I’ve been spending a lot of time lately making various blotches of gouache on paper and watching YouTube videos on its use. At this point I’m thoroughly confused. Of course it’s possible to use gouache just like watercolor but it seems that its real power is when you start applying it in more opaque layers, which moves it closer to oils in both application and in how you mix colors. As I said, I’m thoroughly confused.
I got tired of making endless color spots, color wheels, etc. and decided I should try to paint something. I chose one of my favorite little stores, Le Coin. The result doesn’t do it justice as I don’t really know how to handle gouache in any context, including Le Coin, but here it is – my first gouache painting.
I’m sure you’ve heard the saying about how we have to be willing to be bad at something before we can be good at it…that said, I think you’re off to an excellent start! I love the door with the small triangle of light and the roof/door overhang gives this area more depth. To explore and challenge ourselves with our art…there’s no better feeling! Good luck in your new adventures!
Yes, I have heard that expression, though failing in public is harder than doing so in private. That’s why smart people don’t put their failures on the internet (grin). This is the quote that got me through much of my life:
“Success is stumbling from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm.” – Winston Churchill
Another I like a lot is more recent:
“It’s failure that gives you the proper perspective on success.” – Ellen DeGeneres
This second one, I think, is why artists are more appreciative of other artist’s work than are non-artists.
As for the gouache sketch, I learned a lot from trying to apply what I’ve learned with all the paint blobs I’ve done in recent weeks. Oh how I hate doing paint blobs. Can’t imagine why people like to do them
I like your sketch! I know I’m late wth this comment, but I just found your blog and saw this post, which I can relate to. I too have a similiar ‘confusion’ when I use gouache, mainly because I try to work with it like I do with my watercolours, instead of treating it like a different medium (which it really is due to it’s opacity). I have never worked with oils and only a bit with acrylics, so I have to keep reminding myself to use gouache completely opaque instead of watercolour to get the best effect. Once I start using it like that, and leaving out water almost completely, that helps.
I’m still trying to figure gouache out but I’ve come to the same conclusion. The elimination of most of the water from the process is the answer. I need to spend more time with the medium.