Which statement is true about the first step in drawing a terrain sketch?

Which statement is true about the first step in drawing a terrain sketch?

• A. The skyline is drawn last
• B. The skyline is drawn first
• C. The legend is drawn first
• D. The north arrow is drawn first

Answer: (B)

Establishing a stable horizon reference by drawing the skyline first gives you a fixed frame to place all terrain features. When the skyline is in place, you know where the ground silhouettes meet the sky, which helps you judge elevations, slopes, and the relative positions of features consistently as you add contours and details. This starting reference keeps everything aligned and proportional, so later elements—roads, rivers, hills, and landmarks—fit correctly with the viewer’s perspective. If the skyline were drawn later, you’d risk misalignment and distortion as you try to force features to fit a changing baseline. The other items (like the north arrow or legend) are important, but they don’t provide the essential framework that the skyline offers for accurate placement and perspective from the outset.

Establishing a stable horizon reference by drawing the skyline first gives you a fixed frame to place all terrain features. When the skyline is in place, you know where the ground silhouettes meet the sky, which helps you judge elevations, slopes, and the relative positions of features consistently as you add contours and details. This starting reference keeps everything aligned and proportional, so later elements—roads, rivers, hills, and landmarks—fit correctly with the viewer’s perspective. If the skyline were drawn later, you’d risk misalignment and distortion as you try to force features to fit a changing baseline. The other items (like the north arrow or legend) are important, but they don’t provide the essential framework that the skyline offers for accurate placement and perspective from the outset.