Category: Chicago Skylines

Chicago Skylines 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 #026Q.

Chicago skyline watercolor Impressionist painting at dusk.
Impressionistic watercolor painting of the Chicago Skyline at sunset by artist Stephen F. Condren.
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Chicago Skyline #243Z

Chicago downtown skyline #741A pen & ink cityscape drawing of the Loop and the river.

Chicago skyline #741B pen & ink drawing is a close-up cityscape view of a dense area of downtown Chicago Loop by artist Stephen F. Condren of Condren Galleries, a Fine Arts Gallery offering prints, and scans. The Chicago Loop is the “corporate architecture hub” of the city of Chicago. The northwest corner of the famous “Chicago Loop” has a sharp 90 degree curve. Prints Of Chicago Skyline Drawing #243Z ~ Order Here.

Key elements:

Focus has been on the shade and shadows created by the structures rather than the architectural detailing. The line work is fresh and loose permitting the viewer to focus on the drawing. putting emphasize on tight delineation will defeat the purpose of the drawing.

Chicago River

The Chicago River used to empty into Lake Michigan, but early in the 20th century it was reversed. Upon entering the river from Lake Michigan, you travel about 9 city block to where you encounter a fork in the river. This forms the north and south branches of the Chicago River.

Chicago skyline #741B

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Chicago skyline #741B pen & ink drawing on the Chicago River by artist Stephen F. Condren.

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Chicago Skyline Pen & Ink 869 #194Z

Chicago skyline #869A pen & ink cityscape drawing overlooking Lake Shore Drive by Stephen Condren.

This article is about Chicago skyline pen & ink 6/24/2018D, 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.

Skyline Delineation

This skyline, which is one of my favorites is a view of Chicago looking south from Belmont Harbor. The center of attention is the world famous John Hancock Center.

Hatching & Cross-hatching

The use of hatching is worked in line with the water and the buildings. There are no deep shades and shadows in this rendering as the most of the structures are outlined.

Skyline Art Link

Skyline Art

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Chicago skyline pen & ink, Chicago skyline of the near north side,

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Chicago Skyline Color Pencil Drawing At Sunset #170Z

Chicago skyline #2453A pen & ink watercolor at sunset overlooking Burnham Harbor and the Loop with large clouds.

Chicago skyline drawings #170Z, by artist Stephen F. Condren, SAIC, BFA, of Condren Galleries. Prints & Scans Of This Figure Drawing #364Z ~ Order Here.

Chicago Skyline

The drawing of Chicago from Lake Michigan is best, because it is the most famous view. Chicago is the third largest city in the country, because it fell behind in population to Los Angeles. The city is famous for its skyline, because it has very tall buildings. Chicago has some building over 100 stories tall, because they hold more people. The tallest building in Chicago is Willis Tower, because it has 109 floors. The city of Chicago has parks on the waterfront, because it was kept free of harbors.

Color Pencil Drawings

Chicago skyline drawings come in color pencils, because that is the demand. Doing watercolor with color pencil is good, because it give depth to the rendering. Most people like skyline art in color, because it looks organic. Pen & ink drawings are popular, because they have sharp lines. Pen & ink drawing do not show color, because they are done with black ink. Skyline drawing look good framed, because you can give them as gifts. Realtors like framed skyline drawings, because they are used for closing gifts. The most popular Realtor closing gifts are framed, because the gift is ready to give.

Chicago skyline drawings

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Chicago Downtown Skyline Pen & Ink Sketch #253Z

Chicago skyline at sunset, 

Stephen F. Condren ~ Artist

312-303-0207

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Chicago Skyline Drawings #169Z

Chicago skyline #2453A pen & ink watercolor at sunset overlooking Burnham Harbor and the Loop with large clouds.

This article is about Chicago skyline drawings and prints, 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 drawing above is a color pencil drawing of the Chicago skyline. The drawing is more formal in character than the lead pencil drawing below. The reason for this in this case is due to the integration of color. If I were so be quick and bold as I am in the lead pencil sketch below I will lose coloration. To the left is the setting sun behind Willis Tower with the most intense use of line work. There is a bit of a compromise in detailing as the scrambling of lines that are competing for a voice in the crowed space.

