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Ocelot II

(129,622 posts)
Thu Oct 30, 2025, 11:41 AM Oct 2025

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.

28 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 Oct 2025 OP
Lovely! mwmisses4289 Oct 2025 #1
Feel like I'm there. cachukis Oct 2025 #2
You've captured the light beautifully! SheltieLover Oct 2025 #3
Beautiful Hey Joe Oct 2025 #4
Very pretty Beringia Oct 2025 #5
Gouache gives me grief, too. I mostly use it to accept my GPV Oct 2025 #6
Yes, I found it and checked it out before buying paint Ocelot II Oct 2025 #10
I'm just doing white with transparents, but perhaps on bigger GPV Oct 2025 #25
I like it. The light is varied, dancing like it would naturally. The layers of light work. Solly Mack Oct 2025 #7
Very nice! Well done with the contrast. electric_blue68 Oct 2025 #8
It's still very pretty though!! sagetea Oct 2025 #9
Thank you for your kind words! Ocelot II Oct 2025 #13
I think you did a fabulous job! Diamond_Dog Oct 2025 #11
I got it at a Blick's store. Ocelot II Oct 2025 #12
That was a new one for me as well. electric_blue68 Oct 2025 #14
Beautiful. I love it. Joinfortmill Oct 2025 #15
Absolutely beautiful Grim Chieftain Oct 2025 #16
Wow! That's beautiful. FoggyLake Oct 2025 #17
This is so beautiful and intriguing Billsdaughter Oct 2025 #18
Same here Rebl2 Nov 1 #28
That is beautiful PatSeg Oct 2025 #19
"" AllaN01Bear Oct 2025 #20
Gorgeous. It brings me peace and calm, thank you for your art. chia Oct 2025 #21
That's gorgeous Ocelot II JMCKUSICK Oct 2025 #22
I prefer to work with gouache BigmanPigman Oct 2025 #23
It looks to me like you're nailing it! bif Oct 2025 #24
Nice. applegrove Oct 2025 #26
I am Rebl2 Nov 1 #27

Hey Joe

(474 posts)
4. Beautiful
Thu Oct 30, 2025, 11:52 AM
Oct 2025

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

GPV

(73,378 posts)
6. Gouache gives me grief, too. I mostly use it to accept my
Thu Oct 30, 2025, 12:17 PM
Oct 2025

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

https://fearlessbrush.com/


Ocelot II

(129,622 posts)
10. Yes, I found it and checked it out before buying paint
Thu Oct 30, 2025, 12:37 PM
Oct 2025

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

(73,378 posts)
25. I'm just doing white with transparents, but perhaps on bigger
Thu Oct 30, 2025, 05:36 PM
Oct 2025

passages I'll want tubes.

electric_blue68

(26,310 posts)
8. Very nice! Well done with the contrast.
Thu Oct 30, 2025, 12:26 PM
Oct 2025

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

(1,548 posts)
9. It's still very pretty though!!
Thu Oct 30, 2025, 12:37 PM
Oct 2025

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

(129,622 posts)
13. Thank you for your kind words!
Thu Oct 30, 2025, 12:42 PM
Oct 2025

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

(39,981 posts)
11. I think you did a fabulous job!
Thu Oct 30, 2025, 12:37 PM
Oct 2025

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

Billsdaughter

(130 posts)
18. This is so beautiful and intriguing
Thu Oct 30, 2025, 01:16 PM
Oct 2025

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

BigmanPigman

(54,750 posts)
23. I prefer to work with gouache
Thu Oct 30, 2025, 02:24 PM
Oct 2025

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

(26,744 posts)
24. It looks to me like you're nailing it!
Thu Oct 30, 2025, 03:34 PM
Oct 2025

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!

Rebl2

(17,495 posts)
27. I am
Sat Nov 1, 2025, 10:06 AM
Nov 1

not an artist by any means, but I think you achieved your goal of showing the contrast of light and shadow in this woodland picture. It’s beautiful!

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