I was off work today while my kids were in school for the morning so, with some bonus free time, I grabbed the opportunity to do some art. I had not found time to play with the supplies in my November Art Snacks box so I got those and my art journal and set to work. The Liquitex acrylic gouache I received was in a deep turquoise colour, one of my favourite colours, and I let that inform the subject matter as I thought the colour would suit an illustration of the Statue of Liberty. I didn’t want to try and draw the actual sculpture, however, so I drew my version of the iconic figure, changing her pose, hair, and face, but leaving enough elements for the subject to be obvious. I have not used gouache much generally and have never used acrylic gouache so this piece was a big experiment in media for me. I liked that I could use it thick on the crown but that diluted down it behaved a bit more like watercolour, which is how I used it on the body of the figure. I even managed to get some watercolour-like pigment blooms going. Gouache and I never got on well in the past, which is why I have barely used it, but I may have to give it another go.
A Pict in PA 
Great drawing!
Thank you. Sometimes I feel like I do better when I dash something off. This whole page took me under 30 minutes from start to finish.
Love your interpretation of Lady Liberty.
Thank you!
Great work. I have never use this but may have to think about it.
I had such a hard time with gouache many moons ago that I really would not have tried it again had I not received this product in the subscription box. I am impressed with it. I think it might prove to be a very versatile product.
Great representation of Ms. Liberty! Happy Thanksgiving.
Thank you. Happy Thanksgiving to you too.
I especially like the gesture of the torch-holding arm. And as for fast work being better work I find the same thing. If I second guess in my process it always seems to lead to fussiness or ruining what was free and fresh.
Thanks, Claudia. I think I learned this about myself through life drawing. I would churn out two or three drawings during a pose to everyone else’s one because I’d ruin a drawing if I spent too much time on it.
I think this is why I like to have more than one artwork to work on at one time, it cuts down on the problem of too much attention paid to any one of them.
She’s beautiful! A younger, more flighty version. And that is one of my favourite colours too (I notice you still write favourite!)
Thanks, Anabel. Yes, my vocabulary and spelling haven’t altered in the 5 years I’ve been in the US. I have to consciously adopt both to Americanize myself when required.
I love your style so much. It’s just perfect. Your art always makes me happy!
Thank you so much! Making someone happy is the best compliment.
Good job on the artwork! And congrats for trying a new media!! I have caught the “gouache bug” – only I prefer the artist’s gouache to the acrylic gouache. The artist’s gouache are more permanent, lightfast and easier to work with I think. They’re more like watercolors or inks.
I think I might buy some gouache with my (very modest) Christmas bonus this year.
Oh go for it!! I’d bet that gouache will fit very nicely with your artistic style. It definitely suits my “short burst” working methodology – and may suit yours? Btw: when the gouache dries on the palette I still use it – but more like I use the dried watercolor cakes. Gouache is very versatile. All the best to you!
Interesting. I expected dry gouache to be unusable.
It’s very useable! Similar to but different than cake watercolors. I use a combo of the wet gouache and dry gouache techniques. When I decide I need a wet color I just smoosh a fresh bit out of the tube and onto the palette space where that color is dry. I use one of the small Masterson Stay-Wet palettes. The Stay-Wet palette lets me smoosh out fresh wet, use it a while, spritz it with a water mister, cover the palette and go to lunch. Then after lunch the gouache is still wet and ready to use. Even the next day it’s quite useable, still wet-ish. But even when it dries completely – still quite useable – and easily re-wetted in the palette.
Funnily enough, I’ve been contemplating a stay wet palette too for when I come into a spot of disposable money. I have a porcelain palette at present but a) it’s too small and b) my cats broke it a bit, leaving a sharp edge.
I’ve used an old plastic Tupperware/food-keeper with lid as a palette before. Have also used as painting palettes: aluminum pie pans, spare dinner plates and an old frisbee. 😉 The Masterson Stay wet palette works the best. Lol!
I’ll have to pick your brains about qualities to look for, brands etc if I decide to buy some gouache.
Here’s what I get: Holbien Artist’s Gouache. It’s NOT the Acryla Gouache! I began my gouache adventures with a starter set: https://www.dickblick.com/products/holbein-artists-gouache-sets/ that had only 5 colors: a red, a yellow, a blue, black and white. That sufficed for quite a time. The 5 tube set cost me around $24. dollars as I recall. The best prices especially for individual colors I’ve found are at: http://www.artistcraftsman.com/holbein-artists-gouache.html?___SID=U
Thank you so much! I appreciate benefiting from the wisdom of your experience.
Delighted to get to share with you! And thank you for sharing the creative life adventure with me!
Oh. And when I get the individual artist gouache colors I look for “series A” and either a 2 star or 3 star for color permanence.
Thank you!
You’re so welcome! Always glad to aid and abet a fellow artist! 😉
I’m in love with the drawing @Laura
Thank you so much, Derrick!
I’m in love with the painting! 😍
Thank you!
My pleasure…Looking forward for more Laura
Very nice work! I love how you let the medium determine your subject matter. I should be getting my first shipment of Sketchbox any day now… a little less nervous about how to use the supplies now. Thank you!
My only advice is to just dive in and experiment. That’s how I’ve figured out how to make the supplies work for me.
Pingback: 7 Day Sketchbox Drawing Challenge January 2019 - Art by Ro