painting vibrant fruit using only three colors 🍊 gouache

hi everyone, i wanted to share my process for my sketchbook spread this week, grab your sketchbook and paint along with me :)
✧ materials ✧
✦ Strathmore Toned Tan Mixed Media Journal bit.ly/3NbLNzi
✦ Holbein Artists' Gouache bit.ly/3gTjjwx
✦Princeton Velvetouch Series 3950 Synthetic Brushes and Sets bit.ly/3B7jL0Z
*I use affiliate links which means I get a small commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you!
✧ links ✧
✦My Etsy Shop bit.ly/3Aesuya
✦My Instagram bit.ly/3GgtN3m
✧Music✧
✦take it easy by pure tunetank.com/track/5750-take-...
✦happiness happens by danyvin tunetank.com/track/3744-happi...
✦rustle of leaves by AHOAMI tunetank.com/track/6076-rustl...
✦light steps by emsti tunes tunetank.com/track/3681-light...
✦bird song by AHOAMI tunetank.com/track/6070-birds...

[@stephanieramirez4645]

I wish you were here in my house when my husband and I were watching you paint and the *gasp* of joy we had as you finished each study! Truly amazing!! I too am learning to art and mix color. It’s not easy, but when you hit it right- it’s magic! Thank you for sharing!

[@sofiapavanmacias]

This is so lovely 🥰 thank you for making my day with your comment ❤️

[@andreanelaroche5717]

Here is a tip from someone who took some paint classes and color comp classes. Black is never something you find in nature. nor do you find pure white. they are always tinted. like snow is often a light blue during day and might even be purple or orange at night(depending of if you are in a city or not). If you feel unsure about the color of a specific object, you can pick your pipette tool and check what are the real colors you can see in a photo to help you figure out.

[@OscarLopez-fx9nt]

It’s impressive to see what you make with these colors and how you change your approach from one to the other. I keep learning with you 👍🏼

[@sofiapavanmacias]

ahhh 😍 you're the best thank you 🥰 ily

[@anne-mariburger4201]

My favourite is defnitely the lemons! Perfect background colour for me. I too enjoy painting with a limited palette and fruit, flowers, trees and gardens are some favourite subjects. I normally paint in oils, but you inspire me to take out my gouache again.

[@sofiapavanmacias]

Yay! Love this 🥰

[@erikabuentello2787]

So beautiful, Sofia! The colors just pop so incredibly on that toned paper, too.

[@sofiapavanmacias]

Thank you Erika! I love toned paper for gouache😍

[@otafuku358]

立体感があって、とても素敵です🥰 オレンジ、美味しそうですね！！

[@raquelsalerno5933]

You’ve inspired me to paint fruit ❤

[@lyssasletters3232]

Yay! Now I’m inspired to paint!

[@Brenilla]

The True power of the primary colors! CYM and RYB have so much utility as the primarily colors, it’s great! I’ve been taking a color theory corse, and it’s fun playing with the primaries and color specifically!

[@DominiqueJolyArt]

I just discovered you today and I’ve been watching all your videos. I really love your video style and your artwork! You have inspired me. ❤

[@sofiapavanmacias]

this is so lovely, thank you so much 😊

[@Chloe-zr9lk]

they look so gorgeous

[@sofiapavanmacias]

Thank you so much ❤️ when I finish this sketchbook I will definitely do a tour 🥰

[@madelinegrudens]

You choice of colors and combinations is terrific 🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩. New subscriber!!!

[@sofiapavanmacias]

Thank you so much for subscribing! 🥰❤️

[@elenapavanmacias7571]

And YES to the tutorial on how you mix colours 😙

[@sofiapavanmacias]

on it!!!

[@godhateseveryonewhodoesntr5977]

Very nice results! I personally prefer colour mixing with the three primary colours too. To me it's easier than having twenty different paints and bothering trying to find the closest matching colour.

[@SeaSoulArt]

So beautiful 😍, the sun shines on the lemons, it's incredible!

[@JohnnyB-art]

Hello… totally amazing .. really love how you painted these and made them your own.. lovely work and lovely video .. really inspiring 😊👍

[@sofiapavanmacias]

thank you so much! this really means a lot ☺

[@sallytownsendart]

These are beautiful!

[@krystal2202]

I absolutely love your art and watching u paint. Your art is beautiful! 🤩

[@vikaphotography]

these are absolutely stunning

[@teachtolovenottohate]

This is so beautiful and inspiring! Fantastic!

