Sunday, February 20, 2022

Behind the Scenes of the Iceboat Paintings



Iceboat MaryEllen, gouache. The 50/50 isopropyl/water dilution stayed liquid at 15° F/-12°C, but caused some sedimentation in foreground, which helped in this case.


Reactivation test: cad yellow / ultra blue, overpainted with water. 


Iceboat Vixen, gouache over casein from a photo.



Early stage in painting with light passages only. Darks came later.


Gouache colors, plus one tube of watercolor: 
Titanium White (M. Graham Gouache)
Yellow Ochre (Winsor Newton Designers Gouache)
Cerulean Blue (M. Graham Gouache)
Indian Red (Holbein Watercolor)
Ultramarine Blue (Royal Talens Gouache)
You can combine gouache and watercolor.

These are from the new Gumroad tutorial video "5 Problems with Gouache and How to Solve Them." 

Thanks to all of you for contributing questions.
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5 comments:

  1. UnknownFebruary 20, 2022 at 2:30 PM

    This is Lynnwood :) In a traveling exhibit at Crystal Bridges Museum,I saw a set of 4 small abstract paintings by Picasso, gouache on paper, unvarnished,with that delicate matte finish.They were like exquisite jewels!

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  2. UnknownFebruary 20, 2022 at 2:55 PM

    Lynnwood here..that needed some editing! A bit precious... let's say they had a lovely jewel-like quality :)

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  3. A. DalyFebruary 20, 2022 at 3:55 PM

    Hi James, just got the new gouache video on gumroad and I love the continuation of the question and answer format. Very helpful for a medium that seems to be rarely taught at a high level online (though improving in the last few years!).

    A bit of a random topic but do you know of any N.C. Wyeth art books with good reproductions? I wish the same people who did the recent Dean Cornwell book could do one for Wyeth!

    Cheers,
    A. Daly

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  4. Kathy's Art BlogFebruary 23, 2022 at 1:32 PM

    I am really enjoying the gouache segments James and have purchased some of your Gouache in the Wild videos as well. I am curious about the pencil case lid converted to palette which you use. Can you tell me what kind of paint you used to spray onto the metal lid.
    I have the same lid and would love to try this. Did you use an enamel type of paint or just a good old tremclad type?Thanks for sharing all your experience.
    Kathy G

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  5. James GurneyFebruary 23, 2022 at 1:44 PM

    Thanks, Kathy, I used a spray on enamel primer, and it worked pretty well. I've also tried white lacquer. Seems to adhere pretty well and resist staining. If you find something that works better, please let me know.

    ReplyDelete

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