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Sonia Nicolson

Architect, Educator & Architecture Mentor

Architecture School & Drawing Blog

Read practical tips, creative stories & resources for students, architects & designers - from career advice to hand drawing, sketching & studio life.

Sonia Nicolson
  • Start Here/
  • Learn/
  • Portfolio/
  • Work With Me/
    • Portfolio Confidence Review™
    • 1:1 Architecture Tutorial
    • 1:1 Architecture Mentoring
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Blog

Architecture Drawing | Architecture Education | Creative Business | Life & Creativity

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January 21, 2026

How to Improve Your Architecture Drawing Skills (Even If You Think You’re Bad at Drawing)

January 21, 2026/ Sonia Nicolson
How to Improve Your Architecture Drawing Skills (Even If You Think You’re Bad at Drawing)

Many architecture students believe they’re bad at drawing, when in reality they were never properly taught. This post shares a clear framework for improving architectural drawing skills by focusing on foundations, perspective, and intentional practice.

Read More
January 21, 2026/ Sonia Nicolson/
Architecture & Interiors
architecture-drawing, improve drawing skills, architecture drawing, learn to draw, drawing confidence, sketching architecture, hand drawing architecture, drawing techniques, architecture student, design students, creative practice, drawing tutorial, female architect, sonia nicolson, Thinking About Architecture or Design School, Starting Architecture School, Studying Architecture or Design, Building My Portfolio
June 11, 2025

How to Overcome Perfectionism and Start Drawing Freely

June 11, 2025/ Sonia Nicolson
How to Overcome Perfectionism and Start Drawing Freely

Struggling with perfectionism in your sketching practice? Learn how to let go of the pressure to make every drawing perfect so you can enjoy the process, grow your skills, and fall in love with drawing again. Especially helpful for beginner urban sketchers and creatives.

Read More
June 11, 2025/ Sonia Nicolson/
Architecture & Interiors
architecture-drawing, overcome perfectionism, creative mindset, drawing confidence, start drawing, creative block, improve drawing skills, architecture drawing, sketching architecture, architecture student, design students, creative practice, female architect, sonia nicolson, Thinking About Architecture or Design School, Studying Architecture or Design
 
 
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About Sonia Nicolson

Sonia Nicolson is a Chartered Architect and Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, with 15+ years of international experience in Architecture, Interior Architecture & Design, and design education. She has taught and mentored over 8,000 students worldwide.

Today, Sonia helps future and current architecture, interior architecture and interior design students bridge the gap between school, university and the beginning of their creative careers - from preparing for architecture school and building strong portfolios to developing drawing and design skills, navigating studio projects and preparing for what comes next.

Through her free resources, courses, ebooks, portfolio reviews, tutorials and 1:1 mentoring, Sonia makes architecture and design education clear, practical and accessible - especially for students who feel like everyone else already knows what they're doing.

Start wherever you are in your journey on the Start Here page.


New here? Start with these

Thinking about studying architecture or design, preparing for your first year, building your portfolio or already navigating architecture school? Start with these popular guides.

Architecture School & Drawing Blog
Dear Architecture Student: What I Want You to Know Before Your First Day of Architecture School
Dear Architecture Student: What I Want You to Know Before Your First Day of Architecture School

Starting architecture school is exciting, overwhelming and probably unlike anything you’ve done before. As an architect and former university lecturer, here’s what I want every new architecture student to know before their first day - from studio culture and tutorials to drawing, time management, making friends and getting the most from your course.

Read more →
How to Draw One-Point Perspective: A Step-by-Step Guide for Architecture & Interior Design Students
How to Draw One-Point Perspective: A Step-by-Step Guide for Architecture & Interior Design Students

How to Draw One-Point Perspective: A Step-by-Step Guide for Architecture & Interior Design Students.

Read more →
The Complete Guide to Studying Architecture at University
The Complete Guide to Studying Architecture at University

A comprehensive guide for future architecture and design students. Learn how to choose the right course, prepare your portfolio, fund your studies, and thrive at university.

Read more →
Architecture & Design Portfolio Preparation Guide (University Interviews)
Architecture & Design Portfolio Preparation Guide (University Interviews)

Preparing for an architecture or design university interview? This comprehensive portfolio preparation guide, written by a former university lecturer, shows you exactly what to include, how to present your work, and what interviewers are really looking for, so you can walk in feeling confident and prepared.

