navira-mga2023mi6011

[navira-mga2023mi6011]

Final Painting on Canvas

I tried to show more detail by trying to shade the houses. Adding more houses. Showing transparency in the leaves. I tried my best. Considering I've never painted in my life before this module, I'm pretty satisfied with this outcome. Tried the vibrant style of David Hockney's work as well.

[navira-mga2023mi6011]

Final tests

I chose to go with my grandfather's backyard as my final one. It is what spoke to me more, and it counted as a landscape as well as an urban landscape. I started off roughly sketching it. Again, I struggled with showing detail in the vegetation and lighting, showing highlights from the sun.

[navira-mga2023mi6011]

Final Painting

As my final painting, i initially wanted to go with "the final stretch" option. But with the negative experience I had in my experiments and sketching, I continued anyway until it came to the point where I had to sketch it out on my canvas pad. It was then that I decided not to proceed. Like I said before, I struggled with scale and perspective, and showing detail. So I thought better not to waste my paint trying knowing I had only a little bit of paint left.

[navira-mga2023mi6011]

More tests and practice

I decided to start roughly sketching and applying what I learned. Here, I learned that I struggled a lot with angles and perspective. And showing detail in my paintings even when it's digital.

[navira-mga2023mi6011]

Architecture serves as both the backdrop and the focal point in cityscape painting, offering a rich source of inspiration for contemporary artists. The article "Cityscape as an Inspiration for Contemporary Painting" explores how modern painters draw upon architectural elements to reflect urban experiences.​

Insights Gained:

Symbolism of Structures: Buildings are more than functional entities; they embody cultural, historical, and social narratives.​ Understanding: Depicting iconic structures or vernacular architecture can convey stories about a city's evolution, heritage, and identity.​

Interplay of Space and Form: The arrangement of buildings, streets, and open spaces defines the urban environment.​ Understanding: Exploring perspectives, such as aerial views or street-level angles, allows artists to highlight the geometry and rhythm inherent in city layouts.​

Light and Shadow Dynamics: Urban architecture interacts uniquely with natural and artificial light.​ Understanding: Observing how light filters through structures, casts shadows, and reflects off surfaces can add depth and mood to cityscape paintings.​

Fusion of Styles: Contemporary cityscapes often juxtapose historical buildings with modern designs.​ Understanding: This contrast offers a visual dialogue between eras, allowing artists to comment on urban development and architectural trends.

[navira-mga2023mi6011]

Urban landscapes are more than static representations of buildings and streets; they encapsulate the rhythm, mood, and essence of city life. The article "How to Paint Expressive Urban Landscapes" delves into techniques that infuse paintings with emotion and dynamism.​

Key Techniques:

Dynamic Composition: Urban scenes often contain converging lines, varied shapes, and overlapping elements.​ Approach: Use leading lines, such as roads or building edges, to draw the viewer's eye into the painting. Incorporate diagonal lines to convey movement and energy.​

Color Choices: Cities are vibrant tapestries of color, from neon signs to muted facades.​ Approach: Experiment with bold and unexpected color combinations to evoke specific moods or times of day. For instance, warm hues can suggest sunrise or sunset, while cooler tones might depict overcast conditions.​

Brushwork and Texture: The texture of a painting can convey the roughness of brick, the sleekness of glass, or the fluidity of rain-soaked streets.​ Approach: Vary brush techniques—use dry brush for texture, wet-on-wet for soft transitions, and palette knives for impasto effects. This variety adds depth and interest.​

Incorporating Figures: People animate urban scenes, providing scale and narrative.​ Approach: Even simplified or silhouetted figures can suggest activity and life. Positioning figures strategically can also guide the viewer's focus and add storytelling elements.

