The following is a photo of the current state of my work in progress painting of the old Metropolitan Life Tower as it sits in the skyline of New York City. I captured this scene on a beautiful late summer evening as I sailed down the Hudson River on board a Holland American Ship on the way to Bermuda.
This is the next step in the evolution of the painting. This phase included a number of subtle perspective modifications, and the addition of more and varied color content in the sky, clouds, and the small red building just to the left of the tower. There also is and enhancement of the contrast between the light and shadow areas. The addition of colors to the sky and clouds is aimed at achieving a subtle gradation and variation as you progress from the horizon toward the higher reaches of the evening sky on a beautiful clear late afternoon sky.
Comparing this photo with the previous one you can see, in addition to added detail, that the four major areas of change include the sky, the cloud, the front shadow edge of the building, and highlights.
The sky now has a more pronounced gradation of from dark warmer to lighter and cooler as you approach the horizon. The main cloud now has a more integrated shape with with greater color content. The front edge of the building now appears to protrude from the surface due to the the contrast of the darker cool shadow and the warmer sunlit front surface on the lefthand side of the front plane. The highlights and added details include bright spots on the dome, the water towers, chimneys, and the surfaces of the brick buildings.
The sky now has a more pronounced gradation of from dark warmer to lighter and cooler as you approach the horizon. The main cloud now has a more integrated shape with with greater color content. The front edge of the building now appears to protrude from the surface due to the the contrast of the darker cool shadow and the warmer sunlit front surface on the lefthand side of the front plane. The highlights and added details include bright spots on the dome, the water towers, chimneys, and the surfaces of the brick buildings.
What originally drew me to this motif was that the tower and the red building just to the front left. looked like a bit of Italy along the Hudson. My daughter later identified the building for me as the old Metropolitan Life Insurance Company Tower. It was originally built in 1909 and was the tallest building in the world for three years.
Interestingly enough, my suspicion of an Italian connection was borne out! The original design of the building was based on the campanile (clock and bell tower) of Campanile de San Marco in Venice!
The Met Life Company has moved to their new headquarter uptown. The building is currently occupied by Credit Suisse which refers to the building as Eleven Madison Avenue, EMA.
I am really enjoyed working on this painting with its interesting light and shadows of the evening. I felt like I was building a bit of Italy in the new world! I just had so much fun with this painting that wanted to share my progress!
Interestingly enough, my suspicion of an Italian connection was borne out! The original design of the building was based on the campanile (clock and bell tower) of Campanile de San Marco in Venice!
The Met Life Company has moved to their new headquarter uptown. The building is currently occupied by Credit Suisse which refers to the building as Eleven Madison Avenue, EMA.
I am really enjoyed working on this painting with its interesting light and shadows of the evening. I felt like I was building a bit of Italy in the new world! I just had so much fun with this painting that wanted to share my progress!
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