Friday, November 22, 2019

Playing with Gouache

Hi everyone.  A few months back I had a play day with Christine, Susan, and Trina.  Christine had purchased some gouache (pronounced gwash) paints and we had a play with them.  They are highly pigmented watercolour paints that can be used on any colour of card stock.  They can be used full strength (opaque) or be watered down (translucent).  Very versatile colouring medium.

Above is the first card I made with these paints.  The colours are opaque and look really nice with this wonderful image from Magenta.

Close-up ...

Below, I used the paints (with lots of water) to smoosh the background before stamping and painting the flower over top.  White gouache is especially good to have.  It's wonderful to have a white that will cover everything ... and also create wonderful splatters for Christmas cards. :)

I got a set of 24 colours and 12 metallics as an early Christmas present.  Hope to be sharing more cards with you soon.

Thanks for visiting!








Card #1 - Floral Collage
Stamps:  Floral Collage (Magenta); Sentiment (unknown)
Paper:  Mixed media (Strathmore 140 lb.); White card base (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:  Black (Versafine); Gouache paints
Accessories & Tools:  paint brushes

Card #2 - Creative Chaos
Stamps:  Creative Chaos (Visible Image); Noteworthy (STAMPlorations)
Paper:  Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb).
Ink:  Black (Versafine); Gouache paints
Accessories & Tools:  Water mister, paint brushes



26 comments:

Kath said...

These are fabulous cards and I look forward to seeing what you make with your Christmas present.
Kath x

Pat said...

I do have some gouache paints but I have to say that they haven't seen the light of day for a very long time, so perhaps having seen your wonderful painted images and pretty washy background on the second I will get them out again. I love the colours and some metallics too which will be great to see, not sure if you have used metallics here but hope to see them soon Loll. x

Marian said...

Loll thanks for sharing your cards. Don't you just love early Christmas presents. lol

Happy Dance said...

I've seen gouache paints used before, but never seen them used so beautifully. I'll admit, I thought, "eh...I don't need these - I'll just use my watercolors..." Until now that is! Those colors! The richness! These are amazing! From bold and vibrant to soft and subtle. Stunning, Loll, simply stunning! xo Bev

Faith A at Daffodil Cards said...

Both are Stunning, the first so vibrant the second delicate, just gorgeous.
Faith x

Darnell said...

These are so pretty, Lolly! Harriet and I had a playdate with them recently, too, but we didn't try smooching with them, so thank you for sharing that idea! I really love the effect of the paints used that way on your beautiful tulip card! Cool that your sediment has the same shape as the image!! Hugs, Dolly

Liz said...

Love what you've done with these paints, Loll, super cards. Enjoy your early Christmas present! xx

Bonnie said...

What awesome cards, Loll! I see something I'm going to need to try in my future! I love the vibrant colors of the flowers on the first card, but the smooshing on the second card won me over! Think I need that stamp too!

Trina P. said...

Beautiful makes, Loll. I especially LOVE your smooshed background. So gorgeous... so much movement. Love gouache paints.

nancy littrell said...

Wow...Stunning watercolored vibrant flowers on your 1st card. Loved the softer smooshed watercoloring on your 2nd card. Looks like a very versatile product. Can't wait to see IRL this Summer:-) TFS Hugs...Nancy

Ina G said...

Both gorgeous Loll. Love the brightness of the first one and the second one using my favourite VI stamp looks fabulous in front of the smooched bg. Have fun with your new presents.

Nstiz said...

These are gorgeous! It sounds like so much fun too. I love how the backgrounds turned out using the gouache. How great to be able to color over a stamped background and have it opaque! These are just great, Loll.

Christine Alexander said...

absolutely stunning Loll, I need to play more with mine. I do love the opacity of the colours :)

TK said...

Two beautiful cards, and I'm so glad you showed us how versatile the medium is -- very nice!

Julie B said...

Two lovely watercoloured cards Loll. Gooash, as we say here, works well on coloured card as you say and I think the white is great for splatter and flicking too. I must admit that I really only use the white, prefering the white of the w/c paper to shine through rather than the hazy effect of the gouache but its great to experiment and find out for ourselves what we think. :)

Marcia Hill said...

I've never even heard of gouache paints before but I'm loving the vibrancy of color! Your 1st card is FABULOUS Loll with those brightly colored flowers and the scripty background...so pretty!! I love the 2nd card too with that awesome background and lovely flower...so simple but so striking! Lovely, lovely cards my friend!! :0)

HilaryJane said...

Both these cards are fabulous, I love the bold colours xx

Bonnie said...

Just when one thinks they have all they need, here comes these. You are such an inspiration and teacher.

Maria said...

Oh, how fun for you to play with some new paints! Love those pretty colors on your first card with the text background! Fabulous second card, too! Looking forward to seeing more creations with your new paints!

Anita in France said...

Looks as though you had heaps of fun with the gouache, Loll ... and had such lovely results too! Bold and vibrant or soft and dreamy, these are both gorgeous! Hugs, Anita :)

Bobby said...

I love the flowers painted over the script, Loll. I just ordered the white and can't wait to try it out - which will be quite a while. But I am stockpiling ideas.

Vicky Hayes said...

You are so inspiring Loll! I love how you never just rest in your comfort zone, but are always out there trying new things, new techniques - and always with great results. Totally agree that a white that will cover everything would be very useful to have. I might have some gouache lurking about somewhere...!!! Vicky x

My Paper Epiphany said...

Very beautiful cards! I loved the transparency in the first:)

Robyn Oliver said...

OOOOWWW these 'gwashie' paints look fantastic, lovely bright clear colours on the first card and a fabulous marbly effect on the second... lucky you Christmas coming early...might just have to investigate our local art shop... gorgeous cards Loll, hugs Robyn

BożenA said...

I love how the yellow gouache has not covered the background pattern and the flower moves the background motif above the background. It looks wonderful. But the second card took my breath ... unique! I love color streaks, they create a kind of fog around the flower. This is another big card of your authorship, Loll!
hugs,
BozenA

Susan said...

Somehow I missed commenting on these cards - I just discovered the post still open on my computer. Both are absolutely gorgeous. Especially the second one with the beautiful blues and purples. I'd like to play with the gouache paints again!