[navira-mga2023mi6011]

Plein air painting—creating art outdoors—offers unique rewards and challenges, especially within bustling urban environments. The article "Overcoming the Difficulties of Painting en Plein Air" provides valuable insights from experienced artists on navigating these challenges.​

Key Challenges and Strategies:

Visual Overload: Urban settings are dense with details—architectural elements, signage, vehicles, and people. This complexity can be overwhelming.​ Strategy: Simplify the scene by focusing on a specific subject or area. Begin with broad shapes and values before adding finer details. This approach helps in managing the complexity and capturing the essence of the scene without becoming bogged down.​

Changing Light and Weather Conditions: Cities can present rapidly shifting lighting due to tall buildings casting shadows and reflective surfaces altering illumination.​ Strategy: Establish the primary light source and shadows early in the painting process. This foundational work allows for consistency, even as conditions change. Additionally, carrying portable equipment and being prepared for sudden weather changes ensures continuity in work.​

Public Interaction and Distractions: Urban areas are teeming with activity, and onlookers may approach artists with questions or comments.​ Strategy: While engagement can be enriching, setting boundaries is essential. Wearing headphones (even without music) can signal a desire for focus. Alternatively, embracing brief interactions can provide fresh perspectives and potential connections.​

Logistical Constraints: Finding suitable spots to set up easels, ensuring personal safety, and managing equipment in crowded spaces are practical concerns.​ Strategy: Scout locations beforehand to identify optimal spots. Use compact, lightweight equipment for mobility. Always be aware of your surroundings and prioritize safety, perhaps by painting with a companion or group.​

[navira-mga2023mi6011]

The Impressionist movement brought a transformative approach to urban landscape painting, emphasizing the fleeting effects of light and atmosphere over detailed realism. Artists like Claude Monet and Camille Pissarro captured the vibrancy of city life through loose brushwork and a focus on transient moments.​

To emulate Impressionist techniques in urban scenes, consider the following insights:​

Focus on Light and Color: Observe how light interacts with urban structures at different times of the day. Use a palette that reflects these variations to convey mood and time.​

Simplify Forms: Rather than detailing every architectural element, suggest forms through color and brushwork, allowing viewers to fill in the gaps.​

Capture Movement: Incorporate elements that indicate motion, such as blurred figures or vehicles, to evoke the dynamism of city life.​

Plein Air Painting: Painting on location helps in accurately capturing the atmosphere and nuances of the urban environment.

[navira-mga2023mi6011]

https://theartwolf.com/art-essays/cityscapes/

Cityscape painting isn’t just about building, it’s a visual diary of how we live in and perceive urban spaces. After reading this article, I’ve come to understand that the depiction of cities in art has evolved dramatically, from mere backgrounds to subjects with deep cultural and symbolic significance.

The article starts with early representations of cities in the Middle Ages, where urban settings were mostly symbolic — small, idealized towns used in religious and historical paintings. It wasn’t until the 17th-century Dutch Golden Age that we see the city itself become the protagonist. Artists like Jan van der Heyden and Gerrit Berckheyde meticulously painted detailed views of Amsterdam and Haarlem, driven by pride in their prosperous cities. These works were more than pretty pictures, they reflected civic identity and urban order.

As we move into the 18th and 19th centuries, the city became a place of spectacle. Canaletto is a standout, his precise views of Venice were almost architectural blueprints, yet they captured the liveliness of public spaces. Then comes Impressionism, which really shook things up. Artists like Monet and Pissarro weren’t interested in accuracy, they wanted to capture fleeting moments: fog on a bridge, lights on wet pavement. This marked a shift toward emotion and perception over realism.

What really stuck with me was how the 20th century transformed cityscapes into personal, often abstract expressions. With industrialization and modern alienation, artists like Edward Hopper painted empty streets and lonely diners, not about the city itself, but how it feels to exist in one.

[navira-mga2023mi6011]

Urban landscape painting, also termed cityscape, is a significant art genre that has depicted the character and spirit of cities for centuries. It originated in the 17th century with Dutch painters such as Jan van Goyen, who excelled in capturing urban life with realism. Over time, artists from various backgrounds, including Canaletto’s majestic renderings of Venice, Edward Hopper’s poignant portrayals of loneliness in urban settings, and Paul Kenton’s vibrant contemporary interpretations, have enriched this genre with their unique perspectives.

While “urban landscapes” and “cityscapes” often get used interchangeably, subtle distinctions exist: urban landscapes include natural and built environments, while cityscapes center more on urban structures and streets. Throughout modern and contemporary art, this genre has thrived, as demonstrated in the works of Impressionists like Camille Pissarro and Claude Monet, as well as photorealists like Richard Estes and abstract expressionists like Willem de Kooning. Urban landscape painting not only reflects societal changes but also provides a lens through which the essence of cities and their unique atmospheres are captured, continuing to evolve with the urban experience.

