Tree in Gouache

Joanna gave me a new set of goauche paints.  I've been wanting to try them as they are the in tools to use for plein air painting.  You can have a small kit and only carry a small sketchbook and the colors with a brush and water.  Pastels are heavy and oils are wet.  Acrylics are OK but different.  

The set I got is in pans like watercolors so not easy to get the opaque look I was after.  I did have white in a tube which is more the consistency of oil paint or acrylic.  I ended up painting more like watercolor and then adding a bit of texture and opaque color using the white.    The finished sketch  when dry feels a bit waxy ?? and has some texture unlike watercolor.  

I always thought of gouache as glorified poster paint and that is what it seems to me.  I do see beautiful paintings done with it online so will watch some videos.  I will need to practice .. always something to learn.

For Scavenger Hunt from Life 200  https://creativespark.art/threads/scavenger-hunt-from-life-200-sep-18-30.9291/

Number 1 tree - Gouache, ink from a Micron 02 that fizzled out and is now in the trash.  In the large Canson Mixed Media sketchbook, half page.  I sketched on my footstool in the living room looking out the window while we visited.  Cody (nephew), Joanna, Gene and I.  Cody was visiting from Arizona.  So nice to see him and catch up.

Jam in Front of Me Sketch

I was looking for jam or jar that I hadn't sketched.  I decided on the grape jelly.  Then I thought I could sketch another item on the list, "right in front of me".  These are sketched in the large Conda sketchbook with an Ohuhu 0.2 pen.

For Scavenger Hunt from Life 198  https://creativespark.art/threads/scavenger-hunt-from-life-198-aug-25-sep-6.9247/
 This Hunt was over on September 6.  I am posting here just for my records.

Number 5 jam or jar and Number 6 right in front of me.

It was good to play in the ink. 

This was sketched on the porch on Saturday.  We were going along smoothly.  Then...Saturday night Gene had a seizure.  It didn't last long and I had no idea what happened so another night in the hospital.  They wanted to do a few tests and Gene was too agitated in the hospital so we just brought him home.  He is doing OK and I am recovered pretty well, so all good again in the Castillo household.  Check up on Monday then back to PT and schedules.  Thanks to wonderful kiddos and we can get caretakers when needed.  

We will celebrate our two birthdays tomorrow.  Will be back soon.... 

Lamp Tree Sketch

I sketched at PT with Gene a few days ago and then at the park here by the house.  Joanna and I sat in the shade at the pavilion by the fire station.

For Scavenger Hunt 198 https://creativespark.art/threads/scavenger-hunt-from-life-198-aug-25-sep-6.9247/

Number 3, candle or lamp - the light fixtures at PT, well some of them.

Number 4, big tree - at the playground park by the firehouse near the house.

I have missed sketching and posting.  I had a procedure on my heart, ablation.  It should fix my A-fib and I got to quit one medicine with bad side effects.  I was in the hospital overnight.  That was much harder on Gene than on me.  He needs routine.  Having other caretakers and more people around is hard.  He is doing OK again.

Back soon....