<div class="text-justify">
Hello everyone! And yes! I love being active here over my other social media accounts because my feed on those accounts are all filled with too much negativity. Anyhow, before I start playing Call of Duty on my mobile phone, I will share to you two of the artworks I made yesterday and two days ago.
</div><br>

https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/gailbelga/OUZC26bR-FB_IMG_1597769640927.jpg
<div class="text-justify">
So, I used one of the photos of my friend as my reference. Do not worry, I asked permission to JJ first before using his photo as my reference. Well, I even asked him if I could use his photos in Japan and he instantly agreed to it. In days to come, you will see some of my works using his photos as my reference.<br><br>

I specifically used his photos as my references because for one, I had always been in love with the culture of Japan. There is really something very unique about their temples. I also love how they maintain their environment in good shape. To add, I find it relaxing to paint wonderful sceneries filled with the natural earth colors and the different colors of the sky itself.<br>
<br>

<b>Colored Pencils </b>
As you observe, I opt to use freehand drawing over anything else. So for my first attempt, I used my Prismacolor Color Pencils. I specifically use the color pencils for sketching. As much as possible, I train myself not use to much lead pencils. <br>
I told myself I need to finish it within 20 minutes because I still need to tend the needs of my cousin Athena who is doing an online class at the time I was making this artwork. 
</div>

![IMG20200819144005.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/gailbelga/oTatao5D-IMG20200819144005.jpg)
<div class="text-justify">
As you can see, I used a blue color pencil to sketch. I tried to apply the things I learned from my friends who are also artists like me. By drawing using freehand, I could exercise my hands in trying to make a decent straight line. I also made sure that I would apply the principle of perspective but I think I failed a little or maybe much on that aspect. 
</div>

![IMG20200819161636.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/gailbelga/Y25uSlcC-IMG20200819161636.jpg)
<div class="text-justify">
And then I started filling the empty spaces first by coloring the sky with different hues of blue. I know that by far, I still need to learn a lot from artists who are adhering the realism approach. But since, I really am a big fan of impressionism, I really did not bother much on the details. I colored my work base on what I perceive it and not on what it really is. <br><br>
I used the circling technique for the clouds. I then tried to render  the trees with different hues of green. I made sure to use the lightest color first before using the darkest shade. I even applied that technique on to the rest of my artwork.
</div>
<br>
<b> Painting Using Gouache </b><br>
<div class="text-justify">
I know it is clear to you that I really avoid to be a master copier. So in using gouache, I trusted my hand and the gouache paint that I would be able to paint something decent using my friend's photo as my reference.<br><br>
</div>

https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/gailbelga/swdMSPBk-IMG20200820211552.jpg

<div class="text-justify">
So to start, I painted the sky with blue mixed with a little amount of white gouache. I made sure that I would give space for the trees that I would be painting later on. After that, I painted the structure of the house with yellow ochre paint as my guide. 
</div>

IMG20200821120040.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/gailbelga/9kOAdwTD-IMG20200821120040.jpg

<div class="text-justify">
Honestly, my hands got so tired because I was helping my cousin on making her layout for her computer class. They are having an online class by the way. Back to what I was saying, I resumed working on this one when I woke up and that is like few hours ago while I was joining a webinar on Sustainable Development Goals. <br><br>
If you have observed, I used a round and flat brush for this one. I avoided using a line brush so that I would not dwell much on the entricacy of the details.<br><br>

From the reference photo, I roof is a bit darker but I really want to give a more vibrant feel on my work so I choose a dark blue mixed with a little amount of acid blue. I just then dabbed my brush on the roof instead of just making a flat layer.<br><br>

Forthe trees and small plants on the lower left corner of the paper, I used a variety of green. Near the sky, I used a darker shade of green by mixing the available green on my palette with Prussian Blue. I also added layers of browns over the yellow ochre surface. Like I said, I do not want to push for a realism aproach. <br><br>

I guess this type of artwork is achievable and I think kids would love to work on something like this. It may look a little bit of entricate for them, but if you are going to support them and guide them, then they can surely make something better than what I did. 
</div>




<br>
Lots of love,
Johanna Gail
<br>

![blog footer.png](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/gailbelga/HCginaLo-blog20footer.png)