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Ocelot II

(128,014 posts)
Thu Oct 30, 2025, 12:41 PM 17 hrs ago

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
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Still trying to figure out gouache - it's a weird medium. (Original Post) Ocelot II 17 hrs ago OP
Lovely! mwmisses4289 17 hrs ago #1
Feel like I'm there. cachukis 17 hrs ago #2
You've captured the light beautifully! SheltieLover 17 hrs ago #3
Beautiful Hey Joe 17 hrs ago #4
Very pretty Beringia 17 hrs ago #5
Gouache gives me grief, too. I mostly use it to accept my GPV 17 hrs ago #6
Yes, I found it and checked it out before buying paint Ocelot II 16 hrs ago #10
I'm just doing white with transparents, but perhaps on bigger GPV 11 hrs ago #25
I like it. The light is varied, dancing like it would naturally. The layers of light work. Solly Mack 17 hrs ago #7
Very nice! Well done with the contrast. electric_blue68 17 hrs ago #8
It's still very pretty though!! sagetea 16 hrs ago #9
Thank you for your kind words! Ocelot II 16 hrs ago #13
I think you did a fabulous job! Diamond_Dog 16 hrs ago #11
I got it at a Blick's store. Ocelot II 16 hrs ago #12
That was a new one for me as well. electric_blue68 16 hrs ago #14
Beautiful. I love it. Joinfortmill 16 hrs ago #15
Absolutely beautiful Grim Chieftain 16 hrs ago #16
Wow! That's beautiful. FoggyLake 16 hrs ago #17
This is so beautiful and intriguing Billsdaughter 16 hrs ago #18
That is beautiful PatSeg 16 hrs ago #19
"" AllaN01Bear 15 hrs ago #20
Gorgeous. It brings me peace and calm, thank you for your art. chia 15 hrs ago #21
That's gorgeous Ocelot II JMCKUSICK 15 hrs ago #22
I prefer to work with gouache BigmanPigman 15 hrs ago #23
It looks to me like you're nailing it! bif 13 hrs ago #24
Nice. applegrove 5 hrs ago #26

Hey Joe

(287 posts)
4. Beautiful
Thu Oct 30, 2025, 12:52 PM
17 hrs ago

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

GPV

(73,346 posts)
6. Gouache gives me grief, too. I mostly use it to accept my
Thu Oct 30, 2025, 01:17 PM
17 hrs ago

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

https://fearlessbrush.com/


Ocelot II

(128,014 posts)
10. Yes, I found it and checked it out before buying paint
Thu Oct 30, 2025, 01:37 PM
16 hrs ago

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

(73,346 posts)
25. I'm just doing white with transparents, but perhaps on bigger
Thu Oct 30, 2025, 06:36 PM
11 hrs ago

passages I'll want tubes.

Solly Mack

(95,941 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
17 hrs ago

electric_blue68

(24,639 posts)
8. Very nice! Well done with the contrast.
Thu Oct 30, 2025, 01:26 PM
17 hrs ago

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
16 hrs ago

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

(128,014 posts)
13. Thank you for your kind words!
Thu Oct 30, 2025, 01:42 PM
16 hrs ago

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

(38,928 posts)
11. I think you did a fabulous job!
Thu Oct 30, 2025, 01:37 PM
16 hrs ago

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

Billsdaughter

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

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

BigmanPigman

(54,229 posts)
23. I prefer to work with gouache
Thu Oct 30, 2025, 03:24 PM
15 hrs ago

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

(26,393 posts)
24. It looks to me like you're nailing it!
Thu Oct 30, 2025, 04:34 PM
13 hrs ago

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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