A Photograph that Inspired a Freehand Sketch
Here’s a free-hand sketch that I drew on top of a photograph to quickly produce a new image. I established the horizon line on the photograph, and then set the vanishing points as they relate to the images in the photograph. I then drew the background images that would not be covered by the proposed new design, such as the cars, trees and elevation of buildings beyond. Sketches of people were then used to set the scale of the perspective, and then details of the proposed design is drawn to respect the geometry of the perspective, thus completing the image. The sketch is the embodiment of forms inspired by the images in the photograph and the imagination and conceptual emotions that I envisioned for the site. It is an image frozen in time.
Sketchingjourney's Blog 
This technique is useful during the early stage of the design process, particularly while the architectural plans are being developed.
Comment from:Thomas – Great sketch to illustrate your conceptual design from a photograph of the existing environment….but unfortunately, not many of us can sketch so well my friend!
Reply:Somehow we all seem to think it is difficult, but it is not! I think we are afraid to try because we compare our efforts to others and we think we are hopeless! It really takes an understanding of the process, similar to the way we write, especially Chinese writing and our signature!
Very interesting. The way you’ve brought the two scenes together seamlessly is excellent…and placing the figure of the moving man in the middle was a great idea.
Warm Regards,
Shafali
This is not a simple and easy sketch. It took many hours to draw, invent and detail the objects and planes in the perspective. It was not completed in single sitting or on a single sheet of paper. The perspective geometry was mapped out in pencil using a T-square and triangle and the scene was built on many layers of tracing paper, then the final drawing was completed in ink on tracing paper.
Perhaps that is why it’s so intriguing:) Results often reflect the effort. Thanks for letting me know of the process. In fact I once had a room-mate who was studying to be an architect…so I could relate to a lot of what you said.
Thanks.
Shafali