[@Stacy_SJA]

I love the way your art looks on that paper!

[@Momcat6]

These are all beautiful, thank you for sharing your art!

[@tatuskaartstudio]

wow amazing!

[@alittleunconventional.3333]

I loved watching you make this.

[@elenapavanmacias7571]

Woah 🥺😱 the way you start with those primary building blocks and the final product that you yield at the end 😱 wildly talented and amazing 🥹 absolutely amazing 🥹

[@sofiapavanmacias]

ily!! thank you!! ❤

[@jayceecappaert4567]

Astounding work-so so talented and skilled!

[@donnaduhamel6004]

Yes butt in chair...thanks for your talented paintings..you inspire me xxx 🌈🦋🕊

[@sofiapavanmacias]

This is so lovely 🥰 thank you

[@theemoturtle7002]

i need to do this, it looks so fun!

[@BlancaVarguesArt]

Wonderful art work and beautiful video!😍

[@pinkgirl281982]

Ugh never mind u put it in the description. You really make the colors pop I love it

[@sofiapavanmacias]

Thank you Sara! ☺️

[@bunnyinaboat]

I was having a horrible morning but watching this video made me calm down and relax. Thanks

[@perlapamela2023]

So beautiful ❤

[@irishhi8333]

The shading you created to intimate the cupped leaves in the oranges piece impresses me.

[@sofiapavanmacias]

thank you!!! 💛

[@rhonda1631]

WOW, STUNNING! So happy your channel came across my feed, thank you for sharing!

[@dragonrage122]

i love color mixing. my travel pallete is actually a tiny altoid tin with six quarter pans. black gouache, white gouache, lemon ochre/yellow ochre gouache [depending on which i have on hand] and then a bright napthol red, a blue green, or ultramarine, and a hansa yellow watercolor. my paints, because of the water color colors, are generally less opaque, but fantastic for field studies.

[@sofiapavanmacias]

Love it! Thanks for sharing 😊

[@veronicaalll]

i love your videos, they’re so well made🥰

[@sofiapavanmacias]

this means so much to me- thank you!!!

[@hondor5092]

Seeing this inspired me to paint today!!! This is beautiful✨🌟🍎🍑🍋

[@ivanafityoga9641]

Wonderful ❤️ thank you for your energy, truly inspiring 🙏

[@sofiapavanmacias]

thank you for this lovely comment 🥰

[@jcardaor]

Love it, Sofia 💕💕💕 you’re so talented!

[@sofiapavanmacias]

thank you so so much!!! 🥰

[@amandaterrio4823]

Beautiful

[@aeriaria2391]

The colors were so bright and attractive, it made the fruits look so tasty. Awesome work~

[@dizzydizzee]

I'm so excited to have found ur channel! your art is so vibrant and beautiful, i also paint pretty much everyday but this really inspired me in a way that made me more giddy about painting! especially abuot colour mixing, i'm rlly excited to mix some vibrant colours with the primaries now... I love your video style too! keep going I can see ur channel growing tons in the near future

[@sofiapavanmacias]

This is so lovely 🥺 thank you so much! I love when people get excited about painting!

[@SalmaAhmed-nd4ys]

This is sooo good please keep going I'm getting improved by these videos ❤️

[@sofiapavanmacias]

This is great to hear! Thank you 🥰 def making more videos 😊

[@wingoflife3140]

I would really like to see your color mixing process 🤗🤗

[@noellesercer9978]

I love your process! I feel we think so alike in our painting process and I’m grateful to have found your channel ❤❤ thank you for explaining my thoughts for me lol.

[@sofiapavanmacias]

Thank you for your lovely words- so glad you are here! 🥰

[@LadyLaddy]

Just discovered your channel today, and I really enjoy your videos. It's Sunday midnight and I really want to sketch now^^

[@motherblue2208]

Just beautiful 😍

[@sofiapavanmacias]

thank you!! 💛

[@fayegambino]

Love these - thank you x

[@sofiapavanmacias]

Thank you for watching! ❤️

[@bunnyl7328]

This was such a fun watch! I've always preferred mixing colors myself but until this video I'd never really asked myself why. I think after some thought I've come to the conclusion that using a color without knowing how it was mixed (ironically) feels like too much work. I'm always going to want to tweak and customize a color, with the exception of some super specialty colors I guess, and I don't really want to go through the process of experimenting with how a random premade color will mix with others. Building something myself is almost always going to be a straight shot to what I want, whereas using a fancy color is going to take me off-track I guess? I've always found building colors from the ground up to be intuitive, and it seems like that's you as well! You're process was lovely to watch.