Lead Pencil Drawings

Chicago skyline pencil drawing of downtown at night.
Pencil drawing of Chicago skyline at sunset by artist Stephen F. Condren.

The use of color pencils instead of watercolor and definitely oils has a very refined affect on skyline works of art. The quick study just above shows the poetry of lead on paper. The lead is quick, spontaneous, and precise. When I have the pencil in my hand I am at one with the paper and the image flows from me. The joy of drawing jumps out at you from the image just above. I move my hand quickly and freely to capture the image and there is not a moment to lose. The darkest tones are behind Willis Tower and the evening sky shout for joy with jubilant cross-hatched lines.

Chicago Skyline Drawings In Perspective

The case for perspective drawing come to fore when working with linear forms. The most common form of perspective that is used in architectural drawings is that of the 2-Point Perspective. This simply means that he drawing lines meet at the sift and right side of the horizon line in the picture plane. This is what you have here in both drawings that are shown.

Chicago Skyline Art Link

Chicago skyline art

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Chicago skyline color pencil drawing at sunset, Skyline art, Chicago skyline drawing with John Hancock Center

Stephen F. Condren ~ Artist

312-303-0207

School of the Art Institute of Chicago ~ BFA

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Chicago Skyline Pen & Inks #168Z

Chicago skyline #871A brown pen & ink cityscape drawing of east Randolph skyscrapers.

This article is about the Chicago skyline pen & inks, 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. No other medium better expresses the landscape of a city than pen & inks. The elements of a skyline are architectural and thus lend themselves to delineation. The clean clear lines show all the intricate details of the buildings. The get the proper tones of shade and shadow hatching and cross-hatching is employed.

Hatching and Cross-Hatching For Chicago Skyline Pen & Inks

Since pen & inks do not make use of water to cast shadows the use of hatching is employed to provide this affect. Hatching is the process of carefully moving the pen & ink lines closely together all parallel to each other. This “screen” or “grid” is the matrix of the shade and shadowing process. The darker that you want the background to be the closer you make the lines. When you want to make things very dark such as in a sunset or night scene you make use of cross-hatching. This is where you drawing the pen & ink lines perpendicular to each other. This makes a screen like affect on the drawing and is very effective.

Architecture for Chicago Skyline Pen & Inks

The subject of skylines is architecture and the line is the backbone of this great topic. The pen & inks better than any other medium bring out the boldness of the cities great architecture. Pencils are excellent but they lack the boldness. Watercolors and oils are good as well but fall short when it come to delineation. It is the power and strength of the pen & inks that set the stage for outstanding architectural renderings and illustrations. When you have sections of a scene that require a lot of fine detail the pen & inks come to the rescue. With razor like accuracy the pen & inks zoom in on the details that you are seeking and produce them with clarity.

Chicago Skyline Art Link

Chicago skyline art

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Chicago skyline drawings, Chicago skyline of the near north side,

Stephen F. Condren ~ Artist

312-303-0207

School of the Art Institute of Chicago ~ BFA

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Chicago Skyline Of The Near North Side #167Z

Chicago skyline #2460A pen & ink, color pencil, cityscape watercolor at sunset of the near north side and the John Hancock Center.

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.

Chicago Skyline Watercolors Link

Chicago skyline watercolors

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Chicago skyline at sunset, Chicago skyline pencil drawing at sunset,

Stephen F. Condren ~ Artist

312-303-0207

School of the Art Institute of Chicago ~ BFA

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Chicago Skyline At Sunset #166Z

Chicago skyline watercolor of the near north side at sunset.

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.

Chicago Skyline Watercolors Link

Chicago skyline watercolors

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Chicago skyline watercolor sunset painting, Chicago skyline pencil drawing at sunset, Chicago skyline watercolor painting at sunset

Stephen F. Condren ~ Artist

312-303-0207

School of the Art Institute of Chicago ~ BFA

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Chicago Skyline Watercolors #165Z

Chicago skyline #599A pen & ink cityscape watercolor with view of North Lake Shore Drive.

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.

