Category Archives: Gouache

A Diversion to Gouache ~~ Yellow Convertible, Cuban Style!

I came across a photo I took some years ago in Cuba and it made me smile. Pulled out my gouache set and took a stab. It turned out too precise, but I’ll try to be looser next time. It was fun anyway.

Yellow convertible, Havana Cuba. Gouache on Paper. 7.5″ x 5″

A Quick Gouache for an Exhibit Cancelled by Covid!

With my painting buddies, the Seven Palettes, I was to mount an exhibition a year ago at Oasis Gallery, Westfield Montgomery Mall, Bethesda, MD. Covid killed that so we got to work and ‘hung’ a digital exhibit online. Here’s one of the gouache paintings I had done for that show. It’s a bit too literal, but I figured some mother or grandmother might like it!

At the playground. Gouache on Paper. 2019. 8″ x 11″.

Been taking workshops ~~ time to show some work!

In the most recent session with Bernie Dellario, my ‘7 Palettes’ buddies, sister Ceci and a few other folks, we made speedy, simplified interpretations of several Old Master paintings. With a limited palette of the 3 primary colors and about 20-30 minutes each, I painted these images :

A figurative, after the nude Venus of Urbino, painted by Titian (1538); a floral, after a magnificent bouquet by van Veerendael (1662); and a quick gouache study of Madonna and Child, after a beautiful one by Bellini (1510).

Paintings 24 & 25. Mock ‘Frescoes’ of Gouache Painted into Damp Plaster

I’m currently taking a class on mixed media and was intrigued when teacher Susan Hostetler mentioned “mock frescoes”, made by painting gouache into still-damp spackle or joint compound slathered onto cardboard or other heavy substrate.  I decided to try it.  My first attempt was a simplistic sugar bowl sitting on our kitchen table.  My quick contour was misshapen, so I touched it up with some water-soluble pencils, moistening the marks to blend them into the gouache.

I then plopped down a seashell (interesting shape though dull colors) and tried again.  I was happier with that one, though disappointed when a little flake popped out sometime later.  Maybe a fixative would deter this type of defect — will have to research it. . . .

 

A Past Start Destined to Remain Unfinished. Dad on the 4th, 2010.

In the last post, I included a photo I took of Dad during our July 4th party in 2010.  I have always treasured that shot.  Back in 2014, when I was beginning to experiment with gouache, I decided to hazard a rendering of the fuzzy image.  I got it to this stage in my first session and put it aside for further work.  I have never had the nerve to do more on it because I was afraid of messing it up or not doing Dad justice.  I’m now declaring it ‘officially unfinished’.  It’s not gonna be changing.  I like it ‘as is’, shortcomings and all.

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Painting #13 – Another Veggie Watercolor-Gouache for a Collector

After painting that cauliflower a few days ago, I started regretting that my collector had selected my dinky mushrooms as part of her four-veggie series for the kitchen.  I decided to do a more ‘fulsome’ substitute for her consideration — celery!  Here it is.  She’s happily taking it instead of the ‘shrooms!

Celery. Watercolor and gouache on paper. 11″ x 14″

Celery Painting and Subject.

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Painting #10 – Cauliflower in Watercolor and Gouache

One of my collectors has bought three of the veggie watercolors I painted last year as a consequence of a workshop with Wendy Artin. And she wants a fourth so she can group them in her kitchen. What to do? A pretty cauliflower was in our fridge so this is how I spent my evening in front of the TV. . . .

I made a few mistakes since I was painting it direct — without a pencil sketch, as Wendy had taught. So I resorted to a bit of gouache so I wouldn’t have to start over!!

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Bethesda UP Publicizes Our Exhibit and Next Reception!

Here’s the news blurb Bethesda Urban Partnership circulated today about the Seven Palettes’ ongoing art exhibit in downtown Bethesda.

We’re having another reception for our ‘Local Color‘ show this coming Friday evening, January 13.  We’re featuring art, cookies and hot cider for all comers, 6 pm to 8 pm.  For directions and parking info:  Gallery B (7700 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, Suite E).

Please join us!

We ‘Seven Palettes’ had a great opening reception yesterday!

The day was cold and icy, but that didn’t deter our lively guests from traveling to Gallery B in Bethesda to celebrate the opening of our month-long art exhibit.  Thanks to all of our friends and family who were able to attend.  And for those who couldn’t get there – we missed you!

Each of us made several nice sales of paintings, prints and greeting cards – and received kudos from those who weren’t in a position to buy.  Here’s a glimpse of the festivities.

Brushes with Nature ~~ a New Exhibit at Kentlands Mansion!

The City of Gaithersburg annually invites artists to compete for the opportunity to exhibit in its various art venues.  Several of my art friends and I (aka ‘The 7 Palettes’) are delighted to have been selected to display 50 of our new works at the premier Kentlands Mansion, scene of weddings and other major events.  The exhibit will run almost three full months — from  June 17th through September 5.  Please bring friends and families to see our art and join us at a wine and cheese reception on Tuesday evening, June 21 from 7:00 to 8:30.
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