Ponte Vecchio

Ponte Vecchio is one of the most recognizable sites in Florence. I stopped by and his in the shade to draw it. I'm happy with the outcome and perhaps tomorrow or the day after I'll bring my Watercolors and put some color in. Italy is pretty hot right now, which makes drawing and painting outside somewhat difficult. I'll see what I can manage to do while I'm here.


-R

Graz, Austria

I took a day trip to Graz from Vienna with my good friend Enzo. We walked around the city and eventually climbed up the Schloßberg. This is where we found the most recognizable attraction in Graz, the Uhrturm. This 13th century clock tower is a point of pride in Graz as it survived the Napoleonic wars due to efforts by the people of the city. I enjoyed the visit and managed a drawing of the tower.


-R

It's been too long

It's been way too long since my last post and I am to fix this issue. I'll be in Europe for the next few months and I want to use this blog as a sort of journal. I have been here over a week and I'm already behind on posts, but I'll try to catch up. For now I'm in Vienna, which happens to be one of my favorite cities. I'm going to organize myself and figure everything out. In the meantime here are a few random photos of beautiful Vienna.









Cheers,
-R

Long Island City Clock Tower

The Bank of Manhattan building also known as the Long Island City Clock Tower. This is one of the most iconic buildings in Queens. It was constructed in 1927 by architect Morrell Smith. It has neo-gothic elements in its design as well as a beautiful clock on the crown. This building is in danger of being destroyed because of its recent sale. The clock tower is being considered for the title of Historic Landmark by the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission. This would of course mean the building would survive for out future generations. Please sign the petition to save this building by clicking HERE ......Thank you.

San Miniato al Monte

The last of the series (for now). This is San Miniato al Monte, a Romanesque church in Florence. This church is perhaps my favorite building in Italy. Along with the Florentine baptistry, I believe this building is an influence on early Renaissance buildings like Santa Maria Novella and architects like Leon Battista Alberti.

Battistero di San Giovanni, Firenze

Continuing the with some drawings of Romanesque/Renaissance buildings, this is an 11th century building in Florence. It is perhaps one of the most important buildings in the city, it sits in front of the cathedral with the famous red cupola.

The baptistry of Saint John is a beautiful example of a Tuscan Romanesque architectural style that can be compared in its construction and aesthetic appeal to San Miniato al Monte (another Romanesque building in Florence) and eventually to even Renaissance buildings like Santa Maria Novella (facade).

Santa Maria della Carceri and Graduate School.

As you may or may not know, I am a graduate student. I am getting my masters in art history from CUNY Queens College. I only mention this because I know that I haven't been posting much, and I have to admit that schoolwork is the biggest reason for the lack of posts.

With that being said I haven't been drawing/painting as much as I would like to. 

My concentration is Renaissance architecture, but I'm particularly interested in later Romanesque/Early Renaissance churches in Florence. I am slowly preparing my thesis and looking at some buildings I will perhaps be writing about. I had a slow week as far as studying and assignments due so I drew a few of these buildings  and did some light watercolor washes on them. 

This is the first; Giuliano da Sangallo's Santa Maria della Carceri in Prato, Italy. Late 15th Century.