5 PROBLEMS WITH GOUACHE | And How to Solve Them

​​​​The full 93 minute tutorial video is available from Gumroad: gurneyjourney....
Gouache presents at least five difficulties: it freezes, it dries fast, it reactivates, it looks chalky, and it shifts values when it dries. James Gurney faces each of these challenges, answering viewer questions as he paints Hudson River iceboats, and charts the properties of gouache, casein, and acrylic.
SUPPLIES: PAINT COLORS ("Mary Ellen" Iceboat Painting)
Cerulean blue: amzn.to/2NtFH0E
Ultramarine blue: amzn.to/2X9GZ1k
Raw sienna: amzn.to/2PycXm8
Transparent orange oxide: amzn.to/3lHghLn
Titanium white: amzn.to/2XSOld4
PAINT COLORS (Second "Vixen" Iceboat painting)
Titanium White (M. Graham Gouache): amzn.to/2XSOld4
Yellow Ochre (Winsor Newton Designers Gouache): amzn.to/3HWJ1IQ
Cerulean Blue (M. Graham Gouache): amzn.to/2NtFH0E
Indian Red (Holbein Watercolor): amzn.to/3LCsegt
Ultramarine Blue (Royal Talens Gouache): amzn.to/3v55dfY
MEDIUMS and VARNISHES:
Gum arabic: amzn.to/3t6W18D
Glycerin: amzn.to/353MN4D
Isopropyl alcohol: amzn.to/3LGEgW8
Watercolor blending / retarding medium: amzn.to/3v0xmVC
Water cup: amzn.to/2soTw2L
Workable fixative (matte): amzn.to/2VDSKPc
Krylon Kamar gloss finish: amzn.to/2zstSNA
Blair Spray Clear: amzn.to/34Mu79C
Liquitex gloss varnish: amzn.to/3uVkXlI
SURFACES:
Pentalic Aqua Journal: amzn.to/2L989y2
Cold Press Illustration Board: amzn.to/3oURPra
Bristol board: amzn.to/3GR1chC
Arches cold press watercolor Paper, 140 lb: amzn.to/3sIlW6a
BRUSHES:
Brush: Filbert ½ inch watercolor synthetic: amzn.to/3CqTZT9
1” flat soft synthetic brush: amzn.to/3LAsJr8
Rigger brush (synthetic #3) amzn.to/3AJoW4i
Richeson travel brush set: amzn.to/2xwq1Rr
Grey Matters brush set: amzn.to/2YeNO0P
GOUACHE SETS:
Shinhan Pass watercolor set: amzn.to/3gUDDKc
Royal Talens Mixing Colors: amzn.to/3v55dfY
Arteza setL amzn.to/3HZUyaj
Himi Jelly Gouache: amzn.to/3BtSK6W
Richeson casein set: amzn.to/2Huk4u3
M. Graham gouache primary set: amzn.to/2Zwd6rt
Winsor & Newton gouache primary set: amzn.to/2JiDMbo
MORE PRODUCTS:
Hand Warmers: amzn.to/3oWvnh7
Stabilo Carb-O-Thello pencils: amzn.to/357nwqd
Water cup: amzn.to/2soTw2L
Tripod: amzn.to/2xrRaFc
Nupastel set: amzn.to/31SvVt4
RELATED KZbin VIDEOS:
Painting A Winter Pond in Gouache: • Painting a Winter Pond...
Painting from a Parked Car: • Paint a Winter Streets...
Painting a Photo-Real Streetscape on Location: • Paint a Photo-Real Str...
Sacrificing Detail for a Moody Light Effect: • Sacrificing Detail for...
VIDEO TUTORIALS
"Gouache in the Wild" (Download on Gumroad): gumroad.com/l/...
"Gouache in the Wild" on (DVD): jamesgurney.co...
“Casein Painting in the Wild” (Download on Gumroad): gumroad.com/l/...
How to Make a Sketch Easel: jamesgurney.co...
"Gouache in the Wild" : jamesgurney.co...
"GRADIENTS: Color, Form, Illusion." jamesgurney.co...
CAMERAS and AUDIO
Pocket camera (Canon SX620): amzn.to/3lIbtVW
Stereo mics/recorders (Rode Wireless Go II): amzn.to/3mVsMSP
Stereo recorder (Zoom H2n): amzn.to/3aFjCUP
Tripod: amzn.to/2xrRaFc
BOOKS BY JAMES GURNEY:
Color and Light: A Guide for Realist Painters: jamesgurney.co...
Imaginative Realism: How to Paint What Doesn’t Exist: jamesgurney.co...
Dinotopia: A Land Apart from Time: jamesgurney.co...
OTHER OFFICIAL SITES
Instagram: / jamesgurneyart
Pinterest: / gurneyjourney
GurneyJourney Blog: gurneyjourney.b...
JamesGurney Website: jamesgurney.com/
Facebook group "Sketch Easel Builders": / 403006076777641
Facebook group "Color in Practice": / 160510955315435
Thanks to the Hudson River Ice Yacht Club: www.hriyc.org/
Reed Bielenberg, John Sperr, Chris Kendall, and Bob Wills
Music by Kevin MacLeod: incompetech.co...
Some of the links above are affiliate links, for which I make a small commission at no cost to you.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

