated process and must be carried out correctly. To develop and Idea, it’s necessary for architect to draw primitive simple shapes. Those simple sketches develop toward final design. It’s highly important for each architect to know how to sketch. I figured out the importance of the issue when I was green at the university. I realized that good sketchers can be good architectural designers. Since then, I made my mind to become a good sketcher. Although I was good at drawing by heart, I seriously tried to improve my abilities. Now, architectural sketching is my main profession.
2. O. S.: Could you please describe your process of creating sketches (and how long does it take), for example this one:
M. F.: A good sketcher should be equipped with simple but important drawing tools. A proper surface to work on and a good pen to work with and also a nice atmosphere to work in. Primitively I evaluate the size of the sketch according to the size of the page. Then I draw principal lines of the sketch in a fast way. Details are not included at this stage. Afterward, I add other components like furniture in details. The direction of light shows how to cope with shadows. A good sketch has a good lighting. Then I put the color on the sketch on aesthetic regulations using colorful markers and brushes. A little less or more, it takes half an hour to complete one work.
3. O. S.: You have very beautiful technique for your architecture sketches, it looks like combination of markers for a building and watercolor for the sky and background, or maybe it is waterbrush?
M. F.: Each sketcher is good at one or two drawing and painting methods, I prefer to use the combination of techniques for rendering. The main part is painted with different colors of markers and the rest is coated with ink. Every method has its advantages and disadvantages, for encircled areas it is easier and faster for me to use markers, mostly for trees and sky I can deal with ink much easier. It gives me the ability to work with fading colors in perspective. I use brushes to put the color on the surface. There are possibilities to easily mix colors to achieve new ones. Undoubtedly, the density of the ink and strength of color can be controlled by mixing it with water. I can quickly obtain variety of color tones from each tint by adding pure water. It is controllable and easy to manipulate. For a beginner, it is a sort of trial and error and with practicing it becomes an interesting hobby. It makes me feel like a boss and my tools are loyal employees. The achievement always sounds satisfying.
4. O. S.: How do you make perspective for your interior sketches, do you use computer programs or do you make it by yourself?
M. F.: I personally believe in architectural computer software and applications in this technologically improving century. It is undeniable to take the advantages of computer sciences. It is neat and accurate. I have to clarify that I have never worked with software to draw. I do call my works as freehand sketches. All of them have been done by hand. Interior and exterior perspectives are created by drawing correct composition of lines and putting the colors aftermath. The only way I am enjoying the computer is using software to balance the strength of lines and to slightly modify the contrast among colors. The original colors of the works are in logical order but when it comes to screen looks a little darker and in sum, software edits seems unavoidable.
“No matter how many modern applications and computer utilities come to the market, freehand sketches illustrate new designs effectively faster.”
5. O. S.: What are you currently working on?
M. F.: It is commonplace to draw things by using fountain pens and other common drawing pens and pencils, I try to pioneer new drawing tools and find out unusual substances to paint with, for instance I coated handful amount of my sketches by using coffee and beet syrup. I have checked substantial number of colorful food stuff and chemical liquid substances to use them in sketching just as water-color and ink. In addition, I am doing my best to publish my book which is about sketching techniques in at least three languages. The result is amazing.
6. O. S.: Please tell us about your sources of inspiration. What helps you to be productive in sketching? One thing is coffee I suppose, according to your Instagram :-)
M. F.: To be honest I am crazy about going through intact nature, seeing mountains, clouds, trees and rivers. It makes me feel like I am eager to create works. Also I like rural wooden cottages standing in the middle of a rain forest. I like to sip a cup of coffee sitting on a bank of a river. It makes me feel like I am alive and my hand must create artworks. I figured out that some sorts of natural colors could paint my sketch as I painted handful numbers of my perspectives with a coat of coffee. Anonymous natural powers push me toward notable innovations. It inspires me to wake up and shine. Natural compositions are the source of all arts. No matter it is a piece of music or visual arts.
“It’s highly important for each architect to know how to sketch.”
7. O. S.: How do you see the future of sketching, particularly in interior design?
M. F.: The universe is always in motion and it never stops even for a second. It is necessary to keep up with it. As the world and attitudes are changing, interior and even exterior architecture changes too. Architect has to design new patterns and designs according to new attitudes and actualize it on a piece of paper via fast freehand sketches. Sketch matters and will never lose its workability. No matter how many modern applications and computer utilities come to the market, freehand sketches illustrate new designs effectively faster.
8. O. S.: What advises would you give for beginners in sketching?
M. F.: I suggest the beginners to study relevant books and see variety of good sketches. They have to learn step by step. It is impossible for a person to become a perfect artist overnight. At the beginning, they should get to know sketching tools and then learn how to use them effectively. They should learn basic concepts of illustration rules appropriately, then practice to draw interior and exterior perspectives. They should get familiar with shadowing process which seems a little perplexing. Shadows make the third dimension easier to understand. At the end, it is necessary to learn how to use colors and relevant tools properly to make a good composition of lines and colors. I strongly suggest to beginners to believe their potentials. It is necessary to study and revise sketchbooks or take part at sketch courses to learn techniques, but avoid making replicas from other works and try to create personalized one. I bid green students to compile their works to compare primitive ones with recently done works and by this way the quality of learning process can be easily assessed. The collection can be kept as a personal worthy treasure. The process of learning should be under accurate control.
Interview with Masoud Farhad by Olga Sorokina.
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To contact Masoud please use information below:
Email: freeehandsketches@gmail.com
Instagram: masoudfarhad
Facebook: Msd Fhd
Linked in: Masoud Farhad
Twitter: masoudfarhad