text: I would suggest art classes (when time permits).  There are many tricks that a good art teacher can pass on to you.  I took adult art classes to improve my musicianship (trombone!).  Who knows more about shading, right?  I was amazed how you can create the illusion of a shadow for an apple (in less than 10 seconds).\n\nI found a book that showed how adults improve almost overnight by drawing up-side-down because you draw what you see and not what you expect to see (see link but it is not the book).  Most people's artistic skills were arrested at their last art class (third grade?) and need to break free of obsolete stick figures.  Also, when drawing a chair do you draw the legs or the spaces defined by the the legs.  Point is that drawing (rendering?) is a skill many have mastered and are willing to teach.  You might also discover a great hobby for relaxation from your career as an architect.  Good luck.