Playing
Is it really possible to be playing in the midst of 2020’s endless problems? Let’s hope so. I named this little painting “Playing” for several reasons. Yes, I promise to share these reasons and more. But first, let’s remind any new blog readers about this colorful place and blog and its reason for being.
Favorite Things
This painting, post and blog are a part of a series I call Favorite Things. This means each week I write about a drawing or painting and the process. You are invited to follow along as I share stories about the creative life I lead. To do so, simply sign up here. You’ll receive one email each week and get a first look at my latest drawing or painting. Woot!
Playing with Gouache
Off and on since May, I have been playing with Gouache. Why? Well, I got a set of gouache paints for my birthday this year. I thought it might be fun to try this water-based, opaque medium. But wait, there are more answers to the why question.
Here’s another answer to why: it’s opaque and requires a similar thought process to painting in oils. By this I mean, in order to create a sense of form or the sense of light on a form in gouache, the painter has to paint simple shapes. So, in this little painting, in order to show the red berry in light, I darkened the lower half of it. And, I also showed a cast shadow of the berry on the leaf below. This is not so different from painting in oils. But there are some differences between the two.
Differences
One of the biggest differences between gouache and oil paints besides opacity is the change that occurs when it’s dry. Gouache can dry a bit darker. There is a tackiness in the paint that takes some getting used to, too. And, I think gouache may lead to a different thinking about laying down the paint. Why?
There’s a technique in oil painting when two areas come together. For instance, an object and the background. The painter can decide whether to make that intersection of the two areas have a crisp edge or to have a softer edge. I love thinking about this and painting these areas in oils.
In my limited experience of playing around with gouache, this technique does not seem possible or desirable. In other words, I have to lay the paint down and live with it in gouache. Or I can paint over an area in gouache to make an adjustment. But the end result is there is not a desirable outcome using ‘wet into wet’ painting in gouache. But, since I’m new to this medium, I will see if this is a fact or a current skill limitation and let you know.
Gouache in History
Even though Gouache is new to me as a medium, it is certainly not new in history. Here are a few wonderful examples.
Ahhh! Who doesn’t recognize this wonderful cut-out entitled Icarus by Henri Matisse? I had this image as a poster in my bedroom as a teenager. You?
And how about this amazing Gouache painting by the mighty Massachusetts born and bred Fidelia Bridges. Isn’t it gorgeous? Even though I usually loathe poison ivy, the leaves and the composition in this painting, help me see it in a whole new light.
Seeing
Speaking of seeing, is it me or are you noticing your surroundings more now that we’re all hanging a bit closer to home? I ask because the source of this little gouache painting is a Kousa dogwood tree in our backyard. Yes I have noticed the tree itself. But the bumpy red berries? Gotta say, I had never really paid much attention before this year. In fairness, until last year, we weren’t really here in NC this time of year. And, this time last year, that side of the garage was covered in scaffolding as Mr Studly renovated the garage for the studio.
But, I have been absolutely entranced by the beautiful berries on this tree this year. So, I clipped off a branch and brought it into the studio to draw and paint.
A New Desk
Lastly, I recently got a new (free!) desk from my fab friend and color consultant, Barbara Clare. The desk is solid wood and easily fits behind one of the easels in my studio. This means that when I finish up painting for the day (which requires standing), I can sit at my desk and sketch and try my new, playful medium, Gouache. Hooray!
And You?
How about you gentle reader? Have you tried playing with something new and different in your world? Even if it’s your cat crashing Zoom meetings, please do share in the comments below. Thank you!
6 Comments
Beth Dyer Clary
September 24, 2020I’ve always wanted to understand something, anything, about gouache. Such a great word and I’m glad to learn a little something from someone who is using it and may even know how to pronounce it!
The contrast between the two paintings – Matisse and Fidelia Bridges (a great name by the way) – is fascinating. Shows what you were talking about with sharp edges and softer ones.
Thanks for a fascinating enlightening post.
Beth
Julie Holmes
September 24, 2020Hi Beth,
Wow – I’m impressed that you are curious about gouache! I confess that I had no real knowledge about it as a medium until the last year or so.
You probably already know this but gouache is pronounced similarly to the word “wash” with the letters g and w in front of it. Gwash…Cool, eh?
Isn’t it a treat to see the difference in treatment between the two artists, I mention? Matisse used gouache in the way an illustrator might use it to create a poster for an advertising concept. Whereas Fidelia Bridges used much more finesse and technical proficiency to create her beautiful painting.
I am so glad you enjoyed reading this post and really appreciate you doing so!
Kathy Michaud
September 25, 2020Hi Julie. I love this little painting. I’ve noticed some rough pinkish red berries on the nature trail nearby and brought some branches home. I’ve really enjoyed looking at it as the berries opened and the leaves bleached out. Are your berries changing as the days go by?
Julie Holmes
September 28, 2020Hi Kathy,
Ya I’m glad you love this little painting! That’s so interesting that the leaves/berries in your neck of the woods are changing. The kousa tree in our backyard just continues to produce more and more of these berries. It’s crazy this year. In fact, right now, the tree almost looks as if it has a halo of these little red berries. And, they don’t seem to change in color at all. They eventually drop off onto the ground and get a bit squishy. But they’re still red and bumpy!
Ah well…I guess berries are like people? Unique in their own way. Thanks so much for reading and commenting here.
Alexandra
September 29, 2020I love how you captured how nestled the red berry is against the green leaves. The depth of the leaves and berry is also very apparent. Wonderful job!
I enjoyed reading your discussion about gouache. Using a new media is so helpful and freeing. I remember working in acrylics some time ago when I went through a phase of working with palette knives. A teacher of mine (Charles Hinman, https://charleshinman.com/) suggested I switch to acrylics while working with palette knives since the paint dried faster; an advantage in that case since I didn’t end up smearing the paint more than I wanted to while layering the various colors on top of one another. I loved it!
I also enjoyed what you said about edges. I’ve been thinking a lot about that, too, as I tend to paint crisp edges but have relished of late seeing work where edges seem messy and unresolved but in the final analysis make perfect sense. Two artists that have inspired me recently on that front are: (1) Shaun Othen (https://www.instagram.com/shaunothen/?hl=en) and (2) Maggie Siner (https://www.maggiesiner.com/index.php).
Julie Holmes
September 30, 2020Hi Alexandra, Lots of information sharing here. Thank you so much! It’s interesting that your teacher suggested that you use acrylics to hone your palette knife skills. Even better that this suggestion helped you handle the palette knife. I confess that this is a tool that I have tried, more than once, and have never been able to feel comfortable using. Perhaps someday I’ll use some acrylics to see if that helps?
Yes I think edges are so much fun to think about with oil painting. I especially enjoy thinking of edges after the block-in and first pass. This stage of the painting is becoming my new favorite because of the opportunity to use edges to refine the composition.
I absolutely love Maggie Siner’s paintings! They are so lush and look as if she loves the paint. Just the paint! I will check out her paintings again and look at Shaun Othen’s too.
Thanks so much for reading and commenting and sharing such helpful information!