Expanding Your Artistic Horizons Series
Painting Session 5
Date: 08/03/2017
Subject: Wren on A Dogwood Branch
Medium: Gouache on Illustration Board
Colors Used In This Session: Yellow Ochre, Burnt Sienna, Burnt Umber, Zinc White, Alizarin Crimson, Lemon Yellow, Ultramarine Blue
Links to painting sessions: Session 1, Session 2, Session 3, Session 4
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Painting A Wren In Gouache - Final Session
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Since I don't feel I am continuing to make any progress on the painting, I made this the final session. I feel like I did a pretty good job for never painting with Gouache. Most of the time was spent trying to bring out more details on the Wren, but in the end, I think I made very little progress from session 4. I worked a lot on the wings trying to define the feathers in more detail, but could not get the proper shift in values to make the wings stand out. It is fun and sometimes frustrating when you are trying to learn a new medium. Sometimes you get stuck trying to manipulate the new medium, in this case, gouache, to behave like the medium you are used to using, in my case oil. That never works unless the two mediums have similar properties.
The whole painting in Gouache exercise was a result of Expanding My Artistic Horizons. As mentioned in the session 1 post I had several inspirations to try gouache, and I am glad I did. I painted this whole painting in gouache, and it was a challenge for me, but I am now looking forward to painting another painting in gouache. I want to paint a little more detailed composition, probably a wildlife scene. I also would like to try painting just in transparent watercolor and do a mixed media painting incorporating watercolor, gouache, and ink. That will keep me busy and allow me to continue expanding my artistic horizons.
Final Observations Painting a Wren In Gouache
1. Gouache reactivates with water, so you have to be careful and ensure the paint is dry before painting on top of previously laid down paint.
2. The quick drying properties of Gouache don't allow you to blend the paint. Maybe due to my lack of experience or I am unaware of various techniques to achieve the same look.
4. Gouache dries duller than other paint. I like the look of Gouache, but it is hard for me to obtain proper values.
5. Getting the right balance of water and paint seemed to be challenging. More often than not I always got to much water, and the paint became too transparent.
Personnel Critic
1. For never painting with Gouache I am happy with the results.
2. I have some design issues with the leaves and dogwood flowers. I debated to try to correct them but decided I should leave well enough alone.
3. I never got the realistic detail I wanted on the feathers, leaves, and flowers, hopefully, will improve in the next painting.
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