JAMES COOPER ARCHITECTURAL ILLUSTRATION Trained as an architect at Cranbrook Academy of Art (M/Arch, 1985), James Cooper has practiced architecture in
himself of the advantages offered by digital technology, he sees this interface between vision and structure as an
Detroit, Buffalo, Boston, San Francisco, Santa Fe, and New York. Yet he has long engaged architecture as a visual artist. A fellow on the Rome Drawing Tour with the Institute of Classical Architecture in
obstacle or impediment to be embraced thoughtfully. To that extent, he works with traditional media which is not dependent upon software (or electricity). Rather, he uses digital technology as a
2006, he has taught courses in drawing and watercolor at the Institute of Classical Architecture, Cooper Union, Educational Alliance, and Wintertur. His paintings and renderings are included in
means of publishing not drawing. This is especially true with sketchbooks and journals. Drawing compliments digital drawing early in the design project and offers an alternative to the tyranny of the
private collections across the country.
photo realistic image. The mark of the hand. Human traces...
Cooper works directly with pencil, ink and watercolor, in a time tested approach for the visualization of architecture and design. While availing
Contact Jim Cooper 917.617.9039 jcooper@studiocooper.con https://studiocooper.squarespace.com/
PERSPECTIVE WIRE FRAME This page shows the relationship between the perspective wire frame and the final illustration in pencil, chalk or watercolor.
PENCIL LINE DRAWING Line drawing over perspective construction.
CLASSIC CHALK ON TONED PAPER chalk drawing on toned paper over perspective construction.
WATERCOLOR ILLUSTRATION Pencil tracing over perspective construction then watercolored.
VISULALIZATION PERSPECTIVE PROJECTIONS TO PENCIL & WATERCOLOR ILLUSTRATIONS The process of visualizing and exploring an architectural project can be as simple as limning a few lines in chalk or graphite, bare outlines situating building on building site, or as complex as... My approach is rooted in a Renaissance means of measuring ones relationship to the world, informed by Brunelleschi’s conceptualization of linear perspective, by Alberti’s thoughts on painting, and by both the monumental and mundane drawings of masters such as Borromini and Da Vinci. Trained and active as architect and painter, my approach endorses the relationship between architect and artist, designer and builder, theorist and practitioner in a historically informed and contemporary manner. Typical Process: Preliminary freehand thumbnail sketches are generated to understand the project. Then a perspectival projection is constructed from plans and elevations as a base on which to draw the rendering. Finally, the rendering is completed in pencil, colored pencil, chalk, ink, or watercolor. Turn around time is three days or more.
PENCIL Pencil is a ubiquitous medium and very elemental. Direct, subtle, more limited in value range than ink, unable to achieve darkest blacks, yet infinitely subtle in its sfumato effects.
COLOR PENCIL Pigment in wax, encaustic, is one of the oldest painting mediums known to man. Modern Prismacolor wax pencils are great for quick studies in color on trace paper, combined with either pencil or ink.
WATERCOLOR Whether handled loosely or with precision, watercolor is a medium which architects have used to make subtle wash drawings and travel sketches long before there were schools of architecture. Historically, architects travelled to educate themselves and studied in ateliers, guilds or academies with masters. Drawing was the foundation on which their training was built.
PRICING The renderings in this brochure cost between $600 - $5400. Most renderings cost $800 - $2400. Payment is in two parts, half paid up front to begin work and half paid upon completion, prior to delivery of the final drawings. Typically the client provides plans and elevations from which perspective wireframes are developed and sketched over.
