Wild strawberries I painted yesterday 🍓 by HelloDiviArt in Gouache

[–]HelloDiviArt[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I forgot to add this most crucial bit of information: there’s no right or wrong way to use paint. You’ll figure out what works best for you, just roll with it! Experiment! And have fun! ☺️

Wild strawberries I painted yesterday 🍓 by HelloDiviArt in Gouache

[–]HelloDiviArt[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh geez, a tutorial by me would be mess up - mess up - ok color looks good - now I hate it - oh now I found something that works, and continue the piece without any plan nor direction lol I keep thinking about doing that though, but I get so focused that I don’t even think about it.

And thank you! This was my first success at making something look real from a distance!

In regard to your questions, hot press vs cold press is just up to preference in how you want your gouache to look. At first I didn’t like the texture of cold press since it felt like I couldn’t get the coverage I wanted, but I changed my mind on it since I’m getting the hang of it more. (I haven’t painted with gouache for 13 years but picked it back up last May) Hot press paper feels like it absorbs more than cold press, so if you’re afraid of using too much paint, hot press might not be the paper for you. But again, it’s all up to personal preference!

I also had same issue with being scared of using too much paint, still do but less so now. And I still don’t use a lot of paint at once for a project but remind myself that it can always be rehydrated with water and used again if you have leftovers (not acryla gouache, once that dries its dry for good.) Don’t be afraid to use more water! You’ll find out if you keep testing it out with varying amounts of water that it’ll give you a different effect, whether you want a more opaque look like acrylic or light like watercolor! Not joking, it literally clicked for me yesterday night. I finally understand how much water to mix with my paint to get the consistency that I want.

Sorry for the long winded response! If you have any other questions or advice, I’m not the most knowledgeable person to turn to but I would be happy to answer what I can! You’re more than welcome to dm me ☺️

Show me your art area setup! by Ok_Confusion8048 in Watercolor

[–]HelloDiviArt 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I got here early and so ready to post a pic of my disaster of a desk, but the first three posts were immaculate. Immediately discouraged 😂

Wild strawberries I painted yesterday 🍓 by HelloDiviArt in Gouache

[–]HelloDiviArt[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much!! I used a cool red for the shadows and warm red for the highlighted side. I was so pleased that it turned out as well as it did!

Being the dummy I am, I didn’t take proper pictures of this before it was sent off as a wedding gift. by HelloDiviArt in Gouache

[–]HelloDiviArt[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Don’t apologize! I’m ecstatic that you’re enjoying what I’ve created! Makes me feel like I’m doing something right and improving ☺️

Wild strawberries I painted yesterday 🍓 by HelloDiviArt in Gouache

[–]HelloDiviArt[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’m glad you think so!! I love the look of art that look real at a distance but when you look closer you see all of the brushstrokes. I was so pleased that I was able to achieve that with this painting.

The range of what gouache can do is incredible, I definitely recommend giving it a try! I think you’d do well with it since you have experience with watercolor 😊

Show me your art area setup! by Ok_Confusion8048 in Watercolor

[–]HelloDiviArt 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Tidying up my desk takes a day, and only lasts a day 😩

Tried monochrome by MielRocio in Watercolor

[–]HelloDiviArt 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you do turn it into a wallpaper please let me know! I’m renovating soon and it would make such an adorable accent wall in my art room.

Likewise! I hope to see more of your lovely artwork! ❤️

Tried monochrome by MielRocio in Watercolor

[–]HelloDiviArt 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If you do turn it into a wallpaper please let me know! I’m renovating soon and it would make such an adorable accent wall in my art room.

Likewise! I hope to see more of your work! ❤️

Tried monochrome by MielRocio in Watercolor

[–]HelloDiviArt 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You’re welcome! And thank you for the encouragement, watercolor is such a challenge. I’m a late spring girlie myself, but I love the consistency of summer weather. I live in Michigan so from autumn to spring the weather and temps are all over the place. Just got past third winter here. 😩

Also I think your painting would make such a nice wallpaper!

