Chicago watercolors by artist and architectural illustrator, Stephen F. Condren, BFA-SAIC, of Condren Galleries, a Fine Arts Gallery, with JPEG & PDF scan and prints of Chicago skyline watercolors #029Q.
Chicago skyline watercolor painting of the near north side over the lake showing the John Hancock Center by artist Stephen F. Condren.
This article is about Chicago skyline watercolor John Hancock Center, which is for sale at discount with prints by artist Stephen F. Condren, BFA-SAIC, of Condren Galleries, a Fine Arts Gallery, offering JPEG & PDF scans. At the center of the watercolor stands the Palmolive Building and the Drake Hotel below it. However, the giant on the scene is the world famous John Hancock Center. Sadly however, the name has been dropped from the building and is up for sale. The current designation for the building is 875 N. Michigan Avenue.
Color Pencils
The watercolor is a mix of brushed watercolor paint and color pencils. I have made a point of leaving the lines to show clearly. Like a pen & ink, the colored lines offering us color rather than black ink.
This article is about the Chicago skyline watercolor #166Z of the near north side at sunset is taken from the south, which is for sale at discount with prints by artist Stephen F. Condren, BFA-SAIC, of Condren Galleries, a Fine Arts Gallery, offering JPEG & PDF scans. The main focus of the watercolor is east Randolph Street. This amazing short road only goes east a few blocks from Michigan Avenue out into the lake. However, this short strip probably has the highest proportion of tall buildings per block than any other city including Manhattan Island.
This article is about Chicago skyline watercolors and prints, which is for sale at discount with prints by artist Stephen F. Condren, BFA-SAIC, of Condren Galleries, a Fine Arts Gallery. Prints & Scans Of This Chicago Skyline Watercolor #363Z ~ Order Here.
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Chicago Skyline Watercolors
Watercolor are a wonderful medium to do skylines with. The greatest quality of watercolors are their ability to carry pigment through water giving a transparent effect. This effect makes it easy to introduce pen & ink and pencil lines to the a work of art. In the case of skyline painting this is especially true due to the architectural nature of the subject. Buildings require delineation and thus watercolor permit this access of lines.
Scale & Perspective
In general, the scale of most watercolor, no matter what genre are small. This is because you are working with fine lines and providing a lot of detail in a small about of space. Imagine, if you will, having the Sistine Chapel executed in watercolors with the same detailed. You would not be able to see anything, it would all look like a blur. This is where perspective comes into play, due to the fine detail you have to accommodate the space of the viewer. Providing watercolors in a scale that can be handles or easily looked is the best code of practice.
Light
As with all works of art, light is crucial. One of the most important elements of watercolor painting is freshness. When you put the brush to the paper you have to work it the way that you want and quickly. If you do not, then the work of art becomes murky and looks worked or over tooled, something to be avoided at all costs.
This article is about Chicago skyline watercolors #149Z are metropolitan cityscape paintings, which is for sale at discount with prints by artist Stephen F. Condren, BFA-SAIC, of Condren Galleries, a Fine Arts Gallery, offering JPEG & PDF scans. Because Chicago is on the water, it has a shoreline.
This article is about Chicago skyline #084Z Watercolor Sunset Painting, which is for sale at discount with prints by artist Stephen F. Condren, BFA-SAIC, of Condren Galleries, a Fine Arts Gallery, offering JPEG & PDF scans. This article is about my watercolor painting of the Chicago, Illinois, skyline at sunset. The view of Chicago from Lake Michigan overlooking the Loop from Burnham Harbor is the most popular view of the city. The lakefront is like the front door to Chicago and the key access point. Having Chicago on the shore of a great body of water offers many wonderful opportunities for artist. The shimmering lights of the skyscrapers can be rendered so beautifully as a mirror on the water.
Burnham Harbor
Daniel Burnham had in his famous “Plan of Chicago” to make the heart of Chicago start at the center of the harbor and radiate outward like a Chinese hand fan.
This article is about Chicago skyline #083ZÂ Watercolor Painting, which is for sale at discount with prints by artist Stephen F. Condren, BFA-SAIC, of Condren Galleries, a Fine Arts Gallery, offering JPEG & PDF scans. This is my Chicago skyline watercolor painting of Chicago, Illinois, skyline at Streeterville. Prints & Scans Of This Drawing #083Z ~ Order Here.