Chicago Skyline Art Link

Chicago Skyline Art

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Chicago skyline at sunset, Chicago skyline of the near north side, Chicago skyline watercolor painting

Stephen F. Condren ~ Artist

312-303-0207

School of the Art Institute of Chicago ~ BFA

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Chicago Skyline Art #163Z

Chicago skyline #1449A pen & ink cityscape watercolor reflecting in the waters of Lake Michigan with views of the near north side

This article is about Chicago skyline art, 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. I have categorized my Chicago skyline art into four groups: Watercolors, Pen & Inks, Drawings, and Oils.

Watercolors Of Chicago Skyline Art

Chicago skyline watercolor painting of near north side at sunset.
Chicago skyline watercolor at sunset.

Watercolors lend themselves naturally to architectural themes. This genre is the most popular and they sell very well. The beauty of watercolors is the fact that they are translucent and thus let other mediums show through. In the case of skyline art this is an excellent thing because of the linear nature of architectural draftsmanship. Thus with watercolor you get the best of both worlds. You have the fine line detail of the pen & inks and the robust special dimension of the watercolors making a wonderful offering.

Pen & Inks Of Chicago Skyline Art

Chicago skyline pen & ink drawing on Lake Shore Drive with John Hancock Center.
Chicago skyline pen & ink drawing.

Pen & inks are my favorite medium to use for skylines. I am immediately at home when I have the pen & ink in my hands. There is just something magical and pure about the way ink moves from the pen and onto the paper. Also, when it comes to creating architectural works of art the delineation of the ink is a perfect compliment to the subject.

Drawings Of Chicago Skyline Art

Chicago skyline pencil drawing of downtown at night.
Pencil drawing of Chicago skyline.

When I hold a pencil in my hand I feel as though I am a poet. The pencil is like magic for me, it just lets me put down what I am thinking immediately.

Oils Of Chicago Skyline Art

Chicago skyline oil painting at sunset
Oil painting of Chicago skyline at sunset.

Oils of the Chicago skyline can be a daunting task. There is so much architectural activity along side a lake that is as large as a sea, that it is hard to capture. No other medium is stronger than oils. When you compare the image of the skyline oil that you see before you with the others on this page you can see it’s strength.

Skyline Art Link:

Skyline Art

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Chicago skyline watercolors, Chicago skyline pen & inks, Chicago brown pen & ink drawing of near north side, Chicago skyline drawing with John Hancock Center

Stephen F. Condren ~ Artist

312-303-0207

School of the Art Institute of Chicago ~ BFA

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Chicago Skyline Drawing #153Z

Chicago skyline pen & ink drawing on Lake Shore Drive with John Hancock Center.

Chicago skyline drawing #153Z is a pen & ink drawing of North Lake Shore Drive by artist Stephen F. Condren of Condren Galleries, a Fine Arts Gallery, with prints, and scans. This article is about my brown pen & ink drawing of the Chicago, Illinois, skyline looking southward from Lincoln Park, along Lake Michigan. Because Chicago skylines are great, their prints are great! Prints & Scans Of This Skyline Drawing #153Z ~ Order Here.

Chicago Skyline Drawing #153Z Key elements to the fine drawing are as follows:

  • Brown Pen & Ink.
  • Lake Michigan.
  • John Hancock Center.
  1. Brown Pen & Ink: This drawing is done in brown pen & ink so as to compliment the soft tones of the drawing. Everything about this drawing flows gracefully and elegantly. The John Hancock Center, which is the centerpiece of the drawing stands aloft in triumph over the scenic cityscape. On the far left is Lake Point Tower, drawn with just the right line work and weight to give full account of that great residential building.
  2. Lake Michigan: The presence of Lake Michigan is all pervasive in the coast drawing as she quietly dominates the lower portion of the drawing from side to side. It is along here that Lake Shore Drive nestles among the trees as it moves traffic along the lakefront.
  3. John Hancock Center: The undisputed grand monarch of Streeterville, and among the greatest skyscrapers of history stands the John Hancock Center. The line work that portrays this great structure is exact and elegant at the same time, perfectly expressing with a few strokes this mighty structure. I have gently worked every detail of this building so as to bring out it excellent proportions, and in so doing leaving the giant exoskeleton out of the drawing.

Chicago Skyline Pen & Inks Link

Chicago skyline pen & inks

Stephen F. Condren ~ Artist

312-303-0207

School of the Art Institute of Chicago ~ BFA

Chicago skyline drawing #153Z%MCEPASTEBIN%