Bridie Cheeseman Gouache Workshop

Today I had my first workshop since returning after Christmas! This workshop was with illustrator Bridie Cheeseman and was focussing on how to use and apply Gouache paint. Myself, I have only used this medium once, and that was back when I was in year 13 doing A Level, for the sake of using another type of paint. 

My first - and latest Gouache painting of an Amur Leopard

The workshop began with a display of Bridie's work, to inspire us and further explain how she creates the textures and tones with the paint. She also spoke of editing her paintings using digital software (maybe something to try out!)

In this workshop Bridie showed us her technique of using the paint with water, and how to mix it to get the perfect consistency and a smooth colour. When I did this painting, I applied the paint as I would have done with acrylics, and therefore got a rough fur texture. In this session I tried to achieve many different textures with the paint using water to change it's consistency.

I created two A4 pages of paint work. I mixed my colours on the paper as Bridie had suggested and produced a few illustrations in a number of ways, using bold brushstrokes as well as fine, delicate ones.

I had the idea of editing my small birds to form some sort of pattern, and I will do this at a later date (If I remember). I decided to draw Chinese dragons as I was inspired by the Chinese New Year, as well as a very detailed blue Phoenix which developed from a doodle. With these illustrations I worked on both a small and larger scale, and I am very happy with my progress today. Gouache may be a medium I try out in future work.