Summer Gouache

I've been curious about gouache for a while and decided to use it this summer to see where it would lead me. Using gouache is like drawing with liquid color and seems to suit my expressive needs. I enjoy the range of surfaces from transparent to opaque that develop from varied applications.

Driftwood Beach 2, Great Spruce Head Island, gouache on yupo, 11x14

My early experiments were small color studies from memory. I worked with different papers and a variety of brushes. Discomfort with the process eventually gave way to freedom of exploration. Eventually, I worked outside where I sometimes overworked paintings, but aspired to the same minimal approach that accompanied the memory paintings. I like gouache for its clarity of color and directness of process, and approach it as I do drawing, making marks in response to what I see, and searching for essential shapes and forms.


Memory study, East Side Road, Late Afternoon10x8


Memory Study, East Side Road, 3x3


Morning, Bernard Marsh, 7x9


Bernard Marsh 2, 5x7


Addison Lupine, Pleasant Bay, 7.5x9.5



Addison Meadow, Wahoa Bay,  7.5x9


August brought a visit to Great Spruce Head Island where I stayed for five days painting with friends. Hiking around to favorite spots on the island, I drew and painted on paper and yupo.

From the Porch toward Butter and Barred, gouache, 9x12



Driftwood Beach 3, gouache on yupo, 11x14



Driftwood Beach 1, gouache on yupo, 11x14



Late Morning toward Bear Island, gouache, 9x12



Foggy Beach, Great Spruce Head Island, gouache, 11x14



South Meadow, Early Evening, gouache, 9x12



Tide Pool 3, gouache on yupo, 5.5x6


Tide Pool 2, gouache on yupo, 5x6