This is what I used for the reference photo. It is quite good already - and I wish I could credit the photographer, but I honestly can't remember where I found it.

The sepia tones mean I will have to invent my own color (as I pretty much do anyway)

May 21, 2008: For some reason, I want to use purple and orange with this one and keep it on the warmer side. I think it is because i got a new tube of quidnacridone gold. But it may also be because when I see this area in my head, it is usually night time (not that I hang out there at night or anything).

May 24, 2008: Some more detail and swirly messy strokes in the sky. I used ultramarine because that is a wonderful complement to orange tones. I'm not completely happy with the sky at this point, but I figure I'll work through it eventually.

May 25, 2008: The buildings are taking shape. I darkened the right-hand end one (a quick look on Google showed that it is in fact red brick). I am not obsessing over the detail on these buildings; I am keeping it a little softer and saggier.

I soften the night sky clouds. I want to give it a sense of a glowing downtown behind.

May 26, 2008: The sky was lacking something: what? Stars. Big Van Gogh starry-night stars. Yes, that works. I added in all sorts of fat light-colored brush strokes to the pavement. Then I added in the green city fixtures: they do stand out well against the orange and look rather vinelike. Someone commented that they look like curious, living plants; the dark side is that viney things tend to strangle.

Some fuschia and pale yellow highlights, and done!