![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_720,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff49c5c3f-fcd1-44ec-bcea-dd2ced0cbd35_2548x3589.jpeg)
![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_720,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff994fceb-62f8-440c-8f5f-a2b674f8eaef_2916x3888.jpeg)
![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_720,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fd6fcbc19-0b35-4749-bed5-db9349537026_2766x3749.jpeg)
![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_720,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F3ee9df0b-69d9-417d-b72c-427cf6784d4f_3024x3827.jpeg)
YU HUANG GONG - this beautiful 170 year old Temple along Telok Ayer street is dedicated to the Heavenly Jade emperor. This small but important national monument was in disrepair in 2012 and needed a lot of restorative work to make it safe again.
This probably the first time I doing a detailed study of the temple entrance. I started quite loose and suggestive but soon ended up painting too tight when I added the tree/foliage. It is always a challenge to not let fore ground elements dominate. I still had fun carving out the lanterns and the 3 tables full of incense and offerings. Perhaps I will do one more larger study and include the tower.
I really admire your work and the fluidity of it! 🎨
Would you mind a « technical » question ? The first splashes of color that you’ve made- are they the lightest shades you could see at the moment ? Or did you need to make first visual anchors to the structure ? Or both? Thank you for your answer 😊