Learning a New Medium: Gouache

A New Year means new skills to learn!

I stumbled upon the work of Emma Block on Instagram and I've been a fan of her work ever since.  She creates whimsical illustrations with watercolor and gouache. Goo-what? Gouache is pronounced "gwash" or "goo-ash" and some describe it as opaque watercolors. Ever since I heard about gouache, I kept seeing different artists using it and the desire to try gouache kept growing inside me.

It just so happened that Emma Block came out with a book entitled "Get Started with Gouache." I borrowed a copy from the library and this is where my gouache journey began.

I bought this primary set of Holbein Acryla. I chose this brand because most illustrators use it so I'm taking a cue from the experts. Emma uses Designer Gouache from Windsor & Newton, and likewise recommends Holbein, Royal Talens, Caran D' Ache, and Schmincke. There are two kinds: (1) acrylic gouache has the matte finish of gouache but the waterproof permanency of acrylic and, (2) traditional gouache which is water soluble. So if you want to layer colors and make each shade distinct, acrylic gouache will work better. 

Solid gouache is available but she doesn't recommend it because it doesn't give the thick consistency she's after.

The first step is to mix colors and make a test swatch (gouache dries darker on paper). Always start with a test swatch and wait for it to dry (adjust accordingly) before painting your final piece. Write down the colors you mixed to help you remember.

Add water gradually (water will make the paint thinner, more translucent and causes it to dry less evenly). The paint has to feel creamy in texture but is not thin and runny. Mix the paint well to avoid streaky results.

A tip to remember: Always replace the cap on the tube after squeezing out the paint. If the paint inside the tube is looking dry, dip the end of the exposed paint in clean water and put the cap back on.

I practiced using the exercises in the book:

Gouache dries quickly and with a flat, matte finish. Emma suggests combining it with colored pencils, watercolors, collage, and India ink for more character and depth.

I'm very used to watercolors where strokes are light and delicate. Painting with gouache needed a different approach: more heavy-handed to get an even, solid color. Mixing paint is also something I need to work on (I've been spoiled by watercolor pans). But as with all skills, I'll keep practicing!

Apart from this book, I found insightful tutorials here:

Skillshare Gouache Tutorial

Beginner's Guide to Gouache

Gouache Paint Pro Tips

I love what Emma says about developing your style:

"People often worry about finding their artistic style. I always think everybody's style is like their handwriting, it's intrinsic to them. Everybody's artwork will have a unique quality due to their brushstrokes and line work. I don't think it's a good idea to try to  choose a style that you think is on trend and produce work like that. It's important that your style feels natural to you and reflects the way you see the world. Don't worry about trying to find your style as quickly as possible; just enjoy the process and create as much work as possible. Also, don't worry if your style is changing. That's completely natural. It will continually evolve as you are inspired by new things, new materials, and become more confident in your drawing and painting abilities. The number-one piece of advice I can give anyone is to just keep painting. Don't worry about making mistakes, just keep going and have fun." - Emma Block, illustrator and author of "Get Started with Gouche" 

Have you tried your hand at gouache? I would appreciate it if you send me some tips so my technique will turn from "blah to TADA!"

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Making New Memories in 2022

Happy New Year Everyone!

I hope you are all feeling optimistic with renewed gratitude for new beginnings.

I serendipitously discovered the book "The Art of Making Memories" by Meik Wiking, the same author of "The Little Book of Hygge." It caught my attention because I value memories. Memories carry us through difficult times in our lives. Take for instance the Covid-19 pandemic. It wasn't safe for us to travel and clearly there was that desire for adventure. On social media, many people posted their travel photos from years past with wistful captions, "Hope to do this again soon" or "Can't wait to travel again." Nostalgia was one of the ways that helped us through lockdown. 

For those we lost during the pandemic, we look back on all the lovely memories we had with them and keep these in our hearts. 

Again, nostalgia. 

We should be more mindful about creating new memories and the book has these suggestions or what Meik Wiking calls, "The Memory Manifesto." 

These are the eight ingredients for happy memories:

Make sure your memory isn't lacking in sensory richness. Be aware of what you see, smell, hear and feel when you are happy. The more of your senses -- sight, smell, hearing, taste, touch -- you can use, the more vividly you can remember; and the more cues you line up, the more likely it is that you can hold on to that memory and retrieve it.

An emotional reaction will make the experiences and moments more memorable: first kisses, getting married, traumatic events, doing something that scares us.

Retrieval is one of the best ways to strengthen a memory.

These are thoughtful suggestions and aren't hard to do, don't you agree?

Meik Wiking ends the book this way:

Let's turn this New Year from "blah to TADA!" and let's all make an effort to create lasting memories.

Welcome 2022!

Well hello there everyone and hello 2022!

Do you know one thing I love? 

Sharpening pencils.

It makes me feel in control. That even if the pencil loses its point after so much use, I just have to sharpen it and the pencil is brand new again.

I love this long point sharpener.

I love the curly wave produced by sharpening. Bonus points if it's long and ribbon-like.

I love the smell of lead. It reminds me of shopping for school supplies and the beginning of a new school year.

I love a blank page. Sure, it's intimidating. 

But if you draw some lines or make some rectangles...

Then color in the spaces...you begin to fill the page. 

Write down the year.

Instead of resolutions, I choose a word. This is my intention for 2022: SIMPLIFY.

If you'd like to know, these were my words for 2021.

Add a quote. This one is by the wise and inspiring Morgan Harper Nichols.

Then make a list. Nothing grand. Realistic but still challenging.

Just like that, I turned a blank page from "blah to TADA!"

