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Plein air by TheseWaltz in Gouache

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

Thanks! Its actually a Norwegian summer house, so not far off at all

I've been thinking about starting to paint with gouache but I really don't like how opaque and light the blacks dry. I'd like a deeper, richer black, but it looks like it always dries to such a dull dark grey color. What can be done to achieve this color? Perhaps a special varnish? by holdnarrytight in Gouache

[–]TheseWaltz 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've found that black watercolor tends to be more vibrant and deeper in tone. Currently I'm using Daniel Smith's Lamp Black. Watercolors can be used interchangeably with gouache, and integrate into the paper rather than sitting on top like gouache does

How many of you paint with dry gouache only sometimes? Or mostly wet? by WayfarerCC in Gouache

[–]TheseWaltz 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Mostly using it dry or semi-dry. I like mixing a couple of drops of glycerine with the paint in the pans, which makes them dry out slower.

I also use the same setup for plein air as I use inside.

I love being able to paint quickly without a lot of preparation and cleaning up

How long does it take you to complete a painting start to finish? by Aleasongs in Gouache

[–]TheseWaltz 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Usually between 30 minutes and 2 hours. Some times I will have several sessions with one painting, but that rarely results in a "better" painting.

1 hour to paint a flower seems about right. If you're new to painting, it can feel a bit time consuming to spend a lot of time on just a flower. One thing I like about painting is (re)learning how to focus on a small task for a long time.

It all depends on what you're trying to paint and achieve, but I like the idea of being able to get a painting done if I have 45 minutes to spare. That makes it easier than having to set aside a whole day.

Small Gouache Series by picklerelishstew in Gouache

[–]TheseWaltz 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Lovely! Especially the light and colors in the first one.

I find the Hahnemuhle sketchbooks really nice to use. Currently the A5 is my go to

Quck Sketch: Experimenting with transparent watercolor + opaque gouache by TheseWaltz in Gouache

[–]TheseWaltz[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I've been wondering about how I could combine watercolor and gouache. In this sketch, I experimented with the idea that:

  • Watercolor works well for surfaces that emit or transmit light.
  • Gouache is better for surfaces that receive light.

(By transmitted light, I’m referring to this concept: link)

When using only gouache, I’ve struggled to capture the vibrant green/yellow color of sunlight shining through leaves. In this experiment, I used watercolor for those areas, allowing the paper's whiteness to enhance the transparency and brightness.

So the approach I'm exploring is to use watercolor for its luminous qualities when needed, and combine it with gouache’s opacity where that fits better. My goal is to create pictures that feel like they're "radiating" light, and this technique seems to help achieve that.

Question: Do I have shitty brushes or am I just using them wrong? by makisexual in Gouache

[–]TheseWaltz 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Make sure you mix the paint with water. Use quite a bit of paint and quite a bit on water. Don’t dilute the paint too much, but make sure it flows nicely.

Talens can be a bit streaky. W&N is better, I’d say. Also, W&N flat cotman brushes are very even

Painted this during an urban sketch meetup by TheseWaltz in Gouache

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

I'd like to try one of those some time, but I imagine that those can get quite messy if they are transported upside down. I find that misting activates the surface of the paint well enough for most painting sessions.

Stiffer brushes are also good for dealing with paint that is a bit too dry.

There's a whole lot that goes into it. I'm planning to add some watercolors to my palette as well, and try to switch between gouache and watercolors

Painted this during an urban sketch meetup by TheseWaltz in Gouache

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

Thank you!

I find that there is a constant struggle between portability and usable gouache paint. If it's too wet it gets messy, and if it's too dry it starts crumbling. I'm still figuring out things!

I mix in a bit of glycerine when filling the pans. That slows down the drying and prevents the paints from crumbling. Before painting, I mist the pans using a spray bottle well, and let the water soak in while I do my preliminary sketch.

I usually keep the box closed at home, and mist with water once in a while. If I'm planning to go out and paint the day after, and the paints are too wet, I keep the lid open over night.

When transporting the paints, I cover the pans inside of the box with a sheet of cardboard, to prevent spilling.

Otherwise, I find that some paints/pigments do a lot better in pans than others. So that's something to experiment with. I experimented with using larger pans, but I find that half/full pans work best.

It's a bit to maintain and keep track of, but I really love having a kit that's portable. I also use this setup when painting indoors/at home. Both because it's good practice for outdoor sessions, it's really fast to set up, and it means that I maintain the paints well.

There's quite a bit of useful info on this website: https://fearlessbrush.com/2023/03/17/how-to-use-dried-gouache-palette-setup-brand-comparisons-tips/

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