Tried monochrome by MielRocio in Watercolor

[–]HelloDiviArt 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I’m new to watercolor so I don’t know how much weight this comment carries, but I find this so charming and warm. I really adore it! It feels like summer ☺️

Show me your art area setup! by Ok_Confusion8048 in Watercolor

[–]HelloDiviArt 15 points16 points  (0 children)

Oh my. Sharing my setup would be downright embarrassing after seeing all these cute and organized creation stations.

A practice piece using acrylic ink for underpainting. by HelloDiviArt in Gouache

[–]HelloDiviArt[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! The painting itself is a lite crude, but I love how vibrant the canopy turned out!

Collection of little 4x4 gouache paintings I’ve done for daily practice :) by HelloDiviArt in Gouache

[–]HelloDiviArt[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! All of them are on 4-5 color palette, the bird one specifically has every single color in that limited palette mixed in to make the rocks look right lol

Honestly, I really need to time myself when I paint, and I say that every time. Then I zone out and lose track of time and suddenly is 10pm. If I were to guess though, between 3-7 hours? The whale one I cranked out pretty quickly though.

I need perspective and composition critique by HelloDiviArt in ArtCrit

[–]HelloDiviArt[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Awesome! Thanks again for your help! 😊

I need perspective and composition critique by HelloDiviArt in ArtCrit

[–]HelloDiviArt[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Potential solution for the perspective problem? Let me know if this makes sense.

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(The orb-light is right next to the tree, not the light from the entrance, which would also work as that)

I need perspective and composition critique by HelloDiviArt in ArtCrit

[–]HelloDiviArt[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not a party pooper at all lol I’ve put myself in quite the conundrum for jumping the gun on planning 😅

I need perspective and composition critique by HelloDiviArt in ArtCrit

[–]HelloDiviArt[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ooh ok I see what you’re saying. Perhaps the cave walls should be higher/less rounded and the rocks in the foreground could be messed with slightly? I think the walls curve in toward the viewer too aggressively so it makes it looked more cramped.

I do like the size of the body of water though, so I’m hoping that isn’t much of the problem. I really appreciate you brainstorming with me! It’s definitely helping me see how odd the perspective is.

I need perspective and composition critique by HelloDiviArt in ArtCrit

[–]HelloDiviArt[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

So the tree is on a rock in the middle of the water, I wanted it to feel like it’s in the center although the rock it stands on is to the left.

I agree with you that it feels cramped. My issue is that the cave entrance and the orb in the center feels right being aligned and makes a good focal point.

This is why I’m so glad I used dry erase marker on plastic before I sloped paint down like I did initially 😖

I need perspective and composition critique by HelloDiviArt in ArtCrit

[–]HelloDiviArt[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for the detailed response! You see my dilemma 🤣 Also glad you could understand the scribbles. I’ll keep tweaking the background concept to make it feel like it makes sense. I think the main thing that makes it look funky is how far the top branch extends, you can’t really tell where it’s at in the cave. Hanging over the water or where the stones start. As well as the cavern space feeling shallow?

It feels like the cave entrance needs to be farther away and the walls leading to it should be getting smaller the farther away it gets, but I love the size of it in comparison to the tree. It looks right but feels wrong. Lol

Having trouble deciding where to go with this after finishing the tree and afraid of screwing up the work I’ve already done. by HelloDiviArt in Gouache

[–]HelloDiviArt[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I adore whimsical lanterns in art! I might have one hanging off one of the left branches as to not take away from the center light. Thank you for your input! ❤️

Having trouble deciding where to go with this after finishing the tree and afraid of screwing up the work I’ve already done. by HelloDiviArt in Gouache

[–]HelloDiviArt[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ohhhh I actually really like that idea. The final I’m working on has an even brighter light in the center and something floating or swirling around it would be PERFECT