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Ocelot II

(126,906 posts)
Wed Aug 20, 2025, 05:55 PM Aug 20

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

bif

(26,190 posts)
3. Beautiful.
Wed Aug 20, 2025, 05:58 PM
Aug 20

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

(126,906 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
Aug 20

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

(192,574 posts)
4. You get high marks from my family.
Wed Aug 20, 2025, 06:04 PM
Aug 20

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

Ocelot II

(126,906 posts)
7. Thanks - but I have to give a lot of credit to the instructor,
Wed Aug 20, 2025, 06:15 PM
Aug 20

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
Aug 20

as it won't warp like cardboard.

Ocelot II

(126,906 posts)
10. Corrugated cardboard (not single-ply Amazon box-type cardboard) doesn't warp.
Wed Aug 20, 2025, 06:51 PM
Aug 20

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
Aug 20

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

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

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

Very, very nice work.

Show us more.

Auggie

(32,537 posts)
17. I'm going to give you a professional opinion ...
Wed Aug 20, 2025, 08:30 PM
Aug 20

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

(126,906 posts)
20. Thanks for the suggestions!
Wed Aug 20, 2025, 08:45 PM
Aug 20

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

(32,537 posts)
21. Thanks for being so gracious. Another suggestion ...
Wed Aug 20, 2025, 09:52 PM
Aug 20

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

(126,906 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
Aug 20

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

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