This was fabulous! I just watched the whole thing and loved every minute of it. It never occured to me to varnish gouache. Can't wait to get my paint out! Thanks!

[@gabrielbruce1977]

RIGHT?! I was protecting my pieces with beeswax, I never thought varnish was even an option.

[@frannyca]

Thank you, excellent ideas!

[@rocifier]

I experimented with damar varnish and it worked great, didn't smudge the gouache in the slightest even while brushing it on with repeated motions

[@kerriefearby9542]

I always use an acrylic spray varnish over gouache

[@belle42]

James, I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoy watching your videos. You do such a professional presentation yet make us feel at ease with your down to earth subject matter and "on the spot" demos. What a privilege to be able to glean from your knowledge, experience and skills. In this videos we had a history lesson and shared life experience as you took so much of your time to answer a plethora of questions from your viewers! Your art work will live as a legacy. But, also we are all a little better from hearing your great stories and quirky take on life. Thank you. Colleen Seattle, WA

[@evetteurbino]

Wow! What a great "discussion" about gouache. I really enjoyed all the questions and answers. I enjoyed your painting, and I bet it was a lot of fun taking a ride on that iceboat! Thank you so much for this tutorial and for answering all the questions. 👏🏻

[@mountaintownnaturalist2646]

Hoping you’ll address questions about pan gouache (worth the problems? How to activate?) and gouache brushes (synthetic better than natural)

[@HondoTrailside]

It depends on the style, natural is best for large wetting, and in the case of the best detail brushes. James gets around expense by painting small. On some of his paintings he has done a big wash with a utility pack Michaels brush. It carries enough water for a 5x7 where one would prefer a 150 dollar mop when doing a 24x36 When using straight gouache, you can use brushes that one would use for acrylic. For those the Black/Silver brushes are good and only cost about 2-3 dollars. Synthetic is good, he has used this travel set I bought because he used it. But the thing is often he has a dead cheap dollar store brush in the holder that has replaced one of the 8 dollar brushes that comes with the set. That was the Richeson Watermedia Plein air pocket set. But if you want to spend that kind of money, look into the Rosemary Brushes from the UK. Easy to order and regarded as top of the line. James will use a rigger for detail, and they can be cheap, and that avoids the cost of sable. And he will use paint pens, water colour pencils, etc... Also for detail.

[@farben_]

Never heard that Talens had a special binder and I have been using them for years, Talens does have an opacifier added to the paints which I do like.

[@DannySabraArt]

Very excited to see the full tutorial on gumroad, I have often run into issues with the gouache reactivating. Usually I get around it by either using thicker gouache on top of thinner applications, or I run off the lower layer or I just use a light touch. Cant wait to see the full thing! 👍

[@stevekobb3850]

Another great video, James. For those who asked about gouache-to-water ratios, this easy-to-remember classification system may be helpful: Tea Coffee Milk Cream Butter. Keep that in mind as you add water to the paint. It will help you decide what you really want.

[@svetlanaproskurovska6795]

Thank you, James! Very informative and enjoyable to watch your programs.

[@michelletulumello661]

Oh wow! I LOVE iceboats!! I live in upstate NY and have been wanting to watch iceboats forever.

[@JasonChalker1]

Great video! I really love your work. For what it's worth... as far as varnishes go, I've had very good luck with Montana spray paint Matte Varnish.

[@FeralEcho]

Thanks for sharing all this, tons of useful information and a lot of work on your end so it’s much appreciated.

