Sometimes recreating a place, experience and moment in time requires the marriage of multiple images. Since I was unable to travel to Romania to paint University Square in person, we had to get creative.

This particular commission began with an inspiring Gheorghe Leahu water color of University Square in Bucharest serving as the point of departure.

For a car loving collector, I quickly added three new elements in Photoshop: A Dacia, Trabant and Alfa Romeo.

I was able to find this photograph online to help identify additional details, in my own hand.

Because the dimensions of the original painting were more of a landscape format, I  had to carefully map out the composition.

Starting out with a bright under-painting, featuring a deep orange in the sky.

Blocking in some bright orange and deep purple to identify the major elements.

Beginning to carve into the base, establishing the green dome and windows in the background building.

Mixing another deep yellow, creating buildings out of blocks.

Purple to the left and center foreground of the canvas… the latter of which features slices of light.

Blocking out the under-paintings of the buildings, as well as the building on the left hand side of the canvas which is enveloped in shade.

Creating the curvature in the biggest building.

A deep blue, placing the first car in the foreground.

Blasting a round of pink, further slicing up the foreground, and blocking in the Alfa. The sky is beginning to take a light blue shape.

All three cars placed, more work in the foreground, splashing elements of each new color throughout the canvas.

Working deeper shades, creating a sense of depth.

Painting window details in the yellow building with the dome, applying the same bright tone to the cars.

Yet another deeper tone, helping the cars to pop.

Refining the buildings on the right hand side of the picture, playing with complimentary tonal variation.

A deep green creating dimensionality on the dome, as well as the sculpture. Making some modifications to the mid-ground, creating a garden and a sidewalk.

The mood instantly shifts with the full blue-out of the sky.

Creating an accurate tone in the domed building, and carving into the curved edifice with a deep orange.

Working at night in different light, adding two tones to the blue car, and a third tone to the green objects.

Turning the curved building with a shadow tone, adding “ADAS” to the building.

And completed, the hybrid image taking on a life of it’s own. You can click the image above for a larger view. A special thank you to my new collectors.

This painting will join the recently completed Triboro Bridge painting.