[navira-mga2023mi6011]

This all again brings me back to what is an urban landscape?

To me it's not clear, from artist to artist what makes up an urban landscape differs a lot, whether it is style, composition, or subject. So I'm diving again to understand this better as this is my first rodeo in painting and art history.

[navira-mga2023mi6011]

Cont. Kim Cogan's Nostalgic Urban Memories

Artist’s Background: Kim Cogan’s journey from Pusan, Korea, to becoming an influential figure in American cityscapes is indicative of the global nature of contemporary art. His cross-cultural experience imbues his work with diverse perspectives, enhancing the depth of his urban representations. By reflecting on his identity through his art, Cogan offers viewers not just scenes but insights into his cultural narrative.

Technical Composition: Cogan’s use of multiple photographs in constructing his scenes allows for a unique compositional strategy. This method provides a broader perspective on urban spaces, enabling a more complex dialogue between the elements within each painting. The blending of various viewpoints adds a layered richness, transforming simple cityscapes into multifaceted stories where each component plays a significant role.

Perspective and Engagement: The artist’s dramatic angles create a sense of movement and invitation into the canvas. Viewers are compelled to explore the painted space, emphasizing how perspective not only shapes aesthetic appreciation but also enhances the emotional resonance of the paintings. The ability to evoke such engagement speaks to Cogan’s strengths as a visual storyteller.

Color and Mood: His deliberate choice of a refined tonal palette, which is occasionally interrupted by instances of higher chroma, draws a parallel to the narrative style of Edward Hopper. This technique not only serves to establish focal points but also imbues the works with an emotional depth characteristic of urban loneliness and atmospheric tension—a sentiment that resonates profoundly in contemporary city life.

Balance of Control and Spontaneity: While Cogan’s technical skill is highly laudable, the critique regarding potential over-calculation serves as a crucial insight into the nature of realism in art today. It raises important questions about the authenticity of expression at a time when artists might feel pressured to evoke spontaneity through their work. This balancing act between meticulousness and expressiveness becomes a key theme as the art world grapples with evolving definitions of realism.

Connection to Modern Influences: Cogan’s comparison to artists such as Antonio Lopez Garcia and Alex Kanevsky reflects an ongoing discourse within the realist genre. The recognition of lineage and influences not only situates Cogan within a broader artistic community but also highlights the ongoing evolution in the approach to realism. This connection to modern influences allows for a dialogue where Cogan can both challenge and uphold stylistic traditions.

[navira-mga2023mi6011]

Kim Cogan's Nostalgic Urban Memories

In an insightful review of Kim Cogan’s works at Sue Greenwood Fine Art, Larry highlights the impressive contributions of this talented young painter to the realist cityscape genre. Born in 1977 in Pusan, Korea, Cogan has established a prominent presence in the art community, particularly noted for his immersive cityscapes inspired by his surroundings, especially views of Chinatown in San Francisco. His approach to painting combines elements of studio work with perceptual influences, resulting in compositions that draw viewers into his unique visual narrative.

Critically, Cogan’s paintings are characterized by a bold yet controlled application of color and form. Utilizing a refined tonal palette, his works often juxtapose muted tones against vibrant focal points, reminiscent of Edward Hopper’s emotionally charged scenes. The review praises Cogan’s skillful use of perspective and form, pointing to how he unites various elements within his paintings through an intelligent interplay of light, color, and compositional structure.

However, Larry also notes that while Cogan’s technical mastery is significant, there are moments when the work’s authenticity may be compromised by overly calculated brushstrokes. Comparisons to other artists like Antonio Lopez Garcia and Alex Kanevsky illuminate this tension between control and the spontaneity often sought in contemporary realism. Ultimately, despite these critiques, Cogan’s work genuinely reflects his identity and connection to the urban landscapes he portrays, signifying his role as a dynamic new voice in modern art.

[navira-mga2023mi6011]

Cont. Martha Diamond's Expressionist Cityscapes

Artistic Interpretation of Space: Diamond’s approach to painting reflects how artists can interpret urban spaces in unconventional ways. Instead of merely depicting buildings or landscapes, she captures the emotional heartbeat of the city. This elevates her work beyond aesthetics to a commentary on urban life and identity, offering viewers a deeper understanding of New York.

