Development of one Gouache Painting Step By Step

This post is a description of the working stages of the gouache painting “Sculptures in Painting 04”. The painting is made with a brush on watercolor paper.

Gouache is a water-based paint that is similar to watercolor, but with a higher pigment concentration, resulting in a more opaque and matte finish. It is a popular choice for artists and illustrators due to its versatility and ability to be layered, blended, and reactivated with water even after it has dried.

I painted on 300 g Fabriano paper. In the works of this series of paintings, I present reduced sculptural forms in the context of abstract painting. Gouache was a good choice to carry out this work, as it produces flat surfaces which, however, vary somewhat depending on the amount of water used. Some of the work steps take the work to completion, while others are experiments that I have to replace with better choices at a later stage of the work.

I painted a large red area first. Paper is 56 x 76 cm Fabriano 300g, rough.

Preliminary shades of gray in the background

Smaller areas, first bright blue

Yellow and light orange

Shade of gray-green in the background

I cover the last white surfaces with dark gray and light green

I change from light green to dark gray

Changing the background to light gray

I change the foreground yellows to dark blue

I also change the small yellow color areas to dark blue

Minor color adjustments and painting is complete

The name of the painting is Sculptures in Painting 04. See the full Sculptures in Painting series. See also 8 Sculptures and Paintings of Sculptures – series

Gouache paints come in tubes and can be mixed with water to create different consistencies and shades.
You can also mix in white gouache to create lighter tones
Gouache can be applied with brushes, sponges, or palette knives to create different textures and effects
Gouache can be mixed with other mediums such as watercolor, acrylic paint, or ink to create unique effects and textures in your artwork
Once your gouache painting is complete, you can apply a varnish or fixative to protect it and add a glossy finish
You can also use masking fluid to create sharp edges and details in your painting.
Gouache paintings should be stored in a dry, cool place to prevent the colors from fading over time

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