Skyline Paintings

Until modern times there was not much visual distinction between larger urban cities other than a few monuments and various scattered church spires. Now we are in a new age the age of the towering skyscraper.

More than anything since the advent of the Eiffel Tower cities have come to be known for key structures that stand out and dominate the skyline, the Eiffel Tower is a case in point. Now when one thinks of Manhattan or Chicago the Empire State Building or Willis Tower come to mind almost making these structures the new mascots of our modern cities.

Cities all over the world now can be recognized by their soaring skylines of beautiful glass and steel towers. With the advent of this phenomena has come the new genre of Art called "Cityscapes". This genre of art has become if not the most popular form of modern art one of the most pervasive. Every city has galleries filled with Artist's work of the local city skylines. Of particular merit are the truly great city skylines: Hong Kong, Manhattan, and Chicago. Analogous to Skylines are the many views and cityscapes of the city, especially of the downtown.

Influenced by these great structures artist have made wonderful skyline paintings of their cities from every conceivable angle and medium. The most popular type of cityscape is the watercolor. Watercolors lend themselves to a loose and fresh feeling to the viewer without sacrificing the details of the buildings. Often the watercolors are coupled with Pen & Ink lines and washes to give detail to a particular scene.

Offices in the downtown districts of major cities have taken up many works of art from their local city to adorn their walls and galleries.

As an artist I have always taken great joy in architecture and have over the course of my career done many architectural renderings and cityscape paintings. From the perspective I get much appreciation that my colleagues have done.

Stephen F. Condren - Artist