Adventures in Gouache: Painting and Pattern Making Techniques

In this class, we'll be focusing on how to paint with gouache and get the best out of it. Gouache is such a versatile medium, so often though it gets used like watercolor, but I believe it's at its best when used in a flat, slightly thicker way to give a bold graphic look.

We will start with some paint tech exercises and then move on to pattern making.

Covering:

•   What materials you will need.
•   The different qualities of the paint pigment.
•   How to paint a color guide for reference.
•   My personal methods for mixing paint to get the right consistency.
•   The best way to layer your paint.
•   How using different brushes affects your mark-making.
•   We will experiment with marks creating a variety of patterns and produce a library of inspiration.

Then I’ll show you how I gather inspiration for a painting from objects I find in my garden and around the home. We will look at color choices as well as the composition and I will take you through how I mix my colors. Finally, we will draw out and paint a gouache study of our chosen objects.

This class is suitable for beginners. You don’t need lots of painting experience, just some creative enthusiasm, and a few brushes and paints. Throughout the class, there will be mini-tasks, top tips, and little recaps to keep you involved and on track as you create your class project. This class is for you if you've:

•   Always wanted to try gouache but have been nervous about painting with it.
•   Used gouache before without much success.
•   Used gouache for years and love the stuff — there is always something new to learn!

So follow me on a journey of adventures in gouache and by the end of the class, you'll have:

• A much better understanding of how to paint with gouache
• Confidence to experiment with marks and patterns
• An understanding and method for choosing a color scheme
• A plan for completing your own painting.

See you in class — happy painting!

You can check out my other Skillshare class on painting with gouache here:

• Gouache 101: How to produce and decorative design

There are lots of brilliant painting classes on Skillshare, check out the Fine Art pages here for more inspiration. You can also follow me on:

• Spoonflower
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• katecookedesign.co
• Etsy
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