Gouache

When I paint animals I look for the underlying colours.  Fur is very complex and varies according to the age of the animal and the  environmental conditions at the time.  This painting was done from a photo taken in Africa by a friend of mine who was very generous in allowing me to use it.     …

The answer is yes.  It is mixed in the same way as transparent watercolour paints and applied in the same way.  Always make sure the paint is thoroughly mixed in with the water and that you have the depth of colour you want for the work you are doing.  Of course the quality of the…

As  I prefer to use the dry brush method when using gouache I like to have 2 jars of water, one to wash the brushes and one (a small one) which I change often. I wet the brush and dab lightly to remove excess water then load the brush with gouache.  I use small amounts from the tube at a…

Gouache (gwash) has been around for centuries.    The word comes from the Italian word for mud – guazzo.  It is thought the technique of adding zinc white to watercolour was discovered by a monk, in Italy,  in the eleventh century.  He used the technique while working on manuscript illustrations.  The artists over the centuries who used the medium to great effect include the likes…

I have been discovering the magic of gouache over the last few years and have experimented with all the colours available, on various papers, with various brushes and applicators. It is an exciting medium which allows so much flexibility. I love the dry brush technique and the effects of rough surfaces. I do go through…