[@HappyGnoux]

they're beautiful =)

[@Lilasun]

Very inspiring. I've always been intimidated and overwhelmed by colour, love your approach. I think you have a natural gift with it :) Keep going with the videos, you're doing great 💓

[@travelbonne4872]

Your videos are so inspiring. You are very talented ❤

[@sofiapavanmacias]

Thank you so much 🥰

[@WickedlyElvis]

I love how your paintings, though they're made with a limited palette, really pop on the toned paper. Very inspiring.

[@sofiapavanmacias]

Thank you so much ❤️

[@mondraymondo]

So gorgeous! Especially the peaches i say! Made me want to go back to painting again! Cheers!

[@sofiapavanmacias]

Thank you so much 🥰

[@slug_raptor_9994]

I love that you choose to work on that paper with gouache because the colors look so good on it

[@sofiapavanmacias]

Thank you! I really love this paper for gouache :)

[@sandfly60]

I love your work.

[@sofiapavanmacias]

Thank you very much! that means a lot :)

[@RojinAvarzaman]

Lovely😍😍

[@drawace9094]

I like your voice and the way you explain everything. It feels real and not like you limit your thoughts. Also very cozy vibes ^.^ subscribed

[@sofiapavanmacias]

Thank you for watching and for your lovely comment 🥰

[@aamenahkhan6108]

Amazing

[@RachelSocially]

This work is stunning! I just placed an order for your postcards and bookmarks! 🥰

[@sofiapavanmacias]

Ahh thank you so so much for the support! ❤️🥰

[@indiomara]

Precioso, qué talento!! Adoro estos estudios de fruta, los colores son absolutamente divinos 😍😍😍 Increíble los colores y tonos que se pueden conseguir mezclando colores primarios 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@sofiapavanmacias]

gracias bonita 🥰 verdad que es impresionante como tres colores pueden hacer tantos tonos 😍

[@colorsensewithjen8200]

wow, you're very good! way to go for being self taught and challenging yourself. these "sketches" are beautiful and seem more like finished works to me :) Thank you for your videos.

[@erwinmoreno23]

Lovely fruits

[@sofiapavanmacias]

Thank you!! 💕

[@bringceremony]

I love color mixing, though it can be frustrating sometimes, but I think it's a fun challenge with interesting results

[@laZOETje]

These are beautiful! The lemons look fine, maybe try fading the detail into the loose background the same as the shadows. If that makes sense. It looks like that is what you did mostly though. ?

[@ixchelssong]

I agree about the color mixing tutorial! I have been mainly self-taught as well (with books and videos). I can draw pretty well, but adding color has always been my sticking point. I do think that drawing WITH the colors is much better for me than trying to add colors to a sketch. But still...

[@AbiNomac]

Beautiful! You’re accent is gorgeous.

[@sofiapavanmacias]

🥰🥹 thank you

[@adrijabhattacharyya]

I saw it on Instagram few weeks back... And somehow this video pops up in my KZbin page... Good work algorithm 😂

[@marrecacareca2880]

Fantastic.... Tks....

[@wlo1476625]

好漂亮，太厲害了

[@laowaistudieschina7470]

I like limited palettes because it forces me to learn how to make color mixes and get a color that works. I feel that a painting done with a limited palette has a much more cohesive feeling than those done with lots of colors. To me it was a huge revelation that I can mute vibrant colors with the opposite on the color wheel. Still learning.

[@alinahavlishyna2389]

Lux Idea

[@pinkgirl281982]

What is that book ur using? It holds paint really well

[@mellerieuwers6554]

I really like what you're making! Can you also make a tutorial step by step. I find it difficult where and how to start and how to layer the different colors?

[@sofiapavanmacias]

I'm working on a video right now about my process for painting vibrant fruit 🥰

[@jacqulyndavis.7039]

Beautiful work. How did you get so smart so young? Anyway, what sort of paper does your (sketch)book have? Thanks for posting.

[@sofiapavanmacias]

Thank you! Very kind! This is strathmore’s 400 series paper for mixed media which is quite thick and takes water very well 😊

[@pherranine]

id love a more in depth vid on mixing colours!!

[@sofiapavanmacias]

great to know! will def be making that ☺

[@pamteal5433]

Love your work. Just a thought: would it help to paint the fruit with white gouache before the other colours? or would that mess with the top colours? Thanks for sharing.

