Brooklyn Bridge - Book Illustration

Book illustration of the iconic Brooklyn Bridge

A project created in collaboration with business psychology presentation coach,

Troy Andrews 2023 published book "Bridges and Barriers"

It was fascinating, looking up the history and people behind this iconic New York feature.

I've grown up seeing the reassuring permanence of the Brooklyn Bridge among an ever changing city. A bridge to cross land, but also to cross time.

And of course, the queen energy of Emily Roebling must have an honorable mention.

After her father-in-law, John Roebling died from a construction accident, her husband Washington Roebling took on the project as chief engineer. The title which then fell to her after he fell dangerously ill to decompression sickness (the bends, such as scuba divers can get). She was instrumental to the continuation and completion of the project.

Later she went on to study law and advocate for women worldwide. Incredible.

Emily and her bridge

Google stock images

Drawn in Procreate with brushes Technical Pen, Soft Round brush, 6B Pencil

The client commissioned me for a architectural blueprint style digital illustration to be used in their book. They wished to be able to see the bridge straight on at 90 degrees to emphasize the unique "air spun" wire cable pattern. To keep the cables path precise, I took a cross section of the tower, drawing two layers of cables instead of four. I texturized the stone face and colorized in the old world blueprint Prussian Blue.