[@chinchillamdgamer]

Im 30 seconds in and I'm like yes...yess YESSS, EXACTLY! HOW DID YOU KNOOOW? And here I was thinking i was just silly when i ran into this issues and I've seen so many KZbinrs use this so easily.

[@yvonnevanoni-peterson254]

Thank you!! Just getting started in gouache. Answered questions I didn't know to ask:)

[@allluckyseven]

I simply LOVE those silhouetted figures on the right of the painting.

[@davidp5981]

Great Video James.

[@dustanddeath3985]

The Himi gouaches rule, I absolutely love them. High enough pigment load that I no longer fuss with cheap gouache from Michaels!

[@viktro546]

Hour long James Gurney video? Is it my birthday already?

[@sprucehouse9]

Thanks so much for another valuable video! I've added the Gumroad video to my "Gurney Library". I'm going to check out some more of the Mentzel gouache paintings - he really did some amazing work in all media.

[@nerfherder4284]

I would just like you to know, James, how appreciative I am for your videos. It really is like a free college level class, with no pressure to be graded. Your style and generosity beyond the painting is top notch. Thanks! ...funny side note: bread is still used on major art restorations the world around.

[@learf11]

Sorry I missed the live! But grateful for all the answers/advice, and all your other videos as always!

[@P-A-X-]

Wax is a good way to protect gouache painting? I saw some Italian artists doing so. Put purified paste wax with a brush and then do (or not depending on preference) polish it with a woolen cloth. I have to say the result looks great, the dark and all the colors get intensified but not as reflecting effect as for some sprays on the market.

[@Yenrabbit]

Lovely video James thank you :)

[@miquelmendez5465]

Very informative, thank you.

[@punnu5997]

If I had seen your videos before my college, I would have listened to my heart and had applied of Bachelor of arts degree rather than Business Administration that I currently have. you videos have shown me what real painting is. Now I work in business but may be someday when I retire I would have time to start painting again.

[@nmlss]

James Gurney is so cool that he made videos for KZbin… back in 2002! Before KZbin was even invented!!

[@krishnandamooduto9202]

Amazing… thankyouuu

[@gabrielbruce1977]

"Gouache can be expensive!" Oh ain't this the truth. I rely on the Holbein 18 set and it sets me back about $200 every time I run dry. Arteza isn't available in Canada, Artist's Loft grows mold if you keep it damp, and Windsor & Newton is $30 a tube. I may have to try the Angora, though!

[@Adriano-do-Couto-Illustration]

James, you set too high a standard for all of the other youtube artists, damn.

[@carmelorodriguezlemes2864]

Very very nice 👍👍👍

[@HgoArt]

One more vídeo for my collection! Gouache is my favorite medium, I love it's versatility.

[@ascabritasfalando]

Hi Jamie! I'm Brazilian, gostaria de saber qual tripé você usa para gravar os vídeos? Nice work! Thanks so much!

[@JamesGurney]

Cabritas, uso um "Amazon Basics" e um tripé Velbon, que usam o mesmo suporte de montagem quadrado. (I use an "Amazon Basics" and a Velbon tripod, which use the same square mounting bracket).

[@ascabritasfalando]

@@JamesGurney Thanks for attention!

[@maybee...]

Painting with vodka, now we're talking! 😄

[@Fox420X]

you can clean your paint brushes with a plant based soap

[@janaemerson3344]

Hi there How did you get the sky to glow? I can’t seem to get that effect. It dries so chalky. Your sky looks So good I can’t seem to get that effect

[@natford8271]

I’d love to see how gel gouache like Himi work in freezing temperatures.

[@Fox420X]

I never put my paints away!

[@XtianApi]

How do you make the tubes levitate to your finger when your pointing at them.

[@garymcguire8529]

....and six it is not perfect, and like all mediums is has its pros and cons. In the words of Mr Spock" The needs of the many, out weight the needs of the few", and gouache has few, when compared to acrylic and oil.

[@desotopete]

Apparently I have been drinking my paint medium (vodka).

[@tDOTbagger]

Okay is anybody else going to address the paints coming to damn life and floating around at 7:57 ?!

[@SiningniSing]

Am so excited for this. I haven't been able to paint for about two months. This will help me get back on track.

[@pebblesthecat3625]

*Mr Gurney* Over 2 years ago, I commented on one of your video's, asking if you would write the diffinitive guide to gouache. The comment got about 19 responses from people, all saying they would buy it, pre order it, queue all night to get it etc. It got roughly 550 likes 👍 as everyone thought it a fantastic idea and wanted you to write this book. You said you would consider it. I was just wondering since we've all had a 6 month time out from the world, if you had thought any more on the suggestion, even possibly started writing it ?

