IS GOUACHE WATERCOLOUR?

 Yes it is but with a huge difference!

It is created with the same pigments + Water with added Gum Arabique which is a binding agent.

Consequently the paint is opaque and does not perform like a  Watercolour.

When working in Watercolour you can add Gum Arabic as a medium that will extend the drying time and gives you time to manipulate the work for a longer time and some watercolours contains a small amount of Gum Arabic. It can be lift up as it doesn’t dry permanently 

Coming back to gouache, you can find many different kinds.. from the children paint to more professional quality paints.

Some are for designers. I found them very vibrant slightly garish for my style of painting.

You have to be aware when applying the paint, the layers must be minimal as too much can end up powdery and build up on the surface.

In my case, I like to apply the paint well diluted and thinly.

Dark colours dry lighter and light colours dry darker.

Personally if I want to paint with gouache, I build up a painting in Watercolour and come back with gouache.

However, some paintings created uniquely in gouache, if well executed can be very attractive.

Many artists have used gouache with Pastel, Pencils……

Have a look at this educational link:

https://arthive.com/techniques/gouache

You will find the works of past masters.

Gouache Talens is my favourite. It is very fine with beautiful colours.

Below, a gouache executed on Watercolour. Inspired by a corner of my home town where I walk my dog.

 

My Personal story with watercolour

 MY PERSONAL STORY WITH WATERCOLOUR 

I did not attend Art school! My father was a brilliant artist in Oil but his main occupation was Master in Stained glass Windows.

He taught me composition, sense of colours, how to paint in Oil. I spent many hours in his studio, helping also with his business

When I wanted to go to les Beaux Arts in France where we were living, it was a firm NO.

He told me: ‘ Women look after their husband and children”

Born in 1946, like the rest of the girls I knew, we did not have the freedom girls have now or backing from parents. We were doing what we were told.

I was sent to a college to learn secretarial, accountancy etc

It was with a heavy heart I saw students passing by with their portfolios.

I was well determined that one day I would be an artist.

Within a year, I passed all my exams with success then I was sent to find a job while in the same time I was doing my father’s secretarial tasks.

In a way, it has served me well as I have never needed help with my papers…

Regarding Watercolour, my father did two little paintings, each time adding pastel to them.

I was not allowed to touch his treasured paints. Probably to put me off, he told me Watercolour is not a serious medium. Oil was the king of medium.

I married. while I was helping my husband in his business and raising our three children, I was finding time to draw with pastels. I bought some Oil paint, did a few paintings, then discovered Acrylic. I produced many canvas in Acrylic. 

I was buying Art magazines where all kind of works were on display. I was avoiding looking at watercolour works as my father had taught me, it was not a serious medium. I had an aversion to them. Probably because deep down I was attracted by the medium.

I was mesmerised by the luminosity, the beautiful colours mixing together with softness.

One day I read artists who worked on canvas made small watercolours of what they wanted to paint to help them see how the works on canvas would look!!!

Eureka! It was the nudge I was needing. I bought a tin of Watercolour, some paper and I started.

I got well and proper hooked !!!

I have painted so many. Friends and family got a lot out of my studio.

Then one day I put them on Ebay to find out if there were sellable. And yes they were!!!

I have now sold them  at good prices.

My aim is to try to help the beginners in Watercolour as there are so many questions most people ask me…

So watch this space.

Tea break, a watercolour painting

 

“Tea break” pure watercolour on Saunders Waterford with Winsor Newton paint

I have much enjoyed creating this painting. I use my many references and add them as I design the painting 

Another portrait of a grandchild. I called it “Oh Water” as she was obviously enjoying drinking out of the bottle     

  Pure watercolour on paper Saunders Waterford with Winsor Newton paint

There has been a while since I posted watercolours on my blog.

This is a portrait of my grandchild in Pure Watercolour