Read more →

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Sonia Nicolson

Architect & former University Lecturer turned Entrepreneur. I help female Entrepreneurs successfully Design & Build their Creative Businesses in Interior Design, Architecture & Urban Sketching. 


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Hi, I’m Sonia Nicolson

Architect & former University Lecturer helping students start and succeed in architecture school.

start here

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Professional Credentials

  • Chartered Architect

  • Fellow of the Higher Education Academy

  • Senior Lecturer, Arts University Bournemouth (UK)

  • Academic Representative, British Council (Design Education)

  • Academic Director, Raffles Design Institute (India)


How to Draw Perspective: A Step-by-Step Guide for Architecture & Interior Design Students
How to Draw Perspective: A Step-by-Step Guide for Architecture & Interior Design Students
$39.00

Stop copying perspective tutorials. Start understanding why the lines go where they go.

If you can follow a perspective tutorial while you're watching it, but struggle to recreate the drawing on your own, you're not alone.

Perspective can feel complicated when you've been shown what to draw without being taught why you're drawing it.

“...allowed it to finally click.”- Kayla, Architecture Student, USA

“Something I had struggled with felt much more manageable.” - Kshaf, BA (Hons) Architecture, UK

“The explanations are simple and easy to understand...the exercises helped me practise and understand perspective more clearly.” - Vinesh Mistry, India

This book breaks perspective down into a clear, visual, step-by-step system so you can understand the rules, practise them, and start constructing perspective drawings for yourself.

Perspective is a system you can learn.

Drawing is a skill, not a talent.



Book a Portfolio Confidence Review
Portfolio Confidence Review™ Portfolio Confidence Review™ Portfolio Confidence Review™
Portfolio Confidence Review™
from $195.00

Professional Architecture Portfolio Feedback Before You Submit

Not sure if your architecture portfolio is ready?

Whether you're applying to architecture school, preparing a postgraduate application or looking for your first architecture job, knowing what to include, what to improve and what to leave out can feel overwhelming.

I'm Sonia Nicolson, a Chartered Architect and former University Lecturer with over 15 years of experience teaching, mentoring and reviewing architecture students' work.

My Portfolio Confidence Review™ gives you honest, constructive and personalised feedback so you can see what's working, identify what needs improving and know exactly what to focus on next.

This isn't about changing your work into someone else's style. It's about helping you communicate your strongest work with confidence.

Choose Your Review

Portfolio Confidence Review™ — $195

Perfect if you'd like expert feedback on your portfolio before submitting it.

You'll receive:

  • A personalised recorded video review of your portfolio

  • Professional feedback on your project selection, drawings, layout and presentation

  • Clear, prioritised recommendations for improvement

  • Practical next steps you can work through at your own pace

  • Delivery within five working days of receiving your portfolio and supporting information

Portfolio Confidence Review™ + Follow-Up — $295

For students who'd also like the opportunity to discuss their feedback with me personally.

You'll receive everything included in the standard review, plus:

  • A private 30-minute Zoom follow-up

  • The opportunity to ask questions about your review

  • Personalised guidance on the changes you're considering

  • Help prioritising your improvements before submission

I recommend watching your recorded review and beginning to work through the feedback before our call, so we can use our time together effectively.

How It Works

1. Book your review. Choose your package and complete your purchase.

2. Send your portfolio. I'll email you to request your portfolio as a single PDF, along with a few details about your application or goals.

3. Receive your feedback. Within five working days of receiving your materials, I'll send you a personalised recorded video review.

4. Strengthen your portfolio. Work through your recommendations. If you've purchased the follow-up package, we'll also arrange your private Zoom call.

Your portfolio doesn't need to be perfect before you send it. That's what the review is for.

Choose your package below and book your review.



 
 

Sonia Nicolson

Architect | Educator | Creator

Helping future and current architecture, interior architecture and interior design students bridge the gap between school, university and the beginning of their creative careers.

 
 

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The Architecture Letter

Drawing tips, architecture school advice and lessons from my years as an architect & university lecturer. 

Designed to help you build your skills, find your confidence and enjoy the creative process.

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