This piece actually started off as a tonal value study, which I painted to experiment with light direction and shadow casting. I ended up finishing this painting by adding in the clouds and details. In this painting the light is coming from right to left, in an identical piece I painted the light coming from left to right. Even though they are similar paintings, the feeling and atmosphere between the two is completely different. I prefer this piece because the shadow is casted at the center of the cluster of buildings, which I believe gives the painting a more solemn and under cast look.