These paintings were drawn in pastel from the studio the Blackwood's rented for eight years in Uskudar. The main sitting room and balcony commanded a view of the Bosphorus from the Topkapi Palace to the Japanese suspension Bridge. The famous Istanbul skyline dominated that view, but below, the Iskele gave birth to many paintings strikingly disimilar in effect but containing the same subjects of Ferry boats at all times of the day and night.