I Miss Seeing the Blue Skies, so here I am, made Studio Ghibli-inspired Paintings

Hi, Inner Blocks community! Thank you so much for the support of the last article I posted here which is I Miss Sunset Watching in the Philippines, so here I am, Painting Sunset Mood Board. You made me feel encouraged to do more artworks. So, here I am sharing with you another artwork and my feelings about my painting.

I made another painting in January 2024, still, the gray skies here in France are making me depressed. Every time the cold season arrives, I become lazy and get into hibernating mode.

I've been here four years in France, I am still not used to the cold weather. As someone who came from the tropics, the cold season makes me feel not normal.

The photo above was taken on Guimaras Island in the Philippines during my trip in 2014 where we went to see a mango plantation. I am missing the blue skies and green surroundings.

Twin Lakes of Balinsasayao in Negros Oriental in 2016

Studio Ghibli sceneries using gouache paint

I was searching for blue skies using gouache paint and suddenly, the search resulted in Studio Ghibli sceneries. Several gouache artists are inspired by Studio Ghibli's animated movies especially, Spirited Away. I haven't watched all the animated movies though.

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Styles and Themes

Studio Ghibli films are mostly hand-drawn using rich watercolor and acrylic paints. The films use traditional methods of making animation where every frame is drawn and colored by hand. Computer animation techniques are used sparingly.[136] All the Studio Ghibli films use bright colors,[137][138] and have a "whimsical and joyful aesthetic".[139] Studio Ghibli’s art style tends to be more of a cozy European style that put a lot of undertones on the background and nature in the scene.[140]

Source: Wikipedia

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One of the popular gouache painting studies that showed in my search result is the blue skies with sunflowers. I made a different version but realized I made a mistake with the skies. The sunflowers were not perfect. Anyway, not bad for a first-timer.

After the first painting, I decided to create another painting. This time, I was more satisfied with the clouds, which looked more realistic than the first.

Blue and Green colors calm me down

After doing this painting my heart is at peace. The blue and green colors calm me down and my eyes are more relaxed.

Wishful thinking, can't wait for the springtime

I am excited for springtime, which means blue skies everywhere. I can't wait to see the flowers in the green field.

The photo above was taken at Plage Bonaparte in May 2021 with my son and my husband which is a good place to do plein air painting. I was pregnant with our second baby.

Plein Air Painting

Being in France, I just learned the words 'en plein air' for outdoors. I am excited for springtime and I want to challenge myself to get out and paint outdoors.

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En plein air (pronounced [ɑ̃ plɛ.n‿ɛʁ]; French for 'outdoors'), or plein-air [1] painting, is the act of painting outdoors.

This method contrasts with studio painting or academic rules that might create a predetermined look. The theory of 'En plein air' painting is credited to Pierre-Henri de Valenciennes (1750–1819), first expounded in a treatise entitled Reflections and Advice to a Student on Painting, Particularly on Landscape (1800),[2] where he developed the concept of landscape portraiture by which the artist paints directly onto canvas in situ within the landscape.

Source: Wikipedia

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I am happy to add a painting to my collection.

To be honest, I love waking up and seeing this Studio Ghibli scenery on my A5 sketchbook. Another art therapy to enjoy.

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