[@JamesGurney]

Thanks for asking. In spare moments I've been writing an outline for it. A few basic concepts for the book have changed, and I think it keeps getting better, but it's still a ways off.

[@pebblesthecat3625]

@@JamesGurney That's great news ! I don't think anyone who watches your videos will care how long it takes to write because we all know it's going to be brilliantly written, easily understandable, be exquisitely illustrated throughout, and be completely comprehensive on the subject. In other words - utterly fabulous !

[@danielle_4.34]

Hi Mr. Gurney, that's great news! Looking foward to it. Good luck with everything, may God bless you, Sir. Wishing you peace and joy with Him. Thanks for all you're giving us by sharing your thought process etc. while painting. It helps so much!

[@SharonCullenArt]

Excellent video! One thing I do for my gouache is put a dop or two of clove oil in each well to prevent mold, and also use a few drops of gum Arabic rather than glycerin to keep my gouache softer longer in the palette. I use the small sealable palette. I took a 5 month break from my gouache and when I opened the palette not one bit of mold and the gouache was still soft but was just beginning to dry on the top. A few sprays of water and a toothpick to stir and. I was back at it again. And for the person asking about white gouache, after much trial and error with different brands I find that M. Graham white gouache is the most opaque. Also for final touches of white, the Dr Ph Martin’s bleedproof white ink is fully opaque and makes beautiful white areas. I do not use it to mix with gouache though. I will use this more with watercolor only because I have the white gouache out when painting with gouache. It is just a convenience thing. Also when putting successive layers on I use a bit less water with each subsequent layer if I don’t want mixing.

[@JamesGurney]

Thanks for detailing those helpful tips, Sharon.

[@ArtofLuba]

Interesting comments in the video. I saw someone commenting about the chalkiness after drying vs watercolour. Gouache is an exceptional medium for scanning and/or artwork photography, to be turned into commercial art prints. No glare, and it can be touched up and contrast added in post-production Photoshop editing. Superior medium for reproduction!

[@JamesGurney]

Yes, the "no-glare" quality of the matte surface makes it much easier to photograph, as anyone who shoots highly varnished artwork well knows. Plus if you're shooting art into a digital file, you can always restore the contrast with Levels in Photoshop.

[@lisastewart4991]

Good owning. 4.00am here in Melbourne. 😵‍💫 Not missing this one though.

[@artscience9981]

I started using gouache in my plein air painting because of your videos, James. I have encountered pretty much all of these problems. Thanks so much for your generosity in sharing all these solutions, and for the creativity with which you mix real life experience in with the painting instruction!

[@allysonberry8708]

Not only did I learn a whole lot about gouache, I also learned a whole lot about ice sailing. Very informative video. Thanks for sharing!

[@chantillycat5415]

Gouache problem solving?! Definitely will be worth the wait. In the meantime I'll read the Believable Make-Believe article that arrived in the mailbox yesterday. :)

[@lisastewart4991]

Thanks so much. Fantastic video. You’re incredibly generous with you knowledge.💐 Will be getting the full version for sure!

[@paragozar]

No one else will rig up paint tubes on a stick with puppeteers behind a board to lift them up. Is that style?

[@tthomas184]

I was wondering how he did that! Thanks for explaining.

[@farben_]

You can mix gum arabic and the gouache paints will dry glossy, you can also use gum arabic to mask an area of gouache and then paint over without disrupting the other layers, you can with Holbein gum arabic not sure with other brands.

[@DannySabraArt]

Thats a great tip! i'll have to try this

[@farben_]

@@DannySabraArt The surface will be mirror like so it may not be for everyone but for people that don't like the chalky finish of traditional gouache they don't have to mix or use acrylic mediums. Holbein Gum Arabic is a bit weird, I would recommend trying other brands that mix better, it makes gouache feel like oils, Holbein's is too gummy but seals enough that you can layer without disrupting the paint underneath, just don't mix water with the gum arabic.

