In this class, we will be focusing on how to make a painting combining gouache painting with pastels and coloured pencils.

Gouache is a fantastic medium to combine with other things, it’s a very versatile paint and makes friends easily with other materials, use it both in a watery and a flat graphic way to achieve great contrasts in textures and effects.

This class is the second in a series of classes I’m calling The Gouache Files, but you can take them in any order.

We will start this class by discussing what materials to use, how to plan a colour scheme, then we will find some inspiration reference and get stuck into a few paint exercises before making our final piece of artwork, plus there’s a special bonus class at the end to give you some ideas of what else you can do with your finished artwork.

This class will cover:

What materials you will need
How to choose a limited colour palette
How to mix your paint
Where to look for inspiration for your subject matter
Making fun paint, pastel and pencil exercises to get you in the creative zone.
The joy of semi abstract art using an instinctive and organic approach
A few ways to use your artwork other than on the wall!

I’ll talk you through the materials I use for the class and how you can do the class project with just a few paints, pastels and coloured pencils without having to go out and buy lots of new materials…unless you really want to!

I’ll also show you the way I find some great colour combinations to use and keep a limited choice of colours to give maximum impact.

We will look for inspiration reference on the internet and in books and I’ll show you some of my favourite sites and publications, I’ll also show you how I like to make simple drawings of flowers and leaves in my garden to use as a reference and I’ve put a copy of some in the class resources if you want to use them.

By doing some of the paint exercises it will get us in the right frame of mind to carry straight on and create a wonderful painting with our mixture of mediums using an instinctive, relaxed and organic method to create a semi abstract painting inspired by flowers and leaves.

The class is suitable for everyone, beginners through to experienced artist as I use a simple and fun approach that will feel very un-daunting yet interesting enough to appeal to artists looking to try something different.

This class is for you if you’ve:

Have used one or all of the mediums but have never thought to use them together.
Love using mixed media and want to do more.
Like the idea of using nature as inspiration
Want to try a semi abstract approach to making art.
If you just love experimenting!

So, follow me on my gouache journey as I investigate this wonderful medium and by the end of the class, you’ll have:

A much better understanding of how to use gouache.
A method of using paint with pastels and pencils.
Confidence to try mixed media
A good idea of where to find inspiration for your subject matter.
A plan for creating a colour scheme.

Class Materials:

Gouache used:

Windsor and Newton Designers gouache in Turquoise blue, Ultramarine, Indigo, Linden Green, Olive Green, Primary Yellow, Orange Lake Light, Permanent White, Red Ochre, Pale Rose Blush.