The Pumpkin patch. sketchbook gouache.
Happy Friday the 13th! A wonderful day to paint - I have a few things to tell you about... mostly - paint!
A while back I read: if you soaked wine corks in rubbing alcohol, they become great fire starter - its true!
I had some soaking in a jar, took them out, put them in a bowl where they dried and when I start a fire, I pop one in!
They burn for about 10 minutes, enough to get the wood stove going, no more need to buy fire starters, made with who knows what. Yay.
I want to encourage people to paint but Gouache in particular can be an investment, most individual tubes I purchase are about $11. -up to $25. each, add brushes, canvas (paper) and it can be costly to start. The other day I visited a dollar store in Minden and they had CHEAP gouache, so I thought I'd try & give you my opinion. Images bellow, I also purchased brushes, mini pallets & water spray bottles all for under $10. The painting I did below, this is a great way to find out IF painting is something you might like to explore, especially for kids. It was o.k, the colours not so vibrant, after several coats much better, but it is a basic kit that you can play with, colour mix, paint and see how the colours dry. It also works like gouache where you can come back later- give it a spray with water and it re activates the paint, and your brushes don't get destroyed if you forget to rinse them. If you have never painted or have a child interested, I suggest it's a great place to start, safe, non toxic, affordable. If you decide to to continue it's only cost you $10, to figure that out.
Happy Friday the 13th! A wonderful day to paint - I have a few things to tell you about... mostly - paint!
A while back I read: if you soaked wine corks in rubbing alcohol, they become great fire starter - its true!
I had some soaking in a jar, took them out, put them in a bowl where they dried and when I start a fire, I pop one in!
They burn for about 10 minutes, enough to get the wood stove going, no more need to buy fire starters, made with who knows what. Yay.
I want to encourage people to paint but Gouache in particular can be an investment, most individual tubes I purchase are about $11. -up to $25. each, add brushes, canvas (paper) and it can be costly to start. The other day I visited a dollar store in Minden and they had CHEAP gouache, so I thought I'd try & give you my opinion. Images bellow, I also purchased brushes, mini pallets & water spray bottles all for under $10. The painting I did below, this is a great way to find out IF painting is something you might like to explore, especially for kids. It was o.k, the colours not so vibrant, after several coats much better, but it is a basic kit that you can play with, colour mix, paint and see how the colours dry. It also works like gouache where you can come back later- give it a spray with water and it re activates the paint, and your brushes don't get destroyed if you forget to rinse them. If you have never painted or have a child interested, I suggest it's a great place to start, safe, non toxic, affordable. If you decide to to continue it's only cost you $10, to figure that out.
The next kit I'd recommend and I'm getting better with practice, actually I use it when painting my lessons -like the pumpkin patch above is the HIMI kit I bought - now even more affordable! It comes with brushes & a pallet built in, the colours are more vibrant and many to choose from, I just had to re order the white, which was expected... you always need a lot of white for gouache. Below is the kit I have & the kit I would order -now knowing, when this one gets low, I might get the other with more & metallic paint. Both are on Amazon... what's not available on amazon.
 This is the one I have & like. |  I think I'd get this one next to try. very affordable for the amount of colours |
Now, when I 'paint' a image I've sketched -a 'painting' I prefer to use my Windsor & Newton - it is the most vibrant, even after it's been dried out on my desk, it re hydrates wonderfully! Yes, it is more expensive but I found this perfect started pack that's very affordable - all you need to mix many shades -if I was to purchase them individually from DeSerres (best online for Canadian art supplies, fast & usually free delivery), they would cost more. I picked this up as I always run out of the primary tubes and always need more white anyhow. You do need brushes. As for a pallet - a simple white plate works perfect! Also washes easily to clean. Now you at least have an idea.
Finally - if you want fast easy lessons - step by step - I recommend Ruth Wilshaw - 30 day gouache pass. It cost me $16. Canadian - a great $ for as many lessons as I can fit in in a month & perfect for beginners as she covers it all. I am painting from it daily, I always change them slightly. Many lessons to choose from & Ruth teaches enough basics you should be able to apply them to your own style.
Finally - if you want fast easy lessons - step by step - I recommend Ruth Wilshaw - 30 day gouache pass. It cost me $16. Canadian - a great $ for as many lessons as I can fit in in a month & perfect for beginners as she covers it all. I am painting from it daily, I always change them slightly. Many lessons to choose from & Ruth teaches enough basics you should be able to apply them to your own style.
I hope this might assist anyone considering learning gouache! It is a wonderful way to spend time - created to create!
Time for me to paint a deadly cartoon... ;)
Time for me to paint a deadly cartoon... ;)
