I meant to post this in March but time just slipped away so here I am backdating it (as I post this it is early April) so it will show up in correct chronological order.

On March 12, 2023, I logged into Zoom for another gouache paint-along with Gayle Kabaker and Jennifer Orkin Lewis. Since March is Women’s History Month Gayle and Jennifer chose Women and Pattern for their theme.

I loved creating the quick celebrity portraits on assorted pre-painted colored ovals. The trick is to capture only the defining features, like Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s collar or Frida Kahlo’s eyebrows.

Then it was time to do the portrait of a lady with a fan. I had to go over the white markings in her hair to get decent opacity. I guess I need to get myself a tube of Winsor & Newton white gouache. It’s Gayle and Jennifer’s recommended brand for just that reason.

I don’t usually work with gouache outside of these online workshops but I do enjoy the fun few hours departure as I paint with other artists around the globe.

I’ve been working very hard to finish a year long project that I’m planning to share in late December but in my down-time I’m enjoying short and fun online classes and workshops. The latest was Inspired by Pattern, another paint-along workshop by Gayle Kabaker and Jennifer Orkin Lewis.

I’ve always leaned toward the “less is more” end of the design spectrum so this was a real stretch for me. You can see when I painted along with Gayle my pattern making only extended to the flowers in my model’s hair. I’m still pleased since I’m trying to use more warm hues, especially yellows, in my work.

If you’re interested in joining another one of these workshops, Gayle and Jennifer are going to do another on Monday, December 6th. This one will be a holiday card themed class and you can find out more HERE.

#paintwithGJ