Faces In Gouache: Daily Art Practice
Couch Talk
Today was the last day of school for our district and two out of my three children were sad to see it end. My daughter cried all the way home from the bus stop because she missed her friends and teacher. Not one hour later she was dancing around the house, all hyped and excited to start the coming school year and meet her new teacher. How quickly a 7-year old’s mood can change!
As we work out a summer routine, I again have high hopes of days full of reading books, making art and drinking tea, while my children are busily occupied around me, not needing my attention. Am I am crazy? I know I am, but a girl can hope.
Isn’t this pot pretty? I found it at Walmart. My Thanksgiving cactus doesn’t look so hot, but I am hoping a new pot and soil might encourage it to bloom this year. Again, high hopes.
Daily Art Practice
I recently joined in a online workshop, hosted by Gayle Kabaker and Jennifer Orkin Lewis. Here is my painting based off Jennifer’s. I have two different sets of gouache but I don’t know how to use them, so this was a great workshop to get acquainted with the medium and learn from professionals. Jennifer uses acrylic based gouache but mine is water based so it doesn’t go on as thick.
The second lesson was by Gayle and her style is very different than Jennifer’s. I liked how she focused more on the face and shadows, whereas Jennifer focused on flowers.
After the lesson, I was inspired to continue experimenting and I started another face. I can’t tell you how many times I painted over this face, I guess that is one of the perks of gouache. I started by using my new EcoLine Brush Pen set Pastel but I didn’t like the way the markers left lines on the face so I covered it in gouache.
Tea Day
I am joining the Tea Day ladies, hosted by Elizabeth and Bleubeard. My tea today is Earl Gray and this is one of my favorite teacups that I purchased a while ago at an antique mall. I am working through Liz Steel’s Teacup class and I am super excited to paint my small teacup collection, including this one.
Happy Tea Day,
Kate
Good luck with your children being so happy that they will let you work in peace! Sounds difficult. Your faces look very nice this week. And your antique tea cup always reminds me of the ones my aunt received as wedding presents. I think they were made in Czechoslovakia in the 1920s when she got married. There were plates with indentations for the cups, that were larger than saucers, as you were supposed to have space for a cookie or some other snack along with the tea. (I think I have mentioned this every time you post a picture of that pretty cup).
best, mae at maefood.blogspot.com
So much beauty! The second face is my fav, but all three are great. And that cup…. look forward to see it painted! Have a happy T-Day.
Kate I love the glass T pot and your new ceramic plant pot, our GSs finished school last friday, they are both happy to be on holiday. Beautiful paintings too
Happy T Day Jan S
Love the pot from Walmart – looks handmade. Summer dreams – always so much possibility…..
Great art – I have some gouache, but have never really figured it out well. I just use it like watercolor which is all wrong, I know. Great colors and shadows in your art. I know you will master this medium soon.
Great looking tea and cup. I love the thought of painting your tea cups – I can’t wait to see what you do.
Happy t-day and hugz!
Hi Kate, enjo the summer break, hopefull with lots of time for yourself! Love the faces, glad you are enjoying courses. I will be joining in the Kaleidoscope taster course from the middle of june, and hope to get at least some of it done. Hapy T Day, hugs, Valerie
Hi Kate, wishing you lots of free time to read and paint over the summer, and happy children being similarly occupied! I have been getting back into gouache again and there is definitely a difference between the cheaper brands and the good ones. Last year I got a big set of cheap gouache for free and was really excited by it because of all the colours but it’s not as good as the Winsor & Newton Designer Gouache of which I only have a few tubes. Love your little cups and your teapot. Happy T Day! Elle/EOTC xx
Tried to leave a comment and your site thinks I’m a robot AGAIN.
All your faces look very different and I like that about them – and all three are beautiful. I have never worked with gouache, only watercolors, and not very well either. I admire that you always try things out. I hope you will have time over the summer for reading, making art, and drinking tea.
Already school holidays! Time flies.
Great to see your plant/cactus in a beautiful pot.
Lovely art too.
Happy T-Day,
Hugs,
Lisca
The faces you painted are so expressive. Earl Grey is my favorite blend of tea. Your teacup is so adorable. Have fun with the kidles as you work out your Summer schedule. Happy T Day
My what a gorgeous pot Kate! The worst thing you can do is overwater a cactus like that… You need some very light , fast drying soil.. Happy t day! Hugs! deb
Dear Kate, It’s true, children’s moods can sometimes change very quickly – it’s a good thing that your daughter isn’t sad anymore. I can’t remember ever feeling sad at the end of a school year – school was never my world and neither was it the world of my daughter…
Your gouache paintings are absolutely mesmerizing and radiant! And I also like the cactus-pot.
Happy belated T-day!
All the best and have a nice month of June 🌻🐝🦋!
Traude