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Ocelot II

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

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

Hey Joe

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

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
Yesterday

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
Yesterday

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
Yesterday

passages I'll want tubes.

Solly Mack

(95,945 posts)
7. I like it. The light is varied, dancing like it would naturally. The layers of light work.
Thu Oct 30, 2025, 01:24 PM
Yesterday

electric_blue68

(24,649 posts)
8. Very nice! Well done with the contrast.
Thu Oct 30, 2025, 01:26 PM
Yesterday

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
Yesterday

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
Yesterday

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

(38,939 posts)
11. I think you did a fabulous job!
Thu Oct 30, 2025, 01:37 PM
Yesterday

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
Yesterday

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
Yesterday

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
Yesterday

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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