So I’ve been trying to use gouache for a while now, but it's never really worked out - I think that, as I’ve explored different styles of painting and drawing, I’ve come to prefer loose, wet into wet watercolour and delicately bold line work in ink and pencil, and I’ve struggled with the opaque colours and bold blends.
I do love drawing on toned paper, though, so I bought some black hot press to try that. I completed all the exercises and painted a mountain that I saw on a recent walking trip. 
It's not my best piece - I still feel that I would be better off exploring the subject matter with a different medium, maybe some loose watercolour, but I am glad I tried - unsuccessful projects are still a part of the creative process after all!