Ellis Illustrations

Parliament House, Reykjavik

This is another illustration about the parliament house in Reykjavik, Iceland. This is situated in Austurvöllur square. It’s garden is the oldest public garden in Iceland. The building itself has built between 1880 and 1881.

An important person who has beeen in involved in this work after it was built was Tryggvi Gunnarsson a bank and parliament director.

Althingi, a series of legislative meetings, was founded by the Vikings in 930 AD at Thingvellir. These meeting sessions included community leaders, the Godar, who would pass or approve legislations. This was a great social event in Iceland, and crownds would gather.

Today, there are 63 members who are voted by the public and they are no more called Godar, but the People of the Parliament instead. These members are still passing legislations and the role of Althingi has changed in different ways and also it’s place, that is now held in Reykjavik.

To mark the millennium of settlement in Iceland in 1874 a parliament building was needed. This was designed by a danish designer Ferdinand Meldahl.

It’s outer part is dressed in hewn Icelandic stone while the inner parts are plastered. On some of the four windows that are not included here due to stylistic simplicity of this illustration, are depicted a giant, a great bird, a bull and a dragon.

Two more additional annexes have been added relatively more recently, one in 1908 and another on in 2002.

This illustration is of course not realistic and the building is remade in a playful style, with beautiful colours, just focusing on the main characteristics of this building, instead of making it a realistic representation. It looks like this would be another great destination of course visiting the interesting town of Reykjavik and this type of buildings. This is an interesting site apart from the most recognisable ones that are also very important landmarks of Iceland.

Copenhagen City Hall

This is another illustration about Copenhagen city hall in Denmark otherwise in Danish, København Rådhus. This is a beautiful visitor site and it was built by Martin Nyrop the ‘Gaudy’ of Scandinavia, between 1892 and 1905.

This has a romantic style influence from design styles in Italy. This particular style is called National Romantic Style and it has been used throughout the decorative elements and style of this building. It has been in specific influenced by Siena City Hall. This building has been opened in September 1905 and it is used for a variety of occasions, including town hall jurisdiction and mayor services and other ways, like meetings and social occasions, mostly weddings. This is one of the most visible buildings in Copenhagen’s skyline, where a visiting tour for visitors is essential, while it very convenient with public transport.

It’s tower is 105.6 metres one of the highest building structures in the city of Copenhagen. This tower includes a 300 step up towards the view of Tivoli Gardens and over a spectacular view of the Danish Capital. It is also very beautiful on the inside apart from the tower part.

I have recreated this while using different colours from the original building, in order to make it more interesting. It is recognisable enough as a visitor’s attraction for anyone who might be interested making a trip to Denmark and it was great to explore this design style.

Warsaw

This is an illustration about the palace of culture and science in Warsaw Poland. This was built in 1955 and there you can find cinemas, theatres, libraries, sports centres, university brunches and authorities of Polish Academy of Sciences.

This is 237 metres high rise building, second tallest building in Poland and one of the biggest structures in the European continent, including it being the 6th tallest buildings in the EU.

It’s construction with Art Deco influences, started in 1952 until 1955. This was a gift to Poland from former Soviet Union. Thousands of workers were needed to construct this building, while also some accidents have occurred, it was mostly built by Russian workers.

This building was built under circumstances that have violated human rights, under the then regime of Josef Stalin, from Former Soviet Union and therefore there is a lot of controversy about it. For that reason only, many have supported its demolition.

It is definitely a site to visit and interesting structure, and despite this controversial history, it is an interesting architectural site and landmark that is visible throughout Warsaw in Poland. It is after all the one of the most recognisable buildings there.

Once you go to the observatory deck you can view a panorama of 114 metres high. There are a lot of socialist sculptures to observe that are not illustrated in this due to simplifying the illustration incorporated into this beautiful Art Deco building style.

If you are visiting during the summer, this is bustling with cultural activities, like concerts and theatre performances. During the winter, it is worth checking out the available skating opportunities and also just to view the beautiful lit building at night.

Another illustration about a variety of buildings in Europe!

Inverness Castle

Another illustration this time Inverness Castle in Scotland! A little more about this castle.

Inverness castle is situated in Inverness Scotland overlooking the highest point of River Ness.

This was made by several architects during the 19th century. Inverness is a bit further north in Scotland and this is known for the many beautiful castles to visit.

This is a red sandstone made castle but originally built by wood. In the place where this castle is situated many other castles have been built before since 1057. The first castle was built by Malcolm Máel Coluim III of Scotland.

It is interesting to say that these castles have been going through many different sieges. This is a newer building of course. This until recently has been used as a Sheriffs court but the plan is to transform it to a new attraction of galleries museums and shops.

It is unfortunately not fully open to the public at this time possibly due to this change. But it still makes a beautiful landmark to visit!

It is great to try another illustration a castle that makes an interesting building rather simple but beautiful. This castle also might have been featured at Shakespeare’s play Macbeth.

Another illustration about exploring different places in Europe – at least Europe friendly Scotland and a great idea to visit.

Mussenden Temple

This is another travel and lifestyle illustration this time exploring parts of Northern Ireland.

Such a beautiful country although oops I have only been to Ireland! This is called Mussenden Temple, a small building in Castlerock County Londonderry.

Overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and other parts of Northern Ireland, this small temple was built in 1785 and was once filled with books.

