Drawing an LDS (Latter-day Saint) temple can be a meaningful artistic endeavor, whether you're creating artwork for personal expression, educational tools, or spiritual inspiration. These distinctive buildings feature unique architectural elements that set them apart from other structures. This guide will walk you through the process of capturing the essence of an LDS temple in your drawings.
Understanding LDS Temple Architecture
Before putting pencil to paper, it helps to understand what makes LDS temples visually distinctive. Most temples feature clean lines, spires reaching toward heaven, and symbolic elements like angel Moroni statues. The Salt Lake Temple showcases Gothic and Romanesque influences with its six-spire design and rough-hewn granite exterior. Newer temples often embrace more streamlined, contemporary aesthetics while maintaining spiritual symbolism.
Common architectural elements include pitched roofs, ornate stonework, symmetrical facades, and impressive entranceways. Many temples incorporate local cultural influences, making each one unique to its geographic location. Pay attention to these details—they're what make an LDS temple immediately recognizable.
Gathering Reference Materials
Start your drawing process by collecting quality photographs of the specific temple you want to draw. Official Church websites, architectural photography sites, and temple dedication materials offer excellent high-resolution images. Pay attention to multiple angles—front facades, side profiles, and aerial views if available.
Essential Reference Points
- Overall proportions and height-to-width ratios
- Spiers or steeples placement and detailing
- Window patterns and architectural ornamentation
- Surrounding landscape and grounds
- Shadow patterns at different times of day
Step-by-Step Drawing Process
Begin with light pencil sketches establishing the basic geometric shapes that form the temple's foundation. Most LDS temples start with rectangular or square main structures. Map out where spires, entranceways, and wings will sit before adding any detail work.
Once your basic proportions look correct, begin refining architectural details. Add window frames, stone textures, and the distinctive spire work. For the iconic angel Moroni statue typically found atop spires, focus on the flowing robes and trumpet position rather than intricate facial features—at most drawing scales, suggestion works better than literal detail.
Work from background to foreground, starting with the sky and distant elements before addressing the temple itself and finally any landscaping or grounds in the foreground. This approach prevents smudging and allows for easier correction of early composition choices.
Choosing Your Medium
Graphite pencils offer excellent control for beginners and allow easy corrections. For more experienced artists, pen and ink creates striking, detailed architectural renderings. Digital drawing tools provide flexibility with layers and undo options that traditional media can't match.
Watercolor overlays work beautifully for capturing the luminous quality of temple grounds at twilight or dawn. Whichever medium you choose, practice your techniques on preliminary studies before committing to a final piece.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Aspiring temple artists frequently struggle with perspective—ensure your vanishing points align correctly, especially for large structures viewed at angles. Another common error is rushing past the groundwork; accurate initial sketching saves significant rework later. Additionally, avoid overworking small details before establishing the overall composition and mood of your piece.
Final Thoughts
Drawing an LDS temple successfully requires patience, observation, and respect for the architectural and spiritual significance of these buildings. Start simple, build complexity gradually, and don't hesitate to study how professional architectural illustrators approach similar subjects. With practice, you'll develop skills that honor both the craft of building and the art of drawing.
