Tag: art

Happy New Year, etc.

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First of all, Happy New Year!!!

I can’t believe 2020 just happened. It just does not feel like we have really left last year though. It feels as if 2020 was not really done yet. It just wants to be a longer year than it already was. But I really don’t want to spend the first blog of the year ranting and complaining about 2020. I’m back here with some life updates, etc.

First off, I got myself a new iPad. It’s the 4th generation iPad Air. It’s really fancy-schmanzy and all coz I bought with it the Apple Pencil and the keyboard which also acts as a protective cover. So far, I’m really loving it. I bought it for the sole purpose of using Procreate coz I find that Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop nowadays are such an expensive scam. Since I’m already at ease with Apple products, why not just use Procreate, the much cheaper version?

Self-portrait created in Procreate and watercolor

Anyhoo, I’m thinking of creating some digital artworks with it, which I would like to mix with the old and familiar, watercolor. If you could see my new profile pic, I actually did the portrait sketch in Procreate but I did the soft-focus background with watercolor. I just love how the foreground seamlessly merged with the background. After unsuccessfully attempting to achieve this simple effect using Gimp, it is such a welcome respite to find how easy it is to do this with Procreate.

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End of Lockdown

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It’s been almost two months since home quarantine started. Here in France, everybody’s going to be let out on 11th May. Not me, though. I’m not planning on going out there yet. I think it’s going to be crazeee!!!

What have people been doing during this time?

(image taken by yours truly during my trip to New York in the summer of 2017)
I suddenly have a lot of free time now, which I usually spend on holidays.
But with the travel constraint brought forth by the current crisis,
what am I going to do with all this free time?

For some like myself, I continued to work from home. It was challenging at times because of the additional work of my daughter’s home schooling, and house cleaning, which was usually handled by a hired cleaner.

We’ve obviously been missing out on a lot this year. Half of the year is almost over, and nothing much happened… except maybe set some small (or big) personal improvement goals.

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Pintahan, Huntahan, Atbp.

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One of my art works that I managed to sell!

It’s been a year since my friends and I have created this small group that meets once a month to paint in watercolor. Our group meet just mostly consists of following some tutorials on youtube or a book, and then of course, as with all Filipino gatherings, sharing some food over merienda / gouter / snack.

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Updates and Random Stuff

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What have I been up to lately?..

Driving a lot… trying to remove my fear of the big roads and the crowded car parks.  Getting there. Meanwhile, I am a big fan of the roundabouts now… more practical and efficient than stop lights.

Trying very hard not to overshare on social media. I have removed facebook on my phone… wait, was it a good idea to share that here? If you have not yet put a tape on your computer’s webcam and microphone, do it NOW.

Planning future travels. So excited!

Learning to paint in Watercolor. It’s not as easy as it looks. But so far, I really love how the paint does not stink at all, or not get in the way of healthy breathing, unlike acrylics and pastel.

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Introduction to Painting Class

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ever since i can remember, i have always been on the lookout for painting classes. as you know, i have quite a bit of experience with drawing, as i love doing portraits in charcoal or pencil. but with painting, i always get a bit apprehensive. not only because i find it quite difficult to render color on paper, but also because i’m scared to go in a class where all the other people have already had the skill and experience beforehand. yeah, i hate being judged. especially for my art work. so, do be gentle with me in the comments, now. 🙂

but then, last week, i felt quite lucky to stumble upon this painting school that organizes classes for people who have never ever painted in their lives. and they even offer a discount for this introductory class. what’s more, it’s a mere fifteen-minute walk from where i live, which is just perfect!

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