Alternatively, axonometric or isometric drawings may be developed. Attached is an agreement which outlines the illustrator’s and client’s responsibilities. Please contact Jim Cooper with any questions: 917.617.9039 jcooper@studiocooper.con https://studiocooper.squarespace.com/
ARCHITECTURAL ILLUSTRATION SERVICES OFFERED
LOW
HIGH
Perspective construction (typically 8-16 hours)
$760
$1440
Graphite pencil illustration (typically 8-16 hours)
$760
$1440
Colored pencil illustration (typically 8-16 hours)
$760
$1440
Watercolor illustration (typically 8-24 hours)
$760
$2160
Thumbnail design illustration for preliminary visualization (typically 2 hours plus)
$180
$1440
Chalk Illustration on toned paper (typically 8-16 hours)
$760
$1440
JAMES COOPER AGREEMENT FOR ARCHITECTURAL RENDERING SERVICES The following terms are agreed to by architect and client: This Agreement must be accepted and necessary layout information provided by Agreement Date in order for Scheduled Completion Date to be met. Additionally layout approval and material colors must also be provided when requested. Should rescheduling become necessary, every effort will be made to reschedule on a day-for-day basis, but this cannot be assured. Design or Color changes subsequent to Layout Approval may incur additional charges at prevailing hourly rates. Any additional charges will be discussed and approved by both The Client and the Architect at time of change. Agreement Offer is withdrawn fourteen days from agreement date unless accepted within that period. The Architect reserves the right to use the images of the commissioned artwork in his own portfolio and any self-promotion, and/or enter the images into illustration competition. It is agreed that The Architect’s logo/signature will neither be altered nor removed from the original commissioned artwork or from images of the original commissioned artwork without The Architect’s written permission. It is also agreed that neither the original commissioned artwork nor images of the original commissioned artwork may be altered by others without The Architect’s written permission. Commissioned artwork and all images made there from remain the property of The Architect until all agreed fees and reimbursable expenses are paid in full: at which time the right of usage of these images is granted to all direct and indirect parties of this Agreement. The right of a specific usage may be withdrawn should The Architect deem that the specific usage is inappropriate or damaging to the Architect. The images of the commissioned artworks are copyrighted and all copyrights remain the property of The Architect. Any liability of The Architect resulting from this Agreement is limited to the face amount of this Agreement. Should collection expenses be incurred they will be paid by The Client in addition to the agreed fee and reimbursable expenses. Applicable sales taxes will be added unless tax exemption certificate has been provided to The Architect.
Date:
Parties: Address: Contact:
Architect: James Cooper 212 West center Street Medina, NY 14103 Phone: 917.617.9039 email: jcooper@studiocooper.com
Client: Address: Contact:
Phone:___________________________ email:____________________________
Project:
Scope: Schedule: Fee
Expenses Payment
Drawing services to be provided by James Cooper, Architect as follows: Preliminaries due: Final drawing(s) due: (a) The fee for services described will be: (b) The hourly services described above will be: Principal: $90/hour; Staff $60/ hour. (c) Additional services, including in-person and telephone consultations and changes requested by the Client will be provided at the hourly rates stated above. The Client shall reimburse the Architect for all expenses necessitated by the provisions of services which include, but not limited to, travel accommodation, photo, reprographic express mail, and telephone expenses. Initial Payment: the Client agrees to pay the sum of $________ that is, 50% of the total fees, to Architect upon the parties’ signing of the Agreement Final Payment: the Client agrees to pay the sum of $________ that is, 100% of the total fee, to Architect Prior to delivery of the final drawings. The Client agrees to pay any additional fees in the sum of $__________(plus any additional hourly rate charges) to
Originals
Architect upon delivery of the Final Drawings. Payment in full is due immediately upon receipt of invoice. All original drawing(s) shall be the property of the Architect and must be returned unaltered within 30 days after receipt.
Reproduction The Client may reproduce, and use reproductions of, the drawing(s) to promote the project for a period not to exceed twelve months from the date of signing of the Agreement. Any other use shall require the express written permission of the Architect, who holds the copyright to all drawings provided. Credit
The Client shall ensure that proper recognition accompanies any reproduction or publication of the drawings provided by the Architect. The Client acknowledges that proper recognition to the Architect on any reproductions is a term essential to this Agreement. Proper recognition requires the following credit line adjacent to the published image: Architectural Illustration ŠJamesCooper
Acknowledgment The parties agree that they have read and understand the terms of this Agreement and by signing hereunder, acknowledge a receipt of an Executed Agreement. Signatures
Architect__________________________ Date_______________________ Client_____________________________ Date_______________________
JAMES COOPER ARCHITECTURAL RENDERING
Date:
Client: Address: Re: Rendering Invoice
L A C I P Y T E C I O V IN
Dear Client: Fee for watercolor renderings and perspective wireframe drawings as follows: Project familiarization: 4 hrs. x $90 = $360 Entry and upstairs hall perspective wireframe: 8 hrs. x $90 = $720 Entry and upstairs hall watercolor: 12 hrs. x $90 = $1080 Upstairs hall with bookcase perspective wireframe: 8 hrs. x $90 = $720 Upstairs hall with bookcase watercolor: 12 hrs. x $90 = $1080 Total Fee: $2520 Thank you. Best regards,
James M. Cooper
212 West Center Street Medina, New York 14103 917.617.9039 jcooper@studiocooper.com www.studiocooper.squarespace.com