THE ART

OF

INVISIBLE CITIES
ESMERALDA

By Karolina Urlikyte

INTRODUCTION
For

our first project, we were asked to create city based

on Italo Calvinos fictional novel, called Invisible Cities.
The novel describes the environment and space of
imaginary cities, each city is unique and totally different
from each other. Moreover, Calvino separated cities into
categories, such as : Memory, Desire, Trading Cities and
so on.

While

I was exploring 19 Calvinos cities and making

thumbnails, one city caught my eye, Esmeralda. The city
of Trading. This city was interesting and more
appealing to me. So, I made decision to draw Esmeralda
as my final digital artwork.

This

city is describes as a city of water, cambered

bridges and sewers. Also, this city is dual in colours and
the environment. One side is full of light while other side
city is opposite to that, mysterious and chaotic.

INFLUENCES
Since

Esmeralda is a city of water and sewers,

I took some time finding the perfect images to
have the same feeling as Esmeralda has,
something mysterious and breath-taking at
the same time.

took images of Venice, since Calvino

described, this is city as water, Venice was
perfect for it. Buildings are sunk into the water
and the atmosphere was covered in colourful
lights..

Also,

I took reference from some games that I

have played, such as Assassin's Creed and
Bioshock: Infinity (both images are in the
middle). These art pieces really had what I
wanted, both charming and mystic.

With

the references and influences that I have

gathered, it didnt take much time for me to
make my own city. Showing and re-telling the
story of Esmeralda from 3 angles.

THUMBNAILS

THUMBNAILS WITH COLOUR KEYS

COMPLETE IMAGES

EXTERIOR ESTABLISHING

EXTERIOR ESTABLISHING CLOSE-UPS

EXTERIOR LOW-ANGLE

EXTERIOR LOW-ANGLE CLOSE-UPS

INTERIOR ESTABLISHING

INTERIOR ESTABLISHING CLOSE-UPS