In the Gouache
Art Mediums | Introduction to Painting with Gouache
Water it down.
OVERVIEW
This two-hour beginner's workshop provides a comprehensive introduction to gouache (pronounced gwash), a highly versatile, opaque water-based paint.
Students will learn how gouache differs from watercolor and acrylic, focusing on its signature characteristics: its velvety, matte finish and its excellent opacity, which allows for painting light colors over dark. We will cover essential techniques for achieving smooth, flat washes (like those used in design and illustration), mixing colors to achieve a perfect velvety consistency, and learning control for precise layering and detail work. You'll leave the class with a bold, graphic, and vibrant artwork that showcases the unique properties of this historical and contemporary medium.
Painterly Original works will be provided to fuel the creative process and stoke the imagination. No experience or artistic skill required!
PRICING
All classes are $120 per canvas with a ten (10) studentclass minimum.
OUR MISSION
Our mission is to counteract the age of disposable experiences by teaching genuine creative skills. Painterly’s framework promotes the creation of keepsake artwork that carries lasting personal value, rather than becoming clutter. In a world where art is often mass-produced or prohibitively expensive, we offer an affordable and intentional pathway for our students to create their own meaningful, display-worthy creations rooted in solid artistic foundations.
-
Well, gouache is like watercolors but far easier to control. Artists paint with gouache because the medium offers vibrant, opaque colors, dries quickly, and allows for both watercolor-like washes and bold, graphic layers, making it versatile for illustration and fine art.
-
Famous artists who used gouache include:
Henri Matisse – Used gouache for his vibrant cut-outs in his later years
Marc Chagall – Employed gouache in his dreamy, colorful compositions
Paul Klee – Combined gouache with other media in his abstract, playful works
Georges Rouault – Used gouache for its rich, textured effects in expressive paintings
Edward Bawden – A key figure in British illustration who frequently used gouache for its bold, flat color
-
Guided group demonstration
Personalized instruction
Premium 12 x 16 gallery wrap canvas
Workshop guide
Shared class supplies (brushes, paints, etc.)
Fresh, frameable art compositions
Deeper understanding of art history
-
AGES | All ages welcome but 13+ is recommended to benefit the most from instruction.
PREREQUISITE | None. No prior artistic skill required, either.
ARRIVAL | Please allow an extra 15-30 minutes for mingling to ensure you are settled when instruction begins.
ATTIRE | Heavy-duty canvas aprons are provided for class, but because accidents happen sometimes, we do recommend wearing clothes that you don’t mind getting a tad messy.
-
TO BOOK | Click below to book a painting event at the location of your choice. Once your booking is confirmed, a 50% non-refundable deposit is required to secure your event.
RESCHEDULING | Hosts may request a one-time calendar postponement by contacting us at events@painterly.co at least seven (7) full days prior to the event. Approved transfers are subject to a $150 administrative rescheduling fee, and the new date must fall within six months of the original block, subject to calendar availability.
CANCELLATION POLICY | To create an exceptional experience for your group, we begin preparing for your event the moment it’s booked. Because our experiences require dedicated artist scheduling, custom material procurement, and precise regional travel logistics, the initial 50% deposit is non-refundable.
If your event needs to be cancelled within 14 days of the scheduled date (after the final balance has been settled), please note that all processed fees are non-refundable. This helps us ensure our working artists and local vendors are still compensated for the time and materials already dedicated to your event.
