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Ocelot II

(126,734 posts)
Wed Aug 20, 2025, 05:55 PM Wednesday

First attempt at gouache, painted on heavy cardboard.

Strange stuff - dries darker the more it's diluted - but I like it. This is from a photo, painted during an art workshop so I got plenty of advice from the instructor. Comments and suggestions welcome!

23 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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First attempt at gouache, painted on heavy cardboard. (Original Post) Ocelot II Wednesday OP
That is beautiful, I love the way the color turned out. Walleye Wednesday #1
Very nicely done! SheltieLover Wednesday #2
Beautiful. bif Wednesday #3
I don't like acrylics - too slippery, and the colors tend to be too intense for my liking. Ocelot II Wednesday #8
You get high marks from my family. underpants Wednesday #4
Ocelot, you did a fabulous job! Diamond_Dog Wednesday #5
Thanks - but I have to give a lot of credit to the instructor, Ocelot II Wednesday #7
I think you did well. Old barns were one of my favorite subjects back when I painted. sinkingfeeling Wednesday #6
Nice. As you explore painting with gouache you might try switching to masonnite/board... brush Wednesday #9
Corrugated cardboard (not single-ply Amazon box-type cardboard) doesn't warp. Ocelot II Wednesday #10
That is incredible! ClaudetteCC Wednesday #11
Very nice!! ybbor Wednesday #12
Nice! orangecrush Wednesday #13
Ocelot II, you have real talent. This is excellent. Your experiment is a success! MLAA Wednesday #14
Looks familiar... Escape Wednesday #15
Very nice! AltairIV Wednesday #16
I'm going to give you a professional opinion ... Auggie Wednesday #17
Thanks for the suggestions! Ocelot II Wednesday #20
Thanks for being so gracious. Another suggestion ... Auggie Wednesday #21
Maybe, but I'm not that diligent; if I do it again it will probably be as an oil painting. Ocelot II Wednesday #22
This is excellent! I love it. LoisB Wednesday #18
Great depth! Nt Trueblue Texan Wednesday #19
Very Nice, Ocelot II! calimary Wednesday #23

bif

(26,172 posts)
3. Beautiful.
Wed Aug 20, 2025, 05:58 PM
Wednesday

I find it's sort of in between watercolors and acrylics. I use it occasionally to paint over parts of watercolor paintings. Mostly white gouache for things like waves and clouds.

Ocelot II

(126,734 posts)
8. I don't like acrylics - too slippery, and the colors tend to be too intense for my liking.
Wed Aug 20, 2025, 06:20 PM
Wednesday

Gouache is more subtle, though its tendency to dry darker takes some getting used to; and if it dries on your skin you can get it off, unlike acrylic paint which will be stuck there until the end of time. Watercolor is harder to control and harder to correct mistakes.

underpants

(192,381 posts)
4. You get high marks from my family.
Wed Aug 20, 2025, 06:04 PM
Wednesday

My wife has an art degree. My daughter is a naturally incredible artist. They loved it.

Ocelot II

(126,734 posts)
7. Thanks - but I have to give a lot of credit to the instructor,
Wed Aug 20, 2025, 06:15 PM
Wednesday

a respected local artist, who fixed many things and kept pointing me in the right direction. I learned a lot and I'll probably do more with this medium.

brush

(61,018 posts)
9. Nice. As you explore painting with gouache you might try switching to masonnite/board...
Wed Aug 20, 2025, 06:49 PM
Wednesday

as it won't warp like cardboard.

Ocelot II

(126,734 posts)
10. Corrugated cardboard (not single-ply Amazon box-type cardboard) doesn't warp.
Wed Aug 20, 2025, 06:51 PM
Wednesday

But I think I'll switch to something more durable for further efforts.

ClaudetteCC

(91 posts)
11. That is incredible!
Wed Aug 20, 2025, 07:26 PM
Wednesday

I have no such skill but a loved one is getting started with gouache - i look forward to seeing what she does with it.

Escape

(273 posts)
15. Looks familiar...
Wed Aug 20, 2025, 07:40 PM
Wednesday

I grew up in rural Kansas in the 50s. Your beautiful painting takes me back there.

Very, very nice work.

Show us more.

Auggie

(32,515 posts)
17. I'm going to give you a professional opinion ...
Wed Aug 20, 2025, 08:30 PM
Wednesday

based on 46 years of planning and commissioning commercial art.

It's a great start with a lot to like. The design works great. Love the way you layered the grasses and soils in terms of color and contrast of shape. Top notch. The sky would benefit from a similar approach. You might try a little looser brush when painting the buildings, especially the front structure. You don't have to get that detailed with the wood and windows IMO.

I have a friend who teaches painting. He's an incredible artist. He encourages his students to push the vibrancy of colors they use. I think the buildings would benefit from an approach like that.

Just an opinion.

Please show us more. This is a great start.

Ocelot II

(126,734 posts)
20. Thanks for the suggestions!
Wed Aug 20, 2025, 08:45 PM
Wednesday

I'm new at the medium and will need some practice - been doing oils for years, will take awhile to get used to this stuff.

Auggie

(32,515 posts)
21. Thanks for being so gracious. Another suggestion ...
Wed Aug 20, 2025, 09:52 PM
Wednesday

paint it again. I have a friend who paints the same watercolors over and over. He seems to refine them with every version.

Ocelot II

(126,734 posts)
22. Maybe, but I'm not that diligent; if I do it again it will probably be as an oil painting.
Wed Aug 20, 2025, 10:10 PM
Wednesday

I'd like to explore other subjects to experiment with.

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