Discover how to draw like autistic artist Richard Wawro with our step-by-step guide. Make a detailed landscape like him and create your own masterpiece!

Finished cityscape example to draw like artist Stephen Wiltshire using a dot grid template.

Draw Like Artist Stephen Wiltshire Art Lesson

Using a dot grid template makes this cityscape lesson feel instantly doable for grades 2–5. Students can draw straight, clean building edges without a ruler, which keeps frustration low and confidence high from the very first step.

Because the grid supports spacing and alignment, students have more time and brainpower for the fun part—adding details. Tiny windows, repeating patterns, signs, bricks, and rooftop shapes turn simple skyline blocks into drawings that look impressively “real.”

This project is also a sneaky-strong fine motor workout. All those short lines, small shapes, and careful repeats build hand control and drawing stamina while students stay focused on a clear, step-by-step plan.

Best of all, it’s low-prep and low-mess: paper, a black marker, and your printable grid. That makes it an easy win for busy art teachers who want big results, simple setup, and a classroom full of proud “architect” artists.

Stephen Wiltshire and Drawing Cityscapes From Memory

Stephen Wiltshire is a British architectural artist known for drawing highly detailed cityscapes, sometimes after observing a place only briefly. His work shows what can happen when an artist pays close attention to shapes, spacing, and tiny details.

In this lesson, students will “draw like Stephen Wiltshire” by practicing the same habits architectural artists use: start with big building shapes, keep lines straight with a guide, and build up repeating patterns like windows and bricks. The dot grid helps kids focus on careful placement and proportion without getting stuck on rulers.

This project also offers a meaningful connection for April during Autism Awareness/Acceptance month. It’s a respectful way to highlight an autistic artist’s strengths and remind students that artists’ brains work in different ways—and those differences can lead to incredible creativity.