A course in painting architectural subjects and city scenes in gouache, using photographs as reference.
Gouache is a fun and easy to use water based medium that dries quickly to a beautiful mat finish. It is an opaque version of watercolor. Unlike transparent watercolor, gouache allows for painting light colors over dark, providing greater freedom in how a painting is created.
Topics will include choosing a composition, transferring photographic reference to your paper, paint handling & consistency, painting gouache in layers, and techniques for suggesting textures. Students will also learn how to mix a wide range of colors from a limited palette.
The class will include basic, simplified instruction in one and two point perspective.
Sessions will consist of demonstrations by the instructor and individual instruction based on each student’s level of accomplishment.
Materials list
Gouache paint (Winsor and Newton or Holbein are a couple of good brands.) Not “HIMI” or “Jelly” gouache, and not “acrylic gouache” (“Acryla” or “Acryl”), which is actually acrylic paint.
Ultramarine Blue
Cadmium Yellow Light or Pale
Winsor Red or Pure Red
Perylene Maroon (W&N) or Alizarin Crimson
Burnt Seinna
Permanent White
Shot handle brushes suitable for acrylic or mixed media (brushes made with “Golden Taklon” are good),
½” and ¼” flat wash
#4 or #6 wash or shader (these are about of an inch)
#2 or #4 round
(ideally 2 of each for light and dark colors),
Watercolor palette with a generous mixing area (or a “Masterson Sta–Wet Handy Palette”)
Watercolor or mixed media paper, 140lb (300gsm) or better in weight, hot or cold press, 9”x12” or 8×10” or similar
Water container for brush cleaning
Mister spray bottle for keeping palette wet
Pencil and eraser for sketching out the composition
Reference photographs will be provided, though students are welcome to bring their own.
8 three hour sessions. Tuesdays, 9:00 am to 12:00 pm, April 8 – May 27, 2025
$176 per person, $152 for Delaware Art Museum members
Location: Education Wing, Delaware Art Museum, 2301 Kentmere Parkway, Wilmington, DE 19086. The Education Wing is a separate building, past the entrance to the museum when walking from the parking lot.