[@theodorlobster1148]

Hi, I'm currently learning about colours and mixing when I hear you on how you were struggling with the red I understand why the artistic palette is red, blue, yellow (brown for the black) and not CMYK. Nethertheless CMY helps to have vibrant and saturated colors ^^

[@tralijntje1540]

would love to see tutorials from you

[@Acorn_artflower]

Nice

[@teacherseham3504]

Great

[@barefacedquestions]

Besides the gorgeous artwork, that's such an interesting choice of paper. I assume you don't use a lot of water?

[@sofiapavanmacias]

thank you!! I tend to use quite a bit of water and I do a lot of layering too and it holds up really well ☺️

[@aioa.5594]

Can you go through the brushes that you have and what you recommend.

[@sofiapavanmacias]

I can definitely talk more about supplies in another video. But essentially the best brushes I've found for gouache and watercolor are the Princeton Velvetouch brushes. Out of preference I tend to go for the round brushes verses the angled ones (but that's just a stylistic choice) lmk if you have more qs!

[@MusicalAleo]

I love the brown sketchbook what brand is it/type of paper

[@sofiapavanmacias]

It’s a strathmore mixed media toned tan sketchbook, i linked the exact one in the description box ☺️

[@Meskarune]

I was forced to learn color theory. I took an art class but I was too poor to buy all the recommended supplies. So for paints I got white, black, red, green, yellow, magenta, and cyan paints, then mixed all colors by hand. I saved money not needing to buy 30 different colors, but it takes a lot more time and reproducing the same brown or purple really took effort.

[@sofiapavanmacias]

Yes! It can be more satisfying and cost effective but harder to then get the exact same tones

[@rachelcqart]

perfect 😍, where is this sketchbook from?

[@sofiapavanmacias]

this is the strathmore mixed media journal :)

[@HeartofaHummingbird]

I'd love to get back into art in general but I'm unsure of how to proceed. I know I need to learn a lot as a beginner. Any recommendations?

[@silvanamontanes3376]

Hello @Sofía do you know what is the difference between watercolor and gouche ? Thanks

[@sofiapavanmacias]

Hi Silvana, gouache is more opaque, dries more matte, and can be easily reactivated with water. Watercolor is more translucent, and people tend to use it with a more watery consistency, whereas with gouache you can use it more thickly. This is just a broad comparison, but I hope it helps!

[@silvanamontanes3376]

@@sofiapavanmacias thank you for your advice 🤗

[@BNeron]

I thought the third was the best shrug 😅❤

[@paintwithzozo4661]

What paper did you use?

[@miranatill6454]

😍🤓

[@bizzybee852]

I liked all of the fruit studies, but I did not quite like the light color you outlined the peaches with. It looked sort of odd, like you wouldn't have natural highlights encircling a peach, and I also thought it took away from the colors of the peaches making them look less vibrant. Though I thought you did an amazing job painting the peach leaves using so many different shades of green made them look so natural and beautiful. I find it funny that my least favorite study was the peaches, and it was your favorite. And your least favorite study was the apples, and 'wow' I thought you did an amazingly stunning job of replicating the various shades of colors you find in an apple, and capturing the variations and stippling effect you see in the skin of an apple. The apple study was definitely your best in my opinion, and it was my favorite.

[@KimbraCheesy8]

Im curious to know if you used any references for these nice paintings, and if its true, can you please share them 🥺

[@sofiapavanmacias]

Hi! I got these from adobe stock on their free trial ☺️ but free websites like Pexels and Unsplash have great reference photos of fruit too!

[@pikkuli1]

🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@joanpringle-canning2834]

🦋🦋🌼🌼🌸🌸🌻🌻🌷🌷

[@sphinxtheeminx]

One should not confuse mastery of materials with creativity. Where is the Art in your art?

[@mariatrapani851]

I AM ALSO SELF-TAUGHT ARTIST I USED ALL MEDIUMS

[@fellen1611]

I'm terrible at mixing color... It's not that I can't mix the things I need, it's that I'm so impatient that it feels like it takes forever, and I end up giving up on my piece.

[@panchoverde5078]

Magenta and cyan aren't colors. They're mixers. You can make an infinite amount of colors with them by adding them to pigment. Magenta and yellow makes orange and red. That's nuts.

[@deisyradel4973]

The blue ones looks like a foot

[@sofiapavanmacias]

🤣