This video is about color renderings for a presentation that will give the client an idea of a color palette that DMA is looking to put into this specific project. The intention is to show them a general direction about what they'd like to see. However, rather than just showing them little color chips and asking them to imagine what the color might look like over the entire building, they will be presented with colored exterior elevations. These are computer renderings on white paper, which are not very realistic. And so, colored with markers and Prismacolor and Derwent pencils, the finished set will provide the client with a good idea of what the house would look like.

The process always begins by blocking out window panes. They typically read as black during the day so a dark layer is applied. Then light directions is established by creating some shading, which helps various building geometries stand out, such as roof lines, overhangs and proportions. It takes a certain visualization to know where the sun's coming from, and how it might react to the building. In this type of work, it’s more of an artistic rendering and interpretation.

Window trims, sashes and frames are next to be filled in. We already know that they will be a dark bronze, as indicated by the owner, and ordered from the manufacturer. A colored layer is applied but it looks, like all initial marker layers, very harsh on white paper. Subsequent pencil colored layers will soften that some as well as bring depth.

The trim base color is then applied and is the same for the whole design.

The next step is layering in a base layer for all siding. Using color markers delivers quickly a pure tone, and are particularly pleasant to use as they have a watercolor feel. In this design, the horizontal siding will be of one specific type of a color representing a Cabot stain, while the vertical will come in as another different slightly different color still of a brown quality. The base color of the natural wood is first applied, and then specific pencil colors over it will indicate variations. Here, a simple brown, represents the natural color of the cedar used.

With the method of building up layers, a sense of depth comes through the colors and different stains, that hopefully reflects how the wood graining and how it receives the stain.

Afterwards, a combination of Prisma and Derwent pencils are used as their hues are subtle and realistic. To build up the layers, three different colors are applied to achieve one siding tone. A specific technique of short diagonal strokes are laid out, with an abstract, yet systematic.

The doors color is yet to be determined by the client and contractor, after budget consideration. In this case, the suggestion of a natural color is made for wood but they might turn out to be clad like the windows.

It’s important to soften the whiteness of the paper against the intensity of the rendering itself by adding a subtle background. Using of a couple of different greens at the bottom to indicate shrubbery, and a blue hue for the sky above suggest a different element to rest one’s eye on.

Then, a heavy black marker line at the bottom gives the rendering a base. This is consistent with the presentation drawings produced by DMA, whether they are color rendering or just a line presentation drawing.