[@DannySabraArt]

@@farben_ good to know. I actually like the matte finish but have sometimes wanted to mitigate the lifting and resetting that gouache does. I’ve thought about trying acylic gouache or just using matte medium mixed, especially with under layers. I could see it as a part of your process but also I sometimes question why we’re trying to get the paint to do something it’s not designed to do. Maybe just painting in acrylics would be better at a certain point lol

[@farben_]

@@DannySabraArt Matte medium has a sheen once it dries, it's not matte like gouache as I tried it too for that same reason and was surprised to find it's not actually matte. Acrylic gouache is great, you can paint a layer with acrylic gouache then the top layer with traditional gouache, I've done it and can say that it works. Acrylics didn't work, it rejects the gouache, I tried it with Liquitex soft body acrylics. Airbrush medium by Liquitex is something that can be mixed with traditional gouache and it will behave like traditional gouache once wet and once it dries is completely waterproof, it dries flat, this in my opinion is the best medium for gouache.

[@DannySabraArt]

@@farben_ thanks for the tip! I will have to try it. I suppose this is maybe why Gurney also recommends Casein although I haven’t had as much luck with it. It’s a lot more stiff and difficult to get the right consistency.

[@SaschaBiermanns]

Thanke for the wonderful livestream yesterday. It was very enlightning! In the stream, the question came up, which pigments are used in the Caran d'Ache Gouache Set. Here is a list of them, in the order of the colors from top left to bottom right: - PY3 (cool yellow) - PY1 (warm yellow) - PR4 (warm red) - PR23, PR170 (cool red) - PR81:1, PV2 (magenta) - PR101, PBk7 (burnt umbra) - PY42 (yellow ochre) - PY3, PG7 (sap green) - PG7, PY3 (forest green) - PG7, PB15:3 (turquoise) - PB15:3 (cyan blue) - PB29 (ultramarine blue) - PW6, PB15, PBk7 (neutral grey) - PBk7 (black) The tube white is PW6. Another hint: if you use an air tight palette, like I do, squeeze out some tube gouache into it, use some drops of honey on every color, mix the honey into the color, give some drops of destilled water on top and close the air tight palette. Now you can use the gouache from the sealed palette and the gouache shouldn't crack anymore (tested with Winsor&Newton Designers Gouache, Schmincke Horadam Gouache and Royal Talens extra fine Gouache). It should be fresh for one or more weeks, you can add again some drops of destilled water once every week to keep it fresh and useable anytime. And if you want to tweek your mixing palette outside, use a stay wet palette. It keeps your Gouache fresh and rewetable for a long time. The same hint with watering the stay wet palette once a week with some drops of destilled water works for it too.

[@JamesGurney]

Thanks for that info, Sascha

[@utube1928]

Would glycerine do the same thing? I am concerned about mold as I had that issue with some watercolors that included honey. I guess the follow up to that is how do you keep it from molding? I have used Schminke Hordam Gouache and their Designers Gouache as well as W&N Designers (old school) Gouache -- Your thoughts on Caran d'Ache Gouache vs Schminke Hordam Gouache? I really like the Schminke brand products in general.

[@cosyloft]

Will kgell mixed with quash make it last longer or effect it some painters use it with acrylic

[@BathroomTile]

This video is such a gem. Even though I no longer paint traditionally it's just got such an easygoing cozy vibe to it that's just nice to have on in the background. I love how it casually switches between plen-air painting, interviewing the people related to the subject that's being painted, old-school TV-style call-in questions and impromptu in-studio demonstrations as an answer to those questions.

[@chrisblacksmith3879]

I won't be able to watch it live. Will you be posting it afterwards on KZbin?

[@janehouse198]

Now I know why my gouache tubes dry out. They are going into jars today

[@ryotran8440]

I've always feel that you're a blessing and despite all the negative of media, I'm also so thankful for it. I'd never believe that we get to experience such wonderful lesson from a living master online like this. It's just unbelievable. Thank you so much for going out of your way to make videos and share your workmanship.

[@farben_]

Best solution for palettes is to get a stay wet palette like the ones Masterson make, there's a 857 that is large enough and still be portable.

[@blonski]

When I was in the army as a cynophile, taking care of a Brazilian Fila Brasileiro, dog, and we had problems on the asphalt with the heat, and sometimes we had to put ointment on the dogs' paws so they wouldn't burn with the heat, and we usually walked with them on top of grass, because of the heat; your dog worries me in this extreme freezing cold. Can't he freeze his toes?

[@MelanieMaguire]

I had exactly the same thoughts - bare paws on ice - no wonder he didn't like it. I hope he wasn't left standing/sitting on the ice for the duration of this video. Awful.