Impact of Color & Brushwork: The successful combination of color and brushwork in Diamond’s paintings not only demonstrates technical skill but also establishes a particular emotional resonance. The vibrant colors evoke feelings of joy and movement, symbolizing the city’s ceaseless energy, while the brushwork conveys a sense of urgency that mirrors the fast-paced life of urban dwellers.

Exploration of Identity: Diamond’s art serves as a canvas for exploring collective identity. By merging the personal with the public, she reflects how individual stories contribute to the larger narrative of a city that thrives on diversity. This exploration emphasizes the interplay between personal experiences and collective consciousness found in metropolitan areas.

Engagement through Art: The immersive qualities of her paintings create an environment for dialogue between the artwork and its audience. Viewers are invited to not only look but interact, gaining insights into both the artist’s perspective and their interpretations of the New York experience. This interaction is essential for fostering a community of appreciation and understanding for contemporary art.

Historical Context: Diamond’s work doesn’t exist in a vacuum; it is part of a broader historical and cultural narrative. Understanding the context of her paintings enriches appreciation for her art, rendering it a vital part of documenting and interpreting the ongoing evolution of New York City.

[navira-mga2023mi6011]

Martha Diamond's Expressionist Cityscapes

Martha Diamond, an influential artist, has effectively captured the essence of New York City through her vibrant and dynamic paintings. Her brushstrokes tell powerful stories about the city’s unique character and layered histories. This summary explores how Diamond uses her artistic skills to reflect the soul of New York, blending elements of culture, society, and community within her works. Her style, marked by “beefy and brilliant brushstrokes,” showcases a deep engagement with the urban environment, drawing viewers into an intricate exploration of both the physical and emotional landscapes of the city. The discussion emphasizes how her artworks serve not only as visual spectacles but also as representations of the diverse human experiences that define New York.

[navira-mga2023mi6011]

Urban Landscapes I: Estes's Print Series

In 2021, a significant acquisition was made for the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) Collection: a series of photorealist screenprints by acclaimed American artist Richard Estes, specifically the “Urban Landscapes I,” created in 1972. This series consists of eight prints showcasing urban shopfronts and modernist architecture, which exhibit Estes’s hallmark photorealist style that began earning him acclaim in the early 1970s. Born in Kewanee, Illinois, in 1932, Estes emerged at the forefront of the photorealism movement alongside prominent artists like Audrey Flack and Chuck Close.

His early passion for photography was nurtured through hands-on experiences, including using a Kodak Brownie camera and developing photographs in a makeshift darkroom. Estes’s formal art education at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago catalyzed his appreciation for Chicago’s unique architecture. His career took shape in New York City where, influenced by his experiences in advertising, he honed his image-making precision.

By the late 1960s, Estes gained widespread recognition following a successful solo exhibition, marking a pivotal moment in photorealism. In 1971, he began collaborating with Parasol Press to create screenprints, ultimately selecting Stuttgart’s Domberger print studio because of its exceptional craftsmanship. The “Urban Landscapes I” series showcases his unique capability to blend hyperreal imagery with elements of abstraction. Through a meticulous combination of gouache and acrylic, Estes creates layered images that play with transparency and reflection to challenge perceptions of reality and representation. This exhibition encapsulates the complexity of urban life while pushing the boundaries of realistic representation through evocative visual artistry.

[navira-mga2023mi6011]

Richard Estes and the Rise of Photorealism

The text primarily discusses a deep dive into the artistic journey and methodologies of Richard Estes, a prominent figure in the Photorealism movement. Growing up in Illinois and later moving to Chicago, Estes cultivated his artistic skills initially through commercial art, which he believes shaped his painting approach more than formal education. The artist’s intricate relationship with photography serves as a foundation for his urban-themed artwork, which reflects the dynamic essence of city life. His iconic piece, Telephone Booths (1967), exemplifies how reflections and urban elements are blended into vibrant compositions that create a rhythm akin to music. Throughout his career, Estes has emphasized that while photography informs his paintings, he transforms the process to create an emotional resonance that transcends mere replication. His first major solo exhibition in Britain marks a significant milestone in showcasing his remarkable ability to interpret and translate everyday scenes into art. At the age of 89, Estes continues to evolve, exploring new themes and reflecting the changing landscapes of modern urban life while remaining deeply connected to the realist tradition and pioneers of the past.