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Ocelot II

(128,029 posts)
Thu Oct 30, 2025, 12:41 PM Thursday

Still trying to figure out gouache - it's a weird medium.

Here's a very small painting, only 4" x 6", on a paper panel with aluminum backing, also an experiment. It does keep the paper from curling, though you don't use as much water with gouache anyhow. It's hard to control the values because the colors change (darken or lighten) as they dry. I was trying to show the contrast in light and shadow in this wooded area.

26 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Still trying to figure out gouache - it's a weird medium. (Original Post) Ocelot II Thursday OP
Lovely! mwmisses4289 Thursday #1
Feel like I'm there. cachukis Thursday #2
You've captured the light beautifully! SheltieLover Thursday #3
Beautiful Hey Joe Thursday #4
Very pretty Beringia Thursday #5
Gouache gives me grief, too. I mostly use it to accept my GPV Thursday #6
Yes, I found it and checked it out before buying paint Ocelot II Thursday #10
I'm just doing white with transparents, but perhaps on bigger GPV Thursday #25
I like it. The light is varied, dancing like it would naturally. The layers of light work. Solly Mack Thursday #7
Very nice! Well done with the contrast. electric_blue68 Thursday #8
It's still very pretty though!! sagetea Thursday #9
Thank you for your kind words! Ocelot II Thursday #13
I think you did a fabulous job! Diamond_Dog Thursday #11
I got it at a Blick's store. Ocelot II Thursday #12
That was a new one for me as well. electric_blue68 Thursday #14
Beautiful. I love it. Joinfortmill Thursday #15
Absolutely beautiful Grim Chieftain Thursday #16
Wow! That's beautiful. FoggyLake Thursday #17
This is so beautiful and intriguing Billsdaughter Thursday #18
That is beautiful PatSeg Thursday #19
"" AllaN01Bear Thursday #20
Gorgeous. It brings me peace and calm, thank you for your art. chia Thursday #21
That's gorgeous Ocelot II JMCKUSICK Thursday #22
I prefer to work with gouache BigmanPigman Thursday #23
It looks to me like you're nailing it! bif Thursday #24
Nice. applegrove Yesterday #26

Hey Joe

(288 posts)
4. Beautiful
Thu Oct 30, 2025, 12:52 PM
Thursday

Great job with the light and shadows. Makes for an interesting scene for me.
You have talent!

GPV

(73,348 posts)
6. Gouache gives me grief, too. I mostly use it to accept my
Thu Oct 30, 2025, 01:17 PM
Thursday

Transparents. Have you been to Sarah Burns's site? Scrumptious work!

https://fearlessbrush.com/


Ocelot II

(128,029 posts)
10. Yes, I found it and checked it out before buying paint
Thu Oct 30, 2025, 01:37 PM
Thursday

to find out which were the better brands. I didn't get the top of the line stuff, since I don't know yet whether I like the medium, but at least I learned which brands aren't so good.

GPV

(73,348 posts)
25. I'm just doing white with transparents, but perhaps on bigger
Thu Oct 30, 2025, 06:36 PM
Thursday

passages I'll want tubes.

electric_blue68

(24,650 posts)
8. Very nice! Well done with the contrast.
Thu Oct 30, 2025, 01:26 PM
Thursday

Not a big fan of gouache. I found it difficult.
Only did one small ? 4" x 4" inch piece on very thick ?paper board. Oh...wait. Maybe very thick illustration board.

sagetea

(1,530 posts)
9. It's still very pretty though!!
Thu Oct 30, 2025, 01:37 PM
Thursday

Really wish I could do trees that nice! Stopped painting a couple of years ago (after just finding out that I actually can paint! lol!) I got frustrated because, I couldn't paint the trees without it looking 'muddy'!


sage

ps.

I always look at your paintings, and never commented on them. Your paintings are very beautiful and through them all are amazing tales in both speech and art! Thank you for sharing!


Ocelot II

(128,029 posts)
13. Thank you for your kind words!
Thu Oct 30, 2025, 01:42 PM
Thursday

Don't give up; take an art class! I've been taking classes for the last 10 years or so, it really makes a difference.

Diamond_Dog

(38,941 posts)
11. I think you did a fabulous job!
Thu Oct 30, 2025, 01:37 PM
Thursday

I have never heard of paper with aluminum backing. Where do you buy it?

Billsdaughter

(97 posts)
18. This is so beautiful and intriguing
Thu Oct 30, 2025, 02:16 PM
Thursday

Makes me want to see what's further down that road. The leaves look so airy. Next level work Ocelot.

BigmanPigman

(54,238 posts)
23. I prefer to work with gouache
Thu Oct 30, 2025, 03:24 PM
Thursday

as an illustrator, not a fine artist. I like it since it is a combination of watercolor and acrylic. It works well for my needs.

bif

(26,398 posts)
24. It looks to me like you're nailing it!
Thu Oct 30, 2025, 04:34 PM
Thursday

Beautiful work! It's fun and challenging to work in a new medium. I've been experimenting with pastels lately. Now that's a toughie!

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