[@JamesGurney]

Here's a helpful article from veterinarians about dog's paws and how they easily withstand cold, particularly the dogs participating in the Iditarod race. iditarod.com/391923-2/

[@carlostaveras7567]

Can't make the live, but will you be posting a recording of the presentation somewhere?

[@deniseracine6788]

I can’t believe how much content there is in one single video! This must have been so much work to produce. Thank you so much for all of your hard work. I listened to the whole thing and enjoyed every second!

[@barbaraemerson1345]

Excellent information and painting as always!!! Thank you, thank you :)

[@rarartsy3954]

ohhh, I'm so excited for you to try Himi, sir. It's the only gouache I could afford HSHAHSHZ

[@vicc19]

Thats so interesting! I`ve never seen snow in my life, apart from videos and pictures... But I loved watching this video, tho I`ll probably never have to mix my paint with vodka haha!

[@rachelparkervarner]

PS I talk about your channel again in today's video that will drop at 10 Eastern at about minute 14:50. I seriously am so ga-ga over this bit of knowledge and am so thankful for you sharing it. I really think it will change my painting in a big way!

[@JamesGurney]

Hey, Rachel, thanks for mentioning the Rembrandt Principle. Love the way you used it to make the cat's eyes come to life!

[@rachelparkervarner]

@@JamesGurney my pleasure!

[@ginadesperado]

Really appreciate what you've shared with us here! and it's impressive not receive any sponsors with your KZbin channel, thank you for your generosity to share your profession skills, learn a lot from you! 😊😊😊🙏

[@garthok6224]

You are so generous with your knowledge I hope you get a lot back

[@kajusuraj9621]

OMG please do a review on the himi gouache,, I'm so curious about your opinion on it!

[@suchitrashrivastav745]

Amazing you and your each art😍😍😍😍so lucky to learn so much virtually live like…

[@stewartking9653]

I enjoyed your videos. I have not used gouache yet. Can you use the same brushes that you use for watercolor when using gouache?

[@sarahaase2894]

I just have to say I thought it was so cool that I got an email voice memo from James Gurney letting me know that my question would be included in this video! I’m sorry I wasn’t able to make the Live, but I can’t wait to watch this and listen! It was such a pleasant surprise getting that voice memo!

[@joanna_rose_zoe]

Hi! I just noticed you clean your brushes in a container of my favorite brand of ice cream. What's your flavor of choice? I'm a die hard black raspberry chocolate chip fan myself.

[@kingpen1179]

PLEASE DO A STUDIO TOUR

[@jekalambert9412]

Loved this video and all the Q&A. Great info! I found that Le Pen fineliners and Pilot G-2 pens will write consistently on gouache without skipping. Both brands come in a variety of widths. G-2 pens are inexpensive and widely available. Le Pens are waterproof, G-2s are not. Pilot Hi-Tec C pens also write on gouache, but the 0.4 tends to look scratchy whereas the G-2 0.38 writes smoothly. Hi-Tec Cs are not water resistant. Hope this helps Arthur (and other artists). I use Holbein gouache from a dry palette. It's become my favorite brand because it reactivates easily to a thick creamy consistency that has as much opacity as gouache from the tube. I've experimented with Arteza, W&N, and Royal Talens. Holbein is the only brand I've tried that reactivates to the consistency of paint straight from the tube.

[@JamesGurney]

Thanks for all these practical tips, Jeka.

[@edinelsonramirez5656]

Gouach was designed as an indoor medium for design, not the outdoors. Of course you will have problems!

[@vitaliyrudiy9462]

As for me, this is an interesting observation. My interest is how to paint a diarama. I think it's closer to painting a landscape. Painting a figure is a completely different matter

[@graciousmom4127]

Been a long time waiting here... ☺️

[@weezie4646]

Hi James .. do you ever wax your gouache painting instead of varnish ?

[@EmmyMW]

Was that THE Tim Hodge that asked that question about the dried gouache? Cool!

[@panchoverde5078]

Thanks for answering my question!

[@rbatman9704]

I’m one least artistic people I know but I love your paintings

[@susanbviemeister3596]

Alleluliah, some good simple answers. Thanks for the tips!

[@bluewren65]

Seems to me that everyone is constantly having a fight with gouache trying to make it behave like and do things that other media do. Gouache is not opaque water colour. Using the techniques of watercolour with gouache will lead to muddy colours and frustration. It's also not water soluble oil or acrylic. Using methods applicable to those media will result in tears. Gouache is a medium all its own. It requires different handling and techniques than any other paint. Stop fighting it and embrace the magic that is gouache and you will not only learn to love it, but using it becomes easier too. I can't think of a painting medium I enjoy more.

