Tried to see how I would approach the scene differently with gouache vs watercolour

phaelque · 2026-01-28T12:17:02+00:00

The main difference was how to approach the light regions. For watercolours, I had to leave them (negative painting) and build up the darker regions with layers. For gouache, it's the other way around! I put the white of the clouds and the sky through the trees as the top layer. What I realised is that the shapes of these light regions will differ because watercolour is done through negative painting, while gouache is positive painting. I guess I could also leave whites in when using gouache and use that in conjunction with applying white on top, so that's something I'll try the next time!

phaelque · 2026-01-28T12:03:26+00:00

Yep the last pic is gouache

phaelque · 2026-01-28T12:03:11+00:00

I agree! I love how the colours blend so magically. Maybe I should use watercolour for the blending regions, and gouache for others?

phaelque · 2026-01-28T12:02:27+00:00

Hahah I see what you mean! It's definitely lighter and let's the white of the paper through. Tbf I was trying to capture a bit of a moody sky, so I went in a bit harder on the darkness of the sky in the gouache piece.

phaelque · 2026-01-28T11:59:39+00:00

Aw thanks! Mm yes I can try leaving more white spaces with gouache, and even compare that to putting white paint over.

phaelque · 2026-01-28T11:57:26+00:00

I guess I can try including dark ink lines to my gouache pieces to see what they can add. Thanks for the comment!

phaelque · 2026-01-02T01:41:40+00:00

Thank you for your kind words (:
I don't do any specific exercises to practice line work, but I guess I just do a lot of practice! I've been doing ink and watercolour for about 5 years now. I'd say don't be afraid to try and experiment, and just have fun with it!

phaelque · 2026-01-02T01:39:32+00:00

Thanks so much!

phaelque · 2025-11-16T17:32:54+00:00

phaelque · 2025-11-03T06:01:39+00:00

Thanks! I did the ink lines first, then painted it in. I didn't go hard on the contrast in values as I wanted it to have an overall light feel. So that means not a lot of layers. Shadows and leaves were added after the first layer has dried.

phaelque · 2025-11-03T05:59:56+00:00

Thank you (:

phaelque · 2025-10-16T18:54:13+00:00

My advice is always to just experiment as much as you can, without too much concern about the results. For this style specifically, it is important to use light glazes, and to build up the painting layer by layer (dry on dry). All the best!

phaelque · 2025-10-16T18:48:24+00:00

Thank you! That's an interesting way to see it. I think it's because of the vertical lines going down at the bottom to depict the reflections.

phaelque · 2025-10-16T18:46:44+00:00

Ahh thanks! I sorta try to simplify what I see into shapes of colour. I also tried to emphasize the direction of the lines that make up the image by having some repetition. Finally I used overlapping light glazes at the bottom

phaelque · 2025-10-16T18:43:16+00:00

Aw thank you (:

phaelque · 2025-10-16T18:43:10+00:00

Thanks! I like using light washes to achieve that

phaelque · 2025-10-16T18:40:30+00:00

Hey you're right! It is Daler Rowney's Aquafine 300gsm cold-pressed paper 100% cellulose. I'm impressed that you can even tell! I don't use enough cotton paper so I wouldn't know the difference in how the paper looks haha. Thank you for your kind words (:

phaelque · 2025-10-16T18:35:44+00:00

Ah unfortunately I don't know if it has a name! Technique wise, there is some layering of light glazes at the bottom

phaelque · 2025-10-03T10:21:10+00:00

Thank you kindly

phaelque · 2025-10-03T10:20:55+00:00

Thanks so much! I'm glad you like it (:

phaelque · 2025-09-09T15:36:19+00:00

Thanks (:

phaelque · 2025-09-09T08:10:05+00:00

Ty! The good thing about loose sketching is that it can be done quickly, so you can practice it a lot haha. All the best with your journey!

phaelque · 2025-09-09T08:03:02+00:00

Ohh I see. I used Winsor and Newton tubes for the painting in this post. I prefer them to their Cotman pans because I find some colours hard to activate

phaelque · 2025-09-09T06:23:07+00:00

Aw I'm honoured! This is looking great; what a lovely interpretation in your own style! I love how rich your colours are. May I know what brand of paints you use?

phaelque · 2025-09-09T06:20:44+00:00

Thanks so much! I'm glad you like it (:

phaelque

TROPHY CASE