Gouache Painting: Create Vibrant Works of Art
A course by Vicki McGrath, Gouache and Acrylic Artist
Learn to create expressive still-life paintings from observation with gouache, exploring hues, values, composition, and light
With rich color combinations and expressive brushstrokes that walk the line between realistic and abstract art, even the most seemingly mundane objects can take on a life of their own on canvas. Applying a style that she calls loose realism, artist Vicki McGrath draws inspiration from the world around her and captures its essence in evocative gouache paintings that embrace vivid hues and artful imperfections. Her bold illustrations have led to collaborations with clients like Trader Joe’s and been featured in magazines such as Cottages & Bungalows.
In this online course, embrace the versatility of gouache to create striking still-life paintings from observation. Explore color theory, composition, and contrast to create lively depictions of your surroundings with a loose, minimalist approach. Turn ordinary objects into extraordinary masterpieces.
What will you learn in this online course?
17 lessons & 12 downloads
What's included in this course?
Empezarás conociendo a Vicki y descubrirás cómo su viaje por el mundo de las artes la llevó al gouache. Luego, buscarás inspiración explorando a los artistas que han influido en su estilo fresco y colorido.
Repase los materiales que necesitas antes de profundizar en la teoría del color, los matices y los valores, así como también cómo estos factores influyen en el estado de ánimo general de una pintura. Vicki también te brindará una descripción general de las propiedades del gouache te mostrará su versatilidad.
Después de elegir tu tema y crear una composición dinámica, la fotografiarás como referencia. Luego, esbozarás un contorno para tu pintura, usando una cuadrícula para colocar y dimensionar tus elementos correctamente. Seguidamente, bloquearás los parches más grandes de color con un lavado inicial, centrándote en la luz y la transparencia.
Más tarde, recrearás tu composición con una pintura más espesa para lograr valores más precisos en las sombras, y luego dejarás que tu intuición creativa te guíe mientras encuentras un equilibrio entre colores más fríos y más cálidos. Entonces, pintarás en un fondo y acabarás tu pieza aplicando los toques de pintura más claros y más oscuros para obtener la máxima definición y contraste.
Con tu pintura lista, conocerás los consejos de Vicki para fotografiar, enmarcar, imprimir y compartir tu trabajo en las redes sociales para conectar con la comunidad artística.
- 100% positive reviews (222)
- 12,359 students
- 17 lessons (2h 42m)
- 12 additional resources (2 files)
- Online and at your own pace
- Available on the app
- Audio: English, Spanish, French, Indonesian, Italian, Portuguese, Romanian, Turkish
- English · Spanish · Portuguese · German · French · Italian · Polish · Dutch · Turkish · Romanian · Indonesian
- Level: Beginner
- Unlimited access forever
What is this course's project?
Crearás una pintura con gouache de un bodegón basada en una foto de referencia.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
A cualquier persona que quiera explorar la versatilidad del gouache, desde principiantes hasta artistas con experiencia.
Requirements and materials
No necesitarás conocimientos previos.
En cuanto a los materiales, prepara gouache, pinceles, papel de acuarela, una paleta para mezclar y otros elementos básicos que Vicki especificará en el curso.
Reviews
Vicki McGrath
A course by Vicki McGrath
"Vicki McGrath es una artista autodidacta especializada en acrílicos y gouache. Después de explorar el arte cuando era niña, volvió a conectar con su chispa creativa mientras estaba embarazada de su hija, pintando un mural para el cuarto infantil. Vicki inicialmente se centró en el arte infantil y luego se aventuró en la decoración del hogar hasta que descubrió el gouache en un taller local. Usando colores vivos y pinceladas sueltas, encontró placer en capturar la esencia y la belleza del mundo que la rodeaba en expresivas obras de arte.
Su estilo audaz le valió un sólido seguimiento en las redes sociales, lo que la llevó a colaboraciones con Trader Joe's, Serena and Lily, Winsor & Newton y Michaels. Su trabajo también ha aparecido en revistas como Cottages & Bungalows y ha recibido encargos de clientes de todo el mundo.
Content
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U1
Introduction
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About Me
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Influences
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U2
Preparation
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Presenting the Materials
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Color Theory and Value
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The Properties of Gouache
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U3
Choosing the Subject and Beginning the Painting
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Choosing the Subject and Composition
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Taping the Paper and Sketching the Composition
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Applying the First Wash 1
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Applying the First Wash 2
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U4
Painting the Still Life
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Painting Each of the Objects and Shadows 1
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Painting Each of the Objects and Shadows 2
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Painting Each of the Objects and Shadows 3
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The Background
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The Final Layer 1
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The Final Layer 2
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U5
Photographing, Printing, and Sharing Your Artwork on Social Media
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Framing, Protecting, and Photographing Your Artwork for Printing
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Sharing Your Art on Social Media
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FP
Final project
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Gouache Painting: Create Vibrant Works of Art
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What to expect from a Domestika course
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Learn at your own pace
Enjoy learning from home without a set schedule and with an easy-to-follow method. You set your own pace.
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Learn from the best professionals
Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.
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Meet expert teachers
Each expert teaches what they do best, with clear guidelines, true passion, and professional insight in every lesson.
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Certificates
PlusIf you're a Plus member, get a custom certificate signed by your teacher for every course. Share it on your portfolio, social media, or wherever you like.
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Get front-row seats
Videos of the highest quality, so you don't miss a single detail. With unlimited access, you can watch them as many times as you need to perfect your technique.
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Share knowledge and ideas
Ask questions, request feedback, or offer solutions. Share your learning experience with other students in the community who are as passionate about creativity as you are.
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Connect with a global creative community
The community is home to millions of people from around the world who are curious and passionate about exploring and expressing their creativity.
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Watch professionally produced courses
Domestika curates its teacher roster and produces every course in-house to ensure a high-quality online learning experience.
FAQs
Yes, this course is designed for beginners and covers foundational gouache painting techniques, color theory, and composition, making it accessible to those new to art.
You’ll need gouache paints, brushes (including a flat brush), cold press watercolor paper, art tape, a T-square, palette, and basic sketching tools. A mister and foam board for setup are also recommended.
You’ll learn gouache techniques, color mixing, composition, using grids, painting on various surfaces, finishing methods, and how to share and monetize your artwork online.
Yes, the course includes guidance on painting murals and decorative art for children’s rooms, as well as working on reclaimed wood and other surfaces.
Yes, the course teaches you how to post your artwork on Instagram, participate in art challenges, and build a social media presence for greater exposure.
Yes, the course explains how to license your art for products like greeting cards and how to collaborate with craft stores and other partners.
Gouache is an opaque, water-based paint that dries matte and allows for layering and vibrant colors, unlike watercolor, which is more transparent.
This class was extremely informative and I find myself coming back for tips again and again. I appreciated her step by step approach and her experience.
I really liked this course and her way of working with this medium
Gracias a este curso estoy conociendo otro tipo de pintura en acuarela. Está genial!
No utilizo redes sociales y por lo tanto no puedo subir mi proyecto final, eso es triste, debería ser opcional el compartir en redes. Gracias
Love the artist's style and enjoyed the class. It gave me more confidence to try a different way to painting with gouache and I'm looking forward to continuing. Would love to take another class with this teacher.