Original art - Recognize good people

 Some people inspire you. They really should. I firmly believe people should own original art before they are 30 years old. If you don't, go get some! This was a custom card art piece for a co-worker who is often over looked and unsung. The best people are often rarely noticed for the greatness they bring to a team. 

Gouache game interface

 Imagine a game for a phone. An app that lets you pick a guardian animal. It warms you of threats and you fight them off. Maybe the animal fights by your side on occasion too. Well using gouache, I added colored pencil and sketched out an interface. I think I would make many more changes in the future. But for now...

~Enjoy!

Gouache...not for me

 

I have been messing around with gouache paint and finally figured out what it really is. It is a tempera paint with some ink dye for color stabilization. When it dries it is exactly like tempera paints. Water reactivated it. It feels chalky like tempera too.

I am a die hard acrylic and latex painter so The hype had me believing that this is a great alternative to those mediums. No it is not. It is hype. What gouache is...a better opaque option for water color. 

Would I suggest this product for acrylic, latex or oil painters.Hell No!

Would I suggest it for a water color artist. Yes. It is far more forgiving than you are use too. 

What I like... I can mix colored pencils with Gouache like I would with water color. That is something difficult to do with acrylics, latex or oils at times.

Gouache is very much a sketch artist medium in my mind. I have had fun doing a few experimental pieces and I can see myself doing more coloring with it in the future. But know that you are getting a tempera water color product. Period. There is no other comparison.

I now have to try my hand with various styles with the medium. Gouache has great color consistency when applied heavy. When diluted with water, it Very much acts like water color. Underpainting will come through it as water or moisture will reactivate the gouache medium. As it would with tempera paints. Ultimately we are in the age of digital arts. I will likely use this medium for texture or plotting in color then refining a work in a digital process. 

All said and done, it is not my favorite medium, however it is slowly growing on me for some limited use. I think that the fact I have a son that is a fan of manga and Asian animation, which had me thinking that it might be worth a try. I have to say... I am not overly impressed. But still giving this medium a go. I am likely to fall back into acrylics or digital color option though. When you love something you stick with it. This was a moment of variety is the spice of life issue.

Lesson learned. Don't buy the hype.