Artblog.net

Previous: Anthony Caro, 1924-2013

Next: Here, Have Some Art (2)

Gouache, That Was Fun

Post #1628 • October 30, 2013, 11:49 PM

Making gum arabic gouache turned out to be almost as easy as making acrylic gouache. There are a lot of recipes, so the aggregate instruction is to add heated or unheated water to gum arabic in 2:1 proportions and then let stand from one hour to two days. An initial attempt to stir gum powder into hot water in a small pot resulted in gum curds. Acting on a hunch, I tried mulling the gum with distilled water using a palette knife, just like you'd add pigment to binder (which you then go ahead and do), and this worked just fine. Sprinkle in a little barium sulfate or chalk of your choice and you're done.

I then appeared as a visiting artist in a color drawing class at Salve Regina University in Newport, RI, led by Susannah Strong. We made gouache and painted flowers with it. The students were talented and lovely people to boot, and we had a fine time.

Comment