Case Study 4

Sketch-to-Rendering Comparison: Exploring Atmosphere, Light, and Mood in Conceptual Park Design

Turning a hand-drawn concept into a fully rendered environment is more than simply translating lines into geometry—it’s about capturing the feeling of a place. For this comparison, the focus shifts from architecture to atmosphere, using simple visual cues in the original artwork as a foundation for a layered, immersive park experience.

The original sketch, created by Sterling Morris (sourced from his LinkedIn page), sets the emotional tone with expressive linework and loose textures. Even without color, the drawing suggests the qualities of the space: a calm walkway, soft tree canopies, and a small café structure tucked under a sculptural roof. The sketch hints at movement, community, and a relaxed park experience through gestural figures and the open sky above.

In the photorealistic rendering, those early atmospheric gestures evolve into a vivid, lifelike scene. Light becomes one of the primary storytellers—filtered morning sun pours through layers of foliage, casting soft shadows across the walkway and planting beds. The vegetation gains depth and richness, introducing a lush palette that reinforces the park’s calm, restorative character. The café feels grounded in its surroundings, and the people moving through the path bring the environment to life in a gentle, natural way.

The two stylistic Lumion renders intentionally step back toward the sketch, blending realism with looseness. Their softened edges, diffused lighting, and painterly transitions echo the original hand-drawn mood and create an inviting, almost dreamlike quality. These images bridge the gap between the tactile immediacy of pencil on paper and the clarity of a built-environment visualization. They preserve the spontaneity and conceptual energy of the sketch while still exploring lighting, materials, and planting structure.

Across all versions—sketch, photorealistic render, and hybrid conceptual renderings—the core idea remains consistent: a peaceful park space where people can gather, walk, and enjoy the landscape. What changes is the emotional lens. The sketch feels imaginative and open-ended. The photoreal image feels grounded and real. The hybrid renders feel atmospheric and interpretive, sitting comfortably between concept and final vision.

This progression highlights the versatility of tools like SketchUp and Lumion—not just for technical accuracy, but for shaping mood, tone, and narrative, ensuring the final experience stays true to the spirit captured in the very first lines on paper.