Written by Kansas City is ranked as one of the ten best cities with examples of Art Deco architecture. This doodlewash is of the top of the Kansas City Power & Light building, which is a treasured landmark and an Art Deco structure that held the title of the tallest habitable building in Missouri for 45 years. No idea what the tallest uninhabitable building was like, but it sounds scary.
Art Deco is an influential visual arts design style that first appeared in France after World War I and began flourishing internationally in the 1920s, 30s and 40s before its popularity waned after World War II. According to Wikipedia, it is an eclectic style that combines traditional craft motifs with Machine Age imagery and materials. The style is often characterized by rich colors, bold geometric shapes and lavish ornamentation. In other words… a lot of lines in a sketch!
I tried this one with just Raw Umber, Cobalt Blue, and Cobalt Turquoise for a very limited palette. There were so many lines and various levels that I sort of got lost trying to sketch all, but it generally looks like the subject, so I’m pretty happy with the result.
Sketching Kansas City has been a fun exercise as I’m learning more and more about the place I call home as I go! I used to work in this building for 5 years, and never really knew about its heritage and design. I had an office on the 14th floor. At night different colors of light project onto this top portion, giving it a reddish glow you can see easily from a distance. (I won’t share the name we gave it as kids!) I’m happy to be a native of KC and I hope you are enjoying this little tour!
That looks complicated!
I was more complicated than I thought once I started sketching it! Can’t imagine what this would cost to build today!! 😉
:O No kidding!
Sooo gorgeous!
Thank you Courtney!! 😃😃
Wow, Charlie! This is impressive! Where did you start and what was your approach? I would totally be intimidated by all the details!
Thanks!! ❤️😃For this one I started with a photo as you can’t quite see all the detail from the ground. Then I just tried to fast sketch it getting the basic contours (but wow…soooo many contours! Lol) Then I went back to add some darks and shading with ink. Last step was watercolor and I just sort of splashed some on this one. There were so many lines already that I didn’t do as much with color as I normally would. But don’t be I intimidated!! I just started choosing complex subjects on purpose! Once you do a few, it gets much less intimidating! 😉 Just go for it, Kari! You’ll be surprised at what you can do! 😃😃
I’m taking Liz Steel’s Edges class now and that combined with Marc’s class are helping me see things better. I just need to practice more. 😊
Yeah…in the end it’s just tons of practice! Hehe… but it’s really just about doing it daily and having fun! 😉
I am SO enjoying this tour of KC with you! Thanks!
Awww thanks Teresa!! ❤️😃 I’m so happy to have you along for the ride!!
I love the crowns above the windows. You really capture the details. (K.)
Thanks Kerfe!! Glad you like it…yeah…I can’t seem to abstract things very well. I always end up with more detail than I intended! 😊😊
Good one Charlie, i can see the light and shade parts on building. Thanks for sharing the design history!
Thanks so much Snehal! Glad you like it! Still trying to practice this fast sketching thing! Hehe
I think you did FABULOUS Charlie!! I’m sooo enjoying your tour of KC! Keep up the great art and writing my friend! 😊🎨💚
Thank you Jill!! I’m glad you like the tour and super happy you are traveling with me friend!! 😃💜
Amazing detail Charlie. So inspiring to watch your work and follow your progress such a wonderful tour of your hometown. Am so enjoying.
Awww that’s so sweet Jodi!! I’m so happy you joined me for this tour! (And are enjoying it! Hehe! Thanks friend!)
Another “woop woop” for Charlie! 😀 Love your enthusiasm and talent, my friend!
Thanks friend! Lol…yay!! I got a Laura “woop woop”!! 💜💜 I can almost hear you doing it even though I haven’t a clue what you sound like 😊hehe
LOL
What a grand looking building. Loving this tour and your beautiful art. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for joining me Haunani! Glad you’re coming along for the ride friend!
Another very cool image Charlie. Those shadows! And the detail you add behind the pen strokes. It all really pulls me in. Nicely done.
Thanks friend! I really appreciate that!
I am always looking for art deco stuff. Quite a few buildings up here in St. Paul have deco touches and they are sort of delicious to behold–just fun to look at.
I agree! They’re fun to sketch too, but a little complex sometimes.