Playing with gouache

I was chatting with friends on Vivify, and I had no plans to draw or paint, but I grabbed a little sketchbook, three tubes of gouache and I made another little pattern, like the one I had done earlier, but in a completely different colour scheme. I'm not sure what the pinky purple colour is, but that's alright. I have so many tubes of gouache, plus I'm not a neat mixer, so the wells in my gouache palette are a bit dirty. It might be primary magenta (mixed with whatever was on my brush) or it might be peony.

 

Inspired by nature

Inspired by some photos I took on my walk this morning. Nothing fancy, just plants in other people's gardens. I painted this a little bigger than my previous attempts, so I didn't have to be so delicate in how I applied paint.

 

Just a little pattern

Just changed the red to an opera pink (quite fluo) for a different triad. I tried a more delicate pattern, but it didn't work, so I ended up with this. I must try to paint bigger squares and see how the patterns work out then.  This is all I did in my full session with Shelley. I normally paint a half sheet when we're chatting!

Gouache + acrylic markers (and a little stamp)

Apart from one (which was a disaster), it was fun to use acrylic markers on top of gouache. First I did a weird triad with a flesh colour, a bright green and a grey blue. It created interesting backgrounds. First I used one of my hand-cut stamps (which I did years ago, when I was into Gelli printing), then I tried some Posca and Molotow markers, then Arrtx. All were fun. You sometimes have to use two layers, as the markers pick up some of the gouache.

I'm not firing on all cylinders this week, so these little swatches are a great way to explore colours and patterns, and learn more about gouache. I just wouldn't have the energy for a big watercolour. Plus the weather is awful outside!

Pattern inspiration

I'm seeing patterns everywhere now. What I was looking at today was nature and Japanese papers. The one thing I'm realising, though, is that I don't have a delicate touch. I will never be a botanical artist. And working in gouache is particularly tricky for me, as I struggle with consistency and understanding how much material is on my brush, generally leading to big blobs of paint. I tried to paint a ginko leaf. It was clunky. I also tried a Japanese arrow pattern - I got so lost in it! The good thing with gouache, though, is that you can paint over it. Still, it's a perfect way to stay in touch with art while I'm feeling under the weather (again!). I don't think I could tackle a quarter sheet watercolour landscape right now, so little gouache squares with patterns it is. I wonder if I can apply acrylic markers on top, or will the gouache lift? Well, I guess I'll have to try!

The colour wheel is in a relatively smooth Hahnemuhle sketchbook and the little squares are on basic cartridge paper

Patterns!

A fun course about patterns on Vivify, with Amanda Close. Now I see patterns everywhere!

Back in Ireland. Sketching near the Pepper Cannister

A bit of a shock to the system to come back to winter in Dublin. But an afternoon of sketching helped!

Sketching in Mumbai - Transit sketches

A few sketches done while waiting for our flights. Not half as exciting as the streets of Mumbai!

Sketching in Mumbai - Faith Walk guided tour

The workshop I attended in Mumbai had a nice mix of sketching instruction, practise and full immersion in the life of the city - we tried many different types of food, and we also had some guides that told us about the history and heritage of Mumbai. For this particular guided tour, the Faith Walk, we learned about the many religions that thrive in Mumbai. We brought our small sketchbooks and drew a little bit of what we saw. I drew with my pen and a grey marker. I added colour afterwards.

And also, Republic Day was coming up, and I love it that the India flag has the same colours as the Irish flag!

 

Sketching in Mumbai - Day 9 - Sketching in the community

Last day of sketching with our wonderful teachers and fellow-students. We spent the morning in a quiet community, where everyone made us feel welcome. Then we were invited to Zainab's home for a bite to eat, chai and a review of our work. Then a farewell dinner. A great finish to a great workshop.

Sketching in Mumbai - Day 8 - Worli Koliwada (Fishermens' village)

It was wonderful to discover the alleyways of Worli Koliwada. They were so narrow that we were split into 3 groups, each with our own local guide and minder.  We were on a treasure hunt to find all sorts of elements telling the story of this very special place. And when we were done, we were treated to a performance by a local rapper, accompanied on a drum by his grandson, followed by a lovely lunch.

PS: we were supposed to capture vignettes with minimum supplies, but more colour pencils appeared in my hand as the morning went.

Sketching in Mumbai - Day 7 - Chor Bazaar

Sketching at Chor Bazaar. You can buy a tennis racket, parts for your car, a suitcase, an old stereo, or fancy furniture. Thumbnails first, followed by a longer sketch. Was glad of my matcha latte and salad at Kala Ghoda Café afterwards.

 

Sketching in Mumbai - Day 6 - Quick sketches in the city

Then in the afternoon, we had an optional sketch session, with half-hour sketches at the GPO and the CSMT station. Pure adrenaline sketching! 

Sketching in Mumbai - Day 6 (Day 5 was a rest day) - Old Man's Hamlet

The Sunday was a rest day. Did a bit of shopping at Cotton Cottage, window shopping in a fancy shop, had lunch at the Copper Chimney, then did a heritage tour of the hotel. Tried to rest, but the noise outside was a lot, as it was a holiday weekend. There were marching bands playing at the Gateway. All a bit mad!

The following day, the 26th January, was Republic Day. And a dry day. Even more crowds at the Gateway and in the hotel, as it serves alcohol even on dry days!

We went sketching at the Old Man's Hamlet, a peaceful community away from the noise and chaos. Teh brief was to follow the line!