As we begin 2022, may your pencils be sharp and may your blank pages be filled with blessings. Happy New Year!

Farewell 2021

Hi there!

Another year is coming to a close. How was 2021 for you? I hope that even if you had some blahs, you equally had wonderful TADAs! 

Thank you for your continuous support for blah to TADA!, especially all of you who've been reading and commenting over the years. I really appreciate it and I hope that you'll keep coming back. If there's anything you want me to write about, please let me know.

May 2022 be beautiful, bountiful, blessed for all of us!

A Monthly Embroidery Project

Hello there! As many of you know, I try to maintain a creative practice, blocking off a few minutes each day to make some art. It lets me play freely (no end goal in mind) and I think it improves my problem solving skills (ex. how do I draw a skyline with just one shade of paint?). 

I chanced upon "Stitch This in Your Style" sewing challenge hosted by Brianna and Krista on Instagram. On the first day of every month, they post a word that participants use as a prompt for an embroidery project.

Can I share what I made? 

January's prompt was "one word". I chose LOYALTY because it was heavy on my mind after the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. We all have our loyalties: family, friends, brands, companies we work for, sports teams, celebrities, leaders, political parties. But how far does one go to prove his or her loyalty? What if the one we are loyal to has gone against the moral standards of what we uphold, do we still remain loyal? 

The word is hand lettered and finished with embroidery. I added some bluebells because these flowers convey loyalty.  

February's prompt was DRINK. I chose to embroider a bottle of champagne and two coupes because I associate this drink with celebration and merriment.  

The prompt for March was MONOCHROME. I chose a springtime theme because spring is symbolic for new beginnings. Even with the availability of vaccines, the pandemic was still on its third and fourth wave. Yet I remain hopeful and continue to look forward to safer, better days ahead.

April's prompt was WEATHER. I embroidered partial sun, using a chain stitch for the sun and a mix of French knots and straight stitches for the cloud. I like this kind of weather because the sun's rays aren't too harsh and the conditions are just right for natural light photography. 

In May, the word was NOSTALGIA and my thoughts immediately went to childhood birthday parties. The elements look like a child's drawing of a birthday cake, balloons, sweets, invitations and gifts. I colored the blank areas using art pencils and sewed a black outline, similar to the pages of coloring book. Oh, those happy, carefree days of youth!

In June, the prompt was FAIRYTALE. I picked Lumiere, the French candelabra, from the animated version of "Beauty and the Beast." One of my favorite scenes from the film was when he sang "Be Our Guest" as he welcomed Belle into the enchanted castle.

July's prompt was HOME. When I was little, a "fancy house" meant it had to have a second floor, a swimming pool, a bathtub. We had none of that. My Papa, Mama, my two brothers and I lived in a bungalow but it had all we needed. It wasn't a fancy house but it was HOME. There was a swing attached to a fruit-bearing tree in the backyard. We always had a dog. And if a family member was out (working overtime or on a night out with friends), the light outside was always on. It meant someone was always waiting for your return.

The prompt for August was SUMMER and for me, that means a trip to the beach. I used a white piece of scrap fabric, painted it with watercolor (blue for the sky, a darker blue of the water, and a light brown for the sand). Once the paint was dry, I added embroidery and embellished with seashells (attached with hot glue) to make this little seascape.

In September, the challenge was to use MULTIMEDIA or combining embroidery with one or more art techniques. I decided to embroider on paper to make this greeting card...TADA! I used card stock, embroidery thread, and this lettering kit as a guide to sew my letters. Inside, I wrote a handwritten message and enclosed some stickers for a magical little girl.

October's prompt was timely for Halloween: MONSTERS. In the Philippines, where I grew up, there was once a horror movie called "Halimaw sa Banga" or monster living in a giant pot. You know, those big pots you'd see in a garden store or botanical garden? Every time I see a pot like that, I always wonder if there was a monster hiding inside. I would never bother to look -- too afraid of what I might find!

November's prompt was FOOD. I embroidered a Thanksgiving spread of turkey, some favorite sides like sweet potato casserole, mashed potatoes, gravy and greens (it's brussels sprouts with bacon this year) and of course, pie! I couldn't help but sew the word "thankful" for I'm extra, extra grateful for good health, family, friends, and food on the table with enough to share.

And finally for December: "one word." I chose the word PRESENT because this was my intention at the start of 2021. I wanted to be fully present and avoid being distracted (ex. watching TV while scrolling on my phone) or doing too much multi-tasking that often left me overwhelmed. I was successful 75% of the time. I would be aware and tell myself, "be present, be present!"

Do you remember in school, when teachers checked attendance? We'd say, "Present!" when our name was called? I like that, too. It means we showed up. And through anxiety, grief and frustration, I did my best to still show up this year. 

PRESENT can also mean "gift" and that's what each new days brings -- a present to be unwrapped and be grateful for. I hope to carry this mindset for the years to come.    

Thank you for reading this long post showing how I turned scrap fabric, embroidery hoops, needle and thread from "blah to TADA!" 

The New Year is a blank slate. Let's all make it colorful, creative and meaningful!

A Reindeer Paper Bag

Hello lovelies! Let me share a quick holiday gift wrapping idea with you.

It's inspired by this paper bag decorated to look like Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer. Isn't he adorable? I found it at the store and I said, "Why buy, when we can D.I.Y.?"

Presenting to you the version I made...TADA!

To make it, I used a brown paper bag, brown card stock, glitter paper (you can make a pompom for the nose instead), scissors, glue, and twine. 

With his nose so bright, Rudolph is ready for gift giving night!

Simple materials can easily be turned from blah to TADA!