Wurster Hall, U.C. Berkeley
I found myself on the U.C. Berkeley campus recently and decided to sketch Wurster Hall: the Architecture Department and my alma mater. This “neo-brutalist” building is widely regarded as an ugly monstrosity, especially it’s prison-like tower. Having spent a LOT of time there I can tell you it’s just as unpleasant to be inside of as it is look at.
Of course I am biased. Although I loved my overall experience at Berkeley I did not enjoy the architecture program in the least. The explanatory rant is a long one which I will spare you. Here is one oddity though: at the time I liked engineering but detested freehand drawing, which we had to be very good at but which was never taught.
Now I love sketching and often draw buildings, no less. Life can be so ironic sometimes, can’t it?
Related Post: SketchCrawl on the Berkeley Campus
Related Topics: Berkeley, Landscapes
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December 20th, 2007 at 10:43 am
Well for an ugly building, this is quite a wonderful sketch. I especially like the composition…the ugly building takes a back seat to the magnificent trees and lively parade of umbrellas!
December 19th, 2007 at 8:43 am
Another nice piece of art Martha. Your ability to simplify is amazing. Nice story that you posted with the art also.
December 17th, 2007 at 9:42 pm
Great building but I really like the way you did the trees. I am still trying to work out drawing trees without ever little detail.
December 15th, 2007 at 5:55 am
Martha: You made an ugly building look beautiful–wonderful. — Steve
December 15th, 2007 at 2:24 am
I agree with everyone else, this building looks charming because of your beautiful lines and touches of pastel color.
December 14th, 2007 at 7:18 pm
Sometimes I think it takes being out of school to enjoy the things that are expected of us in school…drawing for instance… Great story and illustration.
December 14th, 2007 at 10:48 am
“Life can be so ironic sometimes, can’t it?” LOL!!! Yes, indeed it can…I’ve discovered the truth in that old desire to make my words sweet, ’cause I may have to eat them later.
Wonderful drawing, even if the building is rather ghastly…
December 14th, 2007 at 9:07 am
Love the drawing! You certainly made the building look appealing (instead of ugly). And yes, sometimes life can be so ironic…
December 14th, 2007 at 3:39 am
I love your architectural drawings! I’m so glad that your life took this turn. Lovely painting – the light and shadows are so effective. I always find myself studying your methods of depicting trees and would like to be able to have the skills to paint this one.
December 13th, 2007 at 11:17 pm
Well, to me this is an awesome building, the way you did it! I love architecture(in a previous life I would’ve liked to be one). I like your whole sketch which is very architectural – the building and the umbrallas, as well as the single large tree standing to the side and the only line breaking it, is the round shape of the road in front of the umbrellas. I love this composition!
ronell
December 13th, 2007 at 8:38 pm
You make the monster look charming! I used to go to figure drawing group there for years and have very fond memories of being in that building.
December 13th, 2007 at 7:19 pm
Nice work as always. I am always interested in the ways you nicely simplify complex structures, usually architectural.
It’s often intriguing to me to visit places where I spent a lot of time in the past, almost a sort of Sci-Fi time travel thing. Here I am in the future, reaching back with memories. Often, also, doubling back, our contemporary perspective colors the memories. Like Darth Vader said (and I don’t usually quote Darth Vader!) “The circle is complete.” More seriously, though, there’s a kind of completeness that comes to one’s soul; to experience insight is added.