[@zoewhite7705]

Came here to say same, these supposed problems with gouache seem more to do with people wanting it to be watercolour, or wanting it to be acrylic, rather than embracing it as it’s own medium. eg wanting a glossy rather than matte finish - the matte finish is the whole beauty of gouache and what distinguishes it from other media!

[@jonmahashintina]

a few calling in almost sound like theyre on their death bed or something. great video tho, im just jestin.

[@shadrackrolle8461]

If Goucher reeze what about acrylic paint ? #JamesGurney.

[@DavidLucas-hf1cx]

I love your painting videos (always !) but I could watch a full episode on just those beautiful ice boats.. Thank you

[@JamesGurney]

Try this video, which got some nice on-board shots of Hudson River iceboats: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aqalZoN8gd-WpbM

[@lindamariecrabb8210]

Grazie Mille James, usually I paint in oils or watercolorsbut have just been gifted several sets of gouache and you've answered a lot of the questions I had...Linda

[@karlaarbefeuille4161]

Thanks so much for this video. It’s so full of valuable info and the scenery is great! A quick note re: reconstituting dried out gouache or preserving a smooth consistency when working in a dry or heated environment. I learned this from Lena Rivo. She recommends adding Winsor & Newton blending medium for watercolor in the proportions of one part medium to four parts paint. Hope this helps!

[@rashone2879]

Fantastic helpful video...thank you...so many useful tips, especially regarding value shifting.

[@patmcdonagh8939]

What a wonderful video, very inspiring & I’ve learnt so much, but it was also a pleasure to watch, thank you from a Galway boy..

[@derekfernandez7701]

Thank you so much for posting this long form video - it's so well produced and a joy to watch! I was wondering about when you paint larger gouche scenes - do your techniques change with covering larger areas? (eg abstraction of details? Brush techniques?) Thanks again, I love your videos and art! 💙

[@radubarbos9235]

Your paintings are so beautiful, inspiring and they are a good way to better learn gouache painting but in other water media too, you are a great teacher , i have learned allot from you and i am grateful for this , keep the videos coming 🙂 I have a question,i have over 80 tubes of gouache paints in tubes and i don't want them to dry out,i have a plastic container,it's 10 inch long , 6 inch wide and about 5 inch in height,it has a lid that seals the plastic box . I tried and all my tubes have space in there,is it good too keep them from drying out,or do you have another ideea ? I hope i did not disturbed with my question and sorry for my poor english . Again thank you for being such a good teacher and mentor for all of us ! Best regards from Romania

[@alicebeshay1744]

I love working with gouache!! I think its chalciness is part of its beauty😍 Thank you James for your wonderfull lesson and beautiful film about the ice sealing

[@jaswas77]

Tomorrow is going to be a great day!

[@myramadd6651]

new to Gouache. Enjoy using it. In fact, doing some illustrations for a book I'm writing. White doesn't always highlight well, meaning that using white to brighten a highlight doesn't work well for me. I use Gencrafts Gouache, a gift from my sister in law. I get around it, most times by starting with the shading and dillute the shading a little with a damp brush to bring the highlight colors out.

[@sameaston9587]

50:06 I think your answer is found round this time spot. Try some studies with stronger contrasts and less middle values. Another idea is use white charcoal for the highlights.

[@myramadd6651]

@@sameaston9587 That might work. I need to find some white Charcoal. My gouache pieces tend to look like really meticulate watercolors.

[@birdhaus2021]

To Arthur's pen issue, perhaps he could even try a sharp black Prisma color pencil, I've had some success over gouache .. its very black with the bonus of being somewhat water soluble.

[@Shebacca6001]

I’ve always wanted to do a plein air painting during the winter but in wisconsin it’s just so unpredictable

[@juliecostello42]

Huge fans, your work is so different!

[@MrQuaazga]

Thanks for making this video. With the problems gouache has I still love this paint. I love the chalky look too.

[@pebblesthecat3625]

*MR GURNEY* When the book does eventually get published, (Doesn't matter when it is or how long it takes) I was kinda hoping that seeing as I was the one who suggested it, I might have the honour of buying the first copy that's printed, along with your signature on the first page. I know Im jumping the gun by a mile, but this news is so exciting and I want to make sure I get my copy reserved now !