Sketching a slice of Transylvania – a drawing tutorial by Dan Hogman
by Dan HogmanSep 18, 2019
by Dan HogmanPublished on : Sep 25, 2019
The Ace Hotel Downtown Los Angeles sits inside the historic fabric of United Artists Building – the one that was built as a flagship for the maverick film studio, and was once the tallest structure in the city post its construction in 1927, by architect C. Howard Crane. The 2014 refurbished hotel features Gothic-inspired architectural elements with ornate details and spires inspired from the ornament extravagance of Spanish castles and cathedrals. Today, it stands as an expression of the decadence of 1920s Hollywood glamour and democracy of modern minimalism.
This week, our columnist Dan Hogman seeks inspiration in the façade of this building that manifests elegance through its impressive terracotta and cast stone cladding. He zooms into the lower three storeys, and sketches beautifully its symmetrical design and details, which include Gothic tracery, double-wide arched windows, capital columns, and decorative human figures that alternate between the piers.
Watch this space every Wednesday for more tutorials by Dan Hogman.
by Anmol Ahuja Aug 21, 2026
A conversation with the 2026 winner of the Royal Gold Medal for architecture spotlights his body of work, the philosophies grounding it and the framing of legacy in an active career.
by Mrinmayee Bhoot Aug 19, 2026
The London-based studio elaborates on their investigations into how the food we consume links us to larger ecosystems, and how that can be a tool for resistance.
by Pranjal Maheshwari Aug 18, 2026
The Lebanese designer accentuates the material history, motifs and spatial rhythms of Tashkent’s Okhun Gozar, extensively using wood to transform it into a crafts salon.
by Pranjal Maheshwari Aug 14, 2026
In conversation with panellists at the UIA World Congress in Barcelona, STIR probes their analysis of the symposium’s theme and its importance in the face of global polycrises.
Enter your details to sign in
Don’t have an account?
Sign upOr you can sign in with
a single account for all
STIR platforms
All your bookmarks will be available across all your devices.
Stay STIRred
Already have an account?
Sign inOr you can sign up with
Verification link sent to check your inbox or spam folder to complete sign up process
Tap on things that interests you.
Select the Conversation Category you would like to watch
Please enter your details and click submit.
Enter the 6-digit code sent at
Sketching the face of Ace Hotel Los Angeles – a drawing tutorial by Dan Hogman
by Dan Hogman | Published on : Sep 25, 2019
What do you think?