Most examples of color rendered plan views displayed within the current barrage of graphics publications are seen as completed works. A typical descriptive cut line of the featured plan may indicate the media, time involved, and the sheet size. Little, if anything at all, is mentioned about the graphic technique or sequential procedure utilized to achieve the final graphic product.

Color rendering the pictorial representation of a small scale plan can enhance designed space, as well as improve communication between the designer and potential user. The application of “Safe Graphics” to the color rendering procedure is indicative of a risk free methodology. In order to apply a risk free approach, rendering procedures must be identified, their effectiveness rationalized, and a rendering sequence established.

The following step-by-step approach to the color rendering of small scale plans can create pleasing and confidence-building results in a relatively short time. It must be noted that this technique works best with scaled plans of 1/3" = 1'-0" up to 1" = 20'. Elements of the sequence are:

• Color and media selection
• Base color application
• Color build-up
• Color change and vertical stratification
• Definition of designed edges
• Redefinition of lost lines
• Textural detailing
• Color blending
• Shadow application
• Dots and ground lines

Color and Media Selection.

Select media on the basis of reasonable availability, the plan view elements, and user familiarity. Generally, it is the manner in which the media is used rather than what is used that results in a frustrating rendering experience. Media uses:

• Markers – fast application, applying broad areas of color, and color changes.
• Pastels – edge definition, softening open space while enhancing designed edges.
• Colored Pencils – blending, changing tones and adding details.
• Felt Tip Pens – vertical stratification, redefinition of lines, and building textural details.

Base Color Application. Start light. You can always add darker colors. Start on the dark side of the plan view elements. These basic rules are designed to eliminate risk and build confidence. The dark side of elements is dictated by either sheet orientation or the project north. Base color is applied liberally with little regard to “staying in the lines” or to plan element types. Base colors provide chroma unity throughout the plan view (Fig. 1)

Color Build-Up. (Marker) Repeat the use of the base color on the dark side of elements. The color build-up produces a three-dimensional effect by gradually increasing the darkness of the base (Fig. 2).

Color Change and Vertical Stratification. (Marker) Color change is used to identify different plan elements as well as varying vegetation types. Apply the same principles used with the base color:

• Start light
• Start on the dark side

This method is particularly effective when rendering vegetation masses where canopy and understory trees cover shrubs and groundcovers (Fig.3). Basically stated, the rule is as follows:

• Farther from the ground – light colors
• Closer to the ground – darker colors

Exceptions to the “light down to dark” rule are open spaces such as parking areas, lawns, patios and walks. Leave these areas light.

Definition of Designed Edges.

(Pastel) Apply pastels to the edge of a walk, lawn area, or deck, then push the color toward the center of the element with the thumb or fingers to offer an edge definition with a soft color terminus. This edge treatment enhances the design lines and is very quick to apply. Pastel errors can also be erased easily. This media use is very effective for large open space areas.

Redefinition of Lost Lines.

(Felt Tip Pens) Marker and pastel can obscure printed lines. Use felt tip pens to enliven the rendered-over lines. This can be a tedious task but is a necessary one in order to define the designed edges. When outlining with felt tips, vertical stratification again comes into play. Use thin lines closer to the groundplane and thick lines farther away from the groundplane. The rule “thick down to thin” gives the plan an exciting three—dimensional feeling as well as enhancing plant material layering.

Textural Detailing.

(Felt Tip Pens and Colored Pencils) The addition of textural lines to plan view elements adds a sense of realism to the design representation. Use colored pencils and felt tip pens to indicate boards on the deck, stipple the lawn area, or add leaf symbols to the vegetation outlines. Textural detailing goes hand-in-hand with the redefinition of lost lines. The rule with reference to vertical stratification is “less down to more”. Use less detail (simple thick lines) for elements farther from the groundplane and more detail (complex thin lines) for elements closer to the groundplane (Fig. 4).

Color Blending.

(Colored Pencil) Marker tones are often blatant and harsh. Using the color build-up approach on the dark side of elements aids in toning down the chroma. However, the use of colored pencils over the top of marker to flavor, tone, and blend marker colors greatly adds to the taste of the design representation and exemplifies an advanced degree of graphic professionalism. The blending is achieved by chiseling down the point of the colored pencil to achieve a thick fuzzy line. Blending strokes start on the light side of the element and proceed toward the dark side with increased pressure at a forty-five degree angle (Fig. 5). Use blending to change colors, combine colors, and add blush-type accents. Good colors to blend with are yellow, olive, terra cotta, red, and light blue.

Shadow Application.

(Marker) Applying a shadow cast to the plan view further enhances three-dimensional depth and adds a realistic touch to the rendering. Black shadows tend to cover information while a dark to medium gray will not. Cast short shadows off the dark side of the elements taking care not to cover up information. When in doubt about covering up information, drop the shadow at that point.

Dots and Ground Lines.

Providing that Steps 1 through 10 are followed, as well as employment of the vertical stratification rules, a successful, consistent rendering approach to small scale plans is relatively easy to master. The following rules guarantee a safe graphics rendering (Fig. 6):

• Simple colors
• Start light
• Start on the dark side
• Light down to dark
• Thick down to thin
• Less down to more
• Short shadows

The following media and colors were used to produce the rendering in the figures:

• Original – pencil on 100% rag paper
• Print – brown line, medium background
• Markers – AD, light ivy, grass green, olive, light olive, dark olive, slate green, ice blue, sky blue, cobalt
• Colored Pencils – Berol Prisma Colors, olive, light blue, dark green, scarlet lake, white, yellow, terra cotta, brown
• Pastels – Nu Pastel, olive, terra cotta, light green
• Felt Tips – Sharpie, thick – Niji Stylist, thin

Safe Graphics: Color Rendering Small Scale Plans

Gregg A. Coyle is a member of ASLA and an Assistant Professor, School of Environmental Design, University of Georgia.