The Studio

Architectural rendering in traditional media

Clark Smith received his architecture degree from Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech). While obtaining his degree, he worked as a site planner for land developers in Atlanta and Miami. In New York City after graduating, he worked for 12 years in several architecture firms including Hardy Holzman Pfeiffer Associates (HHPA); and he became a licensed Architect, registered in New York. While beginning to render part-time, he completed several of his own community planning and residential projects. He maintains an interest in pro bono design & planning for community organizations. In 1993, he started architectural rendering full-time, with clients around the US. In 1997, he and his family moved north of NYC, to the rural Berkshire Hills in northwest Connecticut. The studio is located in the village of Sharon, near a train to midtown Manhattan.

His thorough knowledge of perspective and color comes from years of field sketching, and meticulous color studies in oil and watercolor. In travels abroad and in the US, he has filled many sketchbooks in pencil, charcoal, conte crayon, and watercolor. He has also had a lifelong interest in the history of art and architecture.

A particular strength of this studio is conveying the essential qualities of architectural materials - in historic preservation, contemporary, or hi-tech projects. Close attention is paid to materials, textures, colors, patterns, and details. Buildings are typically rendered with bright light, strong shade & shadow, and saturated colors. The result is a highly 3-dimensional, sculptural effect. Dusk and night views are rendered with warm, glowing interiors. Lighting conditions for interior views are accurately portrayed, so that spaces and surfaces glow where intended. The computer is used to quickly construct wireframe perspectives and produce view angle choices. The finished renderings are typically watercolor, but can also be ink, graphite, charcoal, or color pencil.

The Process page of this site illustrates how a watercolor rendering is produced, step by step.

	Sharon, CT