The once known ‘Earl Bishop’ has built this temple stating that he would like to build a Grecian temple that would give employment to the poor and this would be built at the edge of a cliff. This was also in honour to the Bishops cousin Frideswide Mussenden aka the name.

Due to geological erosion, this temple has moved further off to the cliff. It is placed on a very rigid 120 ft tall cliff top. Unfortunately, it is still closed to the public, but it is indeed one of the most popular places to photograph there.

The style of the building was inspired by the Temple of Vesta in Tivoli in Italy. An intervention of National Trust a known local organisation operating mostly in the British Isles for saving buildings and wildlife, has carried out works in order to save this building from disappearing into the sea, because of this steep cliff’s severe erosion.

Another illustration with spectacular views and windy Irish cliffs. I hope this transports you there if you are not travelling!

I have used different colours to make this illustration more lively and slightly imaginative but close enough to be recognisable and I hope you like it!

Monaco/San Marino

This is another illustration this time exploring other parts of Europe such as San Marino/Monaco.

This illustration depicts a version of the building of Monaco Courthouse. An interesting structure made by porous stones, sea tuff and small pebbles. I must admit such beautiful decorative elements as well.

For some reason I could not find too much information about this but if I am not mistaken this was built in 1924 and was inaugurated in 1930. Although maybe some decorative parts might be dating from the 1500’s.

I have no interest in courts in general, but this building is a great tourist visiting site although I think it is still closed to the public. You can see it only from outside if you plan a trip there.

Have I been to San Marino/Monaco? The answer is yes! I remember it as a great small country to visit with beautiful buildings and great friendly environment. This was many years ago so it is great to do another illustration about great buildings that could be revisited sometime! These parts of Europe are beautiful and definitely worth a visit.

A great challenge to do this complex illustration! It could be more simplified or even more complex but I think I found the right balance that would suit my style in this.

Serrant

This is an illustration about the castle of Serrant.

Another one to add here and great to illustrate this complex illustration! A bit more about Serrant, the château of Serrant situated in the Loire valley, used to be a medieval fortress before this building was built, at the beginning of the 16th century. It has a great eventful history and a lot to offer to the visitors.

It now has a variety of furnitures, including valuable books for example, L’ encyclopédie de Diderot. There are about 20.000 books in this library. In 1749 this castle was sold to the Walshes, an exiled Irish Jacobite family that also have kept the château safe during the French Revolution, as they call them the Count’s of Serrant. It is privately held by the same people who owned it since about the 18th century, La Trémoïlle family. And as Napoleon once may have said ‘Finally a château in France!’

And I must admit a great project to illustrate! I found it a great adventure to combine the colours and the shapes in order to create this complex illustration. I love the use of gradients it ads a dreamy feel about it and it also points out some of the detail. Another great European castle to visit!

Łódź

This is another illustration about great travel destinations! If you are interested in buildings and industrial periods in Europe this could be a great site to visit.

This is in Lodz in Poland. One section these buildings is the one illustrated of the known Karol Wilhelm Scheibler a very known industrial figure in this town who had his own ‘little’ industrial empire, with a variety of buildings of this style. One of the first people in industrial settings who cared about working and living conditions. These interesting historic buildings are being used in a different way these days, including restaurants, apartments and the town’s Cinematography Museum.

Great to try another one for this week! I have added a retro style colour palette and kept the illustration of the building relatively simple with some level of detail just to make it recognisable enough.

Dubrovnik

This is another illustration! I have made this using a couple of recognisable and stylish buildings from this site to create a composition that reflects this beautiful town in Croatia.

This town in located in the Adriatic Sea and otherwise named Ragusa. In 1979 Dubrovik became an UNESCO site because of its beautiful architecture being one of the reasons.

It has changed regulators from Byzantine Empire to the Republic of Venice. It was also a free state between 14th and 19th century, where maritime trade flourished, while becoming the strongest literature site in Croatia.

It has been destroyed by a huge earthquake in 1667 and has later been occupied by the French Empire, became part of the Austrian Empire during the 19th and early 20th century.

It was incorporated later into the Kingdom of Yugoslavia and has also been kind of independent since World War Two, although it has later become SR Croatia, part of SFR Yugoslavia. At some point during the nineties it has again become independent after the 1991-1992 siege and has gradually been restored after that recent war during the break up of Yugoslavia.

Great to share this brief information about Dubrovnik, which has become on of the top tourist destinations in the Mediterranean. Beautiful site indeed with great style.

This illustration is not a realistic one and the sites are not placed in the order they are situated.

An idea maybe for another trip, in order to explore this beautiful site, which looks like it has plenty to offer!

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Normandy and it’s cheese!

Normandy is beautiful but also famous for its cheese.

This illustration is about Normandy and it’s famous cheeses. In this illustration The Camembert Museum is portrayed with an old style antique French cheese presse combined with French themed colour scheme and of course this type of cheese.

It is great to know more about this type of cheese, this has taken its name by the beautiful small village of Camembert. This cheese was firstly developed by a woman named Marie Harel during the French Revolution in 1791. The museum Madison du Camembert is open for guided tours. This cheese has also become a symbols of resistance for the French during the First World War supporting the psychology at the fighting fronts. It then was awarded in 1983 as protected denomination of origin and it has become an international top gourmet brand.