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A few notes and thoughts on my process

 I have included footnotes - click on a highlighted word to learn more!

KEYWORDS

Placement, inward, do not overwork, removal, detail

WHAT IS GOUACHE?

“Designers Gouache Colors are a range of opaque watercolors, so called because they were developed for and continue to be mainly used by designers.  Gouache is however also used by fine artists as an opaque watercolor, or in combination with artist’ water color.

Winsor&Newton Designer Gouache is accepted today as the finest quality range available, with a wide color spectrum catering both for designers and fine artists.  In addition unsurpassed covering power is achieved by the high level of pigmentation and brilliance of color from the use of pure pigments.  In use the color’s even flow produces flat washes without streaking.”

-Winsor&Newton.com

Word to the wise:  If you are drinking coffee or a soda, make sure that you do not set it down near your water dish.

TOOLS

• Gouache colors:  ivory black, sepia, Prussian blue, cobalt turquoise (mix of Holbein and Winsor&Newton.)  
• BRUSHES:  Small synthetic round, and flat brushes (1 each), 2 small synthetic bright brushes, ½“ sable brush, ¾” synthetic stroke brush
• white water-soluble pencil (STABILO), a few water-soluble pencils in the same color palette
• matte spray fixative (Krylon)
• matte medium (Liquitex)
• Disposable palette.

PROCESS NOTES

• I realize that not only do I remove paint with the paper towel; I also soak it up with a dry brush.  This is good for more small detailed work.
• For the big negative spaces I use a brush that can hold more water.  This is my ½ “ sable. 
• Things that I overlook:  changing the water.  Why isn’t my paint moving?  Oh.
• I listen to a lot of music when I paint; I also put on movies that I have seen many times over.  I watch the movie in my head while I paint.
• My mind never stops when I paint-I see many outcomes to the piece.  As I work, I visualize past pieces and the process I used on them.

SPRAY FIXING

• HOW DO I KNOW WHEN I AM READY TO SPRAY-FIX?  When I begin to rework areas over and over, yet still achieving the same outcome, I know that I am just delaying this next step.  When I start glazing areas over with washes of color, this is also a sign that I am ready for the next step.   I forget that I can still do much detail work after the spray-fix, and it is usually the nit-pick details that take the longest time.
• SPRAY-FIXING TIP: before spraying the piece, spritz a couple times off to the side to get any clogs out of the way.  This will also indicate which way the wind is blowing, and you can adjust your stance so you won’t spray yourself.
• I like to use a matte spray fixative.  I find that in this process it does not matter if the fixative is “workable” or not, I just prefer the final look of the Krylon Workable Fixatif.  Spray the entirety of the piece a couple times over, using long and steady swoops.  Hold the can about 6”over the painting at an angle-if you hold it too close then a heavier layer will saturate the painting and it is apt to crack or create a milky film upon drying.  (Both have happened to me before, and I have still completed the pieces by use of glazes.  If this happens it is more work to cover that up.)  When you spray-the pigment does darken and the contrast between the lights and darks is enhanced, however it will be consistent throughout.  Some folks prefer the look of the paint without the spray-fix, however the painting will be very monochromatic and a little more “flat”.
• It only takes a couple minutes for the spray-fix to dry.  Test the paint to see if it still lifts.  If it does then just apply more coats.

GLAZING

“Acrylic matte medium:  water resistance can be achieved by adding small amounts of acrylic matte medium.  Care should be taken however, as some colors can react.  The pinks and violets in Designers’ Gouache can have a tendency to change color on combination with acrylic.  Some other Designers’ Gouache colors may be sensitive to alkali and produce gelatinous or lumpy mixtures.  The addition of the medium will also deepen the…so experiment on the palette first.”

 –Winsor&Newton.com

·        The acrylic matte medium is milky in color but dries clear.  I use this to create glaze upon glaze throughout the painting.  I use this to create glow effects, enhance shadows, and to push the depth in the background.