WAM Architectural Illustration  -   Watercolors and Sketches

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Grounded for Good!

Grounded for Good!

"A ground level view walks you right into the space" The most experiential and dynamic perspective is a ground level view.  It offers the most telling opportunity to explain height and scale to our human dimensions,   and through close proximity better...
Its all black and white

Its all black and white

A Black and White Sketch is a good quick economical way to get you design ideas accross Ink work is fast and straightforward. All my illustrations have at least a basic line drawing to help reinforce the watercolor.  While adding a...
Color Study

Color Study

"Finding colors that work together quickly"
These  small scale illustrations or selected areas of a larger illustration where done to help the client better understand the choice of colors for a project  and possibly fine tune that choice prior the...
Sketch Watercolor

Sketch Watercolor

"Sketch Watercolor is a fast line drawing and then color around 8 x 11 in size" Much like a color study,  This drawing is done quickly and with few revisions.  Many where black and white free  hand drawn sketches that...
Dusk to Dawn

Dusk to Dawn

"The glow of early evening or early morning light truly bring forth strong mesmerizing colors." The keys to good dusk or dawn image is to create glow without losing all color one is able to perceive. The sun is able to...
Part of the way up

Part of the way up

"Mid Aerials as typically done when the area in front of the building needs greater emphasis" Getting higher than a building can places unwanted emphasis on roof top, the great expanse  beyond the building  and typically flattens the experience by moving...
As the bird flies

As the bird flies

"Aerials are informational views that place emphasis on relational elements"
  While not the typical experience we humans  perceive a space, rising up in  the air is a great way to show the many elements of one's project....
Vignettes Galore

Vignettes Galore

"Better to capture several snippets then trying to capture everything in one shot" Trying to captures a lot in a single shot, most of the time sacrifices the dynamics  of the design. Many times you get too far away to...
Looking Inside

Looking Inside

"Interiors take advantage of multiple illumination sources to help set the mood" 
An Interior can deal with both natural and artificial illumination to help define the space.  Using warm and cool colors along with varying the quality of light...
Collaboration/Charette

Collaboration/Charette

"I am just an extension of your ideas." Clients come to me with all sorts of requests. I have worked in offices alongside the designers as an extension of their arm.  Gone to Charettes on location. Drawn fictitious deteriorating...
Computer modeling

Computer modeling

"For me, Computer Modeling is a means to an end.  The models I create are basic."
This collection of views is not for show but my first step in a process toward a finished product. When I first...
Here is the plan

Here is the plan

"Colored Plans and Elevations, give depth of field"
The watercolor offers depth to the normal flatness of a black and white plan or elevation.  They are done normally as part of other illustration for consistency of look...
Fitting in

Fitting in

"The surrounding environment should support the design" A good rendering is not always just about the building,  Existing context help identify place, plant life, street light, all help identify place. Time of day helps identify activity. Kids go...
Pasting over for two

Pasting over for two

"Two renderings for the price of one and a half." A paste-over is a second smaller drawing painted on a free sheet of watercolor paper that can tacked in place for reproduction purposes.  It neither harms the first or main drawing...
A cut above

A cut above

"Interior/Exteriors allow the viewer informational incite into the design not apparent by any other viewpoint." The "cuttaway" view looks into the space while providing external information as well. This abstract drawing creates relational understanding between spaces while maintaining an abstraction...
Watercolor

Watercolor

To line or not to line Black and white line work (micron pen sketch) is the base of all the illustrations I create.  I print this line drawing onto watercolor stock paper and mount it so I have a reference...

About Me Typical Illustration Process Planning & Budgeting Quotes & Contracts

avatar

Hi, some call me 'WAM' but Bill works just as well.

William (Bill) A. McBride
WAM Architectural Illustration
18 West 59th Street
Kansas City, MO 64113
office: 816-523-2345
cell: 816-806-1732
email: bill@wamiam.com

"When you speak with me, you are discussing your project with the owner, an architect, and an illustrator. Whatever your illustration needs, my experience and approach can make a difference to your next project . Call me at 816-523-2345"


Completed 1000's of illustrations for 100's of clients

Proprietor of WAM Architectual Illustration since 1993

Interned with International Architects Atelier (licensed in 1992).

Graduated from KU’s School of Architecture in 1988 (Bachelor of Architecture)

Step One - Perspective

This four part process starts with establishing a perspective view by using either a computer model provided or a basic model built by me.  Through discussions, I can provide you with additional viewpoints that you may feel better enhance your design.  Occasionally,  I work from photo's or build the perspective by hand but that limits the final view to that one choice.

Step Two - Line Drawing

This selected perspective will be further revealed through a basic line drawing, developing the context (activities, season, location background & foregrounds),  entourage (landscaping, people, site elements) and  design elements (details, materials,  lights).  As a supporting tool before watercoloring, color scheme and time of day  can influence the way I apply line gesture.

Step Three - Color Study

This is an optional step.  The color study is typically done for those that want to better see the design colors that have been either chosen, suggested or left to me to decide  before going on to the final watercolor.

Step Four - Watercolor

With all steps approved,  I make your final watercolor by printing the line drawing on watercolor paper mounted on gater board.  The line drawing can be screened for those that want a softer appearance or printed at 100% to reinforce edges and visible under the transparent watercolor medium.  There is a final review and comments period before providing the finished design.

 

General Budgeting

B&W Line - $200-$600

B&W Value - $350-$800

Color Study  - $200-$1200

8.5 x 11 Watercolor - $1000-$2000

11 x 17 Watercolor - $1500-$3500

 

Rendering Size

While each illustration varies in actual dimension, largely based on final chosen view, most illustrations are approximately 8.5" x 11" or 11" x 17".   Larger size renderings are possible but usually unnecessary because an enlarged reproduction of the original will typically meet most presentation requirements.

 

Cost Savings

Providing a computer model can save up to 15-30% of the cost of the rendering.

The smaller the size of the finished  illustration, the lower the overall cost.

Ground level views are usually less expensive then Aerials or Interiors.

 

Request a quote

Call me at 816-523-2345 or send your project information, including your phone number, to bill@wamiam.com. Tell me about your vision for the final product, your deadlines, and your client’s objectives.  With the specifics,  I can provide you a more accurate not-to-exceed fee.

 

Request a quote

Call me at 816-523-2345 or send your project information, including your phone number, to bill@wamiam.com. Tell me about your vision for the final product, your deadlines, and your client’s objectives.  With the specifics,  I can provide you a more accurate not-to-exceed fee for the work.

 

Reimbursables

Reimbursable expenses are costs of printing (offset, bubblejet, laser, photocopying, etc. including paper), mounting, delivery, packaging, framing, film, photo developing and any other means necessary for the completion of a rendering.  These costs, billed at my cost,  are additional to the illustration not-to-exceed fee. A typical watercolor averages $50.



Sales Tax

All businesses operating in Missouri are subject to Sales Tax  (7.25% as of July 2010) unless they are either tax exempt or charging sales tax themselves to their clients. Tax exempt entities are required to provide proof of exemption.  This tax is additional to the not-to-exceed fee.

 

Copyright

WAM retains the copyright to all renderings produced, including those shown on this website. Payment for services grants you and your client unlimited use of the rendering  for general business purposes.

 

 

© All images on this website are copyrighted