Hells Gate Bridge

The great thing about sketching in Astoria Park is that you have a choice of bridges to sketch. Yesterday I posted my painting of the Triborough Bridge. Today you can see my version of Hells Gate Bridge. It was completed in 1916 and spans a stretch of the East River known as Hell Gate. Today the bridge is owned by and used primarily by Amtrak.

In the early 1990's the bridge was recoated for the first time in over 80 years. The color selected for the was know as Hell Gate Red and the coating system required 4 coats... one of the red color, 2 of epoxy and a clear topcoat to preserve the red color of the bridge. Unfortunately the bridge began to change color even before the repainting was finished. Each time they tried, the new paint faded again. You can see sections of the red paint as it looks today...with many areas not covered. I think that is part of its charm to tell you the truth. lol

 

Astoria Park - Part 2

One of the bridges visible from Astoria Park is Hells Gate Bridge. It is owned by Amtrak and the train tracks go across from Queens to the Bronx. I love the unusual color pink on parts of the bridge.

Here is my painting done in the same location back in 2013.

Hells Gate Bridge

While we were in Astoria Park we had an excellent view of Hells Gate Bridge, which is used mostly for Amtrak train travel only...no car traffic at all. Notice the red sections of the bridge. It had been repainted in the early 1990's for the first time in 80 years. The color selected was known as "Hell Gate Red." Unfortunately before the repainting was completed the paint began to fade an change color. It has been this way ever since.
I did two sketches of this bridge, one while I was in the shade and very cold.

And another with several of the other sketchers while we were sitting on the lawn in the sunshine (much more comfortable and pleasant).

I also did sketches of two of the sketchers at work. They are sisters and were visiting from other countries.

Patricia lives in Malaga, Spain and sketches with the the Malaga Urban Sketchers.

Maria lives in Paris and sketches with the Urban Sketchers there. It is really nice to have visitors from other places. This week we also had someone from Canada and Australia.

Astoria Park Views

The NYC Urban Sketchers met at Astoria Park today. We had a good turnout with 9 of us sketching for most of the day. The park is in Astoria which is in the borough of Queens. 

Our first sketching location was right at the entrance to the park, just along the RFK Bridge, formerly called the Triborough Bridge. 

Here are Susan, Ben, and Mark hard at work.

I sketched the bridge from below.

This is about 4 x 7.

I also sketched Mark working at his easel.

Next we moved closer into the park. Susan and Gene were busy talking 

with a wonderful view behind them..

I painted a view of the RFK Bridge.

We also had a good view of Hells Gate Bridge...and yes, it actually was

pink and fuchsia.

Here is a photo of the view with my sketch in front of it.

We took a break for lunch at a wonderful Greek restaurant in the neighborhood called 

Agnani located at 19-06 Ditmars Blvd. We talked, shared our sketches, and swapped some sketching information about materials. Then a few of us went back to the park to sketch.

I did this small one which is about 4 x 6.