Gouache | the watercolour for oil painters
I recently came across this great article by Christopher Volpe on Inside Art about the medium called gouache, a water-based paint, like watercolour, that dries opaque, like acrylic or oil.
Having previously enjoyed using gouache during a plein air workshop run by Rod Moore in Noosa, QLD last year, I was delighted to discover the works of Mike Hernandez, one of numerous contemporary artists who make it their primary medium.
Mike Hernandez is a versatile artist with a wide range of skills and experiences in the art world. One of his notable areas of expertise is gouache painting, a technique that involves using opaque watercolors to create vibrant and vivid works of art.
As an instructor, he has taught gouache painting to many students and has developed a unique approach that emphasises the importance of observation, colour theory and technique. He believes that gouache painting is a versatile medium that can be used to create a wide variety of effects, from the bold and graphic to the subtle and delicate.
His gouache paintings often feature landscapes and cityscapes and he’s well known for his ability to capture the essence of a scene or subject with bold strokes and vibrant colours, conveying a sense of energy and movement.
I find his works to be truly inspiring, and it certainly shows that this medium is worth more than just being used for quick, rough studies / illustrations!
