The Landscape in Gouache

Gouache is a medium which has been in use for hundreds of years. In more recent times, it’s been a medium of choice for illustration because of its quick drying time, intense color and matte finish, all of which work well for reproduction, thus the term “Designer Gouache.” However, it has also been used by many fine artists, most notably Henri Matisse, who used gouache for his famous “cut-outs,” and was commonly used by other well known artists including Winslow Homer, Mark Rothko and Marc Chagall, and frequently combined with watercolor for opaque areas in a painting.

In this class, we will “discover” the versatility of gouache, focusing on the landscape as subject with the goal of making light filled paintings. We will familiarize ourselves with the characteristics of gouache, how it behaves (and misbehaves!) by mixing colors, trying different papers and simply have fun experimenting with this rewarding medium. We will work from your photos and other reference materials, and you’ll be encouraged to step outside the studio to try your hand at “plein air” around the campus of the WSA. Open to all levels, but some landscape painting/drawing experience would be helpful.

DAY 1 – Welcome, students & instructor mutual introductions, course outline explained. • About gouache: what is gouache; samples of instructor’s work, as well as work from historical and contemporary artists • Instructor demo • Exercises, creating color charts, getting the feel of the medium • Choosing subjects

DAYS 2 + 3 – Continued work, with individual feedback from instructor, demos as necessary • Plein air work on campus for those who would like to with instructor demo • Critique at end of each day • “Exhibit” of work from class on walls

Suitable for all levels; no experience necessary! Ages 16+

Friday – Sunday, November 3, 4, and 5, 2023 
9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Studio 1