Chicago Skyline Watercolor Painting #853. Key elements to this work of art are as follows.
Chicago skyline watercolor with John Hancock Center.
John Hancock Center
Elevation
Delineation
John Hancock Center: The John Hancock Center is centerpiece of the watercolor painting. The tapering of the walls of this famous skyscraper lends itself to the formation of the cluster of building that form the apex with the antennae.
Elevation: The elevation of the watercolor is right on Lake Shore Drive. I have omitted any waterfront so as to focus on the structures. A thin strand of trees form a buffer between the shoreline and the buildings.
Delineation:Â I have used a more careful line work for this watercolor. The lines on the John Hancock Center are clean and clear not loose and free. The lines on the lower building are looser.
This article is about Chicago skyline #082ZÂ Watercolor Painting At Sunset #788. Chicago Skyline Watercolor Painting At Sunset #788, which is for sale at discount with prints by artist Stephen F. Condren, BFA-SAIC, of Condren Galleries, a Fine Arts Gallery, offering JPEG & PDF scans. This is my Chicago skyline watercolor painting of the Chicago, Illinois, skyline at sunset.
Chicago Skyline Watercolor Painting At Sunset #788. Key elements to this work of art are as follows.
This Chicago skyline #081ZÂ Watercolor Sunset Painting Of East Randolph Street #781, which is for sale at discount with prints by artist Stephen F. Condren, BFA-SAIC, of Condren Galleries, a Fine Arts Gallery, offering JPEG & PDF scans. This is my watercolor sunset painting of the Chicago, Illinois, skyline at sunset on east Randolph Street.
Chicago Skyline Watercolor Sunset Painting Of East Randolph Street #781. Key elements to this work of art are as follows:
Sunset
Delineation
Lake Michigan
Sunset: The sunset is the backdrop to on-stage drama of the tower skyscrapers on east Randolph Street. A muted yellow, brown, and red are combined to give off a soft glowing sunset.
Delineation: The line work on this watercolor is here to give address to the famous buildings along this drive. There is no use of hatches or cross hatching, just simple horizontal and vertical lines put together to yield to us a great form.
Lake Michigan: The view is from Burnham Harbor with is on Lake Michigan. We are looking north at the edge of the harbor. There is very little water to be seen in this watercolor but the little that there is strongly supports the domineering skyscrapers just above.
This article is about Chicago skyline #080ZÂ Watercolor Painting Of East Randolph Street #780, which is for sale at discount with prints by artist Stephen F. Condren, BFA-SAIC, of Condren Galleries, a Fine Arts Gallery, offering JPEG & PDF scans. This is my watercolor painting of the Chicago, Illinois, skyline at east Randolph Street.
Chicago Skyline Watercolor Painting Of East Randolph Street #780. Key elements of this work of art are as follows.
Delineation
Skyscrapers
Lake Michigan
Delineation: The lines in this watercolor are done with pen & ink and are the most essential element of the watercolor, for it is the line that gives form to the structures and not the watercolor, which merely renders the tone.
Skyscrapers: The skyscrapers are composed of ink lines rather than pencil or paint, it should be noted that the watercolor is first drafted out in pencil in the most loose terms.
Lake Michigan: The image of Lake Michigan is at the lowest level, however, this is the level that support the scene and give us the horizon line.
Chicago Skyline Watercolor Painting At Sunset #775. Key elements to this work of art are as follows.
Color
Contour
Light
Color: The colors are a simple contrasting of yellows and blues. It was my intention to make a silhouette of this work and the wonderful display of angles given to us by the cityscape lent itself to this vision. In the right center can be seen the image of the broad shouldered Willis Tower.
Contour: The contour of the watercolor is down with paint not line. No delineation of any kind is done in this pure watercolor. There are traces of the original pencil sketch that commenced the piece but this is more fundament and basic is level than the finished contour of the cityscape.
Light: The light is a wonderful array of yellows in the evening sky and reflected in the water below. It is the sunset that really makes the piece and not the buildings, whose task is to pay homage to the sun!
