My 30 day gouache adventure is underway!
Shown in reverse order.
Day 1, Ball Cactus.
Gouache on Arches paper. 4 x 4 in. S.M. Delgado.
There is no doubt this is going to be a month of learning for me. Gouache can be used like watercolor, but it is very different. It is opaque. You can layer light over dark. You can blend. And if you goof, you can paint over it. I apologize for the blur.
Day 2, Prickly Pear Cactus.
Gouache on Meeden 140 Lb. hot press paper. 5 x 7 in. S.M. Delgado.
The reference photo showed the tuna’s as very pale pink. I didn’t quite capture the light in them. And my blending there is very uneven. I’m trying to convince myself it gives them a rough & rustic look. 😄 The spines were very few and mostly around the edges. I can see why this medium is favored for illustration work. I added the outlining and the spines digitally.
Day 3, Saguaro Cactus. Gouache on Meeden 140 Lb. hot press paper.
3.5 x 5 in. S.M. Delgado
I had several busy days in a row, so I went small and simple.
Day 4, Cloud. Gouache on Meeden 140 Lb. hot press paper.
3.5 x 5 in. S.M.Delgado.
I had a bottom layer of “light” in the foreground. And I added texture as well. But it didn’t work, and as I tried to rework it, I lost most of that. I really was focused on the cloud process. I kept working that to blend and soften. I’m not sure it is effective. To me it looks hard instead of soft. But the learning counts.
Day 5, Same Cloud. Gouache on Meeden 140 Lb. hot press paper.
3.5 x 5 in. S.M.Delgado.
You’re right. You are seeing double. LOL. I added a tree line, and some light on the mountains. It was a long day, that’s about all I had time for. I did get some ideas for my next piece. I’m looking ahead to tomorrow. After a long winter’s nap.
Thanks so much for taking the time to look at the first five days!
They’re even more beautiful when you see them together.
Ahh, thank you, Chandra. I sure am enjoying your pages! xoxo
Well done for your first steps with gouache.
Thank you, Val. I really enjoy the creamy feel of the paint. 🙂
A very nice five days. I love the cacti. Nice evolvement.
The clouds and mt is a great composition. The second shows depth. Nicely done.
Thank you, Christine. I’m having fun. 🙂
Sheila, WOW! You ventured magnificently into gouache! You’ve captured my heart by using this Creative Gathering of 2/2026 to explore a medium that is mostly new to you. The softnesses and composition of your ball cactus here are very soothing and appealing. Your prickly pear cactus provides a tiny wonderland of visual language for me to explore with its nopales each a different value and showcasing both cool and warm hues; and its contrasts between lower area dark and upper area light, and contrasts between swathes of color fields juxtaposed with fine linework. I’m always intrigued by your combining painting by hand and the use of some digital detail. I like how you used the saguaro to give yourself a chance to ‘rest’ by going small and simiple; it’s a calming piece. And, then, what fun to see your final two seeing-double cloud pieces which provided a fun Highlights for Children visual discrimination exercise! The added touches in Day 5 are very effective.
Carry on!!!
Haha! I love that, Dotty. I always loved looking for the differences in Highlights! LOL.
Yes, the ball cacti often look so soft and touchable. But of course they are not.
I did try to capture how the prickly pear can look multi hued, from the light and shadows.
Thank you, Dotty! I am catching up today, see you on your blog soon. xoxo