#damn I miss painting..motivation pls come home I miss u

[marrymeserizawa]

I really love how you paint with gouache, it looks like it's digital and the colors are so fine like it's a matte sticker, so smooth and soft lol So.... I bought (cheap like $20) gouache like you and omg it's so much fun ahhh 😭😭😭 and it looks so pretty, I was wondering if you had any tips? I've been layering (like stacking) paint but it cracks when it drys... 🧍idk I'm nervous haha, anyway love your art!!!! 💖💖

!! I’m flattered you were inspired enough to pick up a new medium:’0 it’s got it’s fair share of challenges but yes! The colors make it very fun for sure^^

And I am by no means an expert myself haha but I can definitely impart some tips. •Firstly though- The paint I use is acryla gouache which (as the name suggests) has an acrylic binder and cannot be reactivated with water like traditional gouache. I have most experience with acrylic paint myself so this type was a perfect fit for me. Based on the “cracking” you’ve described I suspect the paint you bought is traditional gouache. The trick with that kind is finding the right paint-to-water ratio, if you pick up too much pigment you might get that cake-y texture after drying. When you mix, aim for a ‘creamy’ texture that’s not goopy on your brush when you apply (just start light and paint square or scale exercises until you find the right balance👍 something easy as you get used to this new medium) •The paper you use may also be a factor. I used a sturdy and fairly inexpensive canson mixed media type when I first started(took the paint surprisingly well tbh) and then moved to different watercolor ones (tried pretty expensive types too only to hate em lmao) Cold-press fluid 100 watercolor paper has become my personal favorite. •this last note is not so much a tip but since you like my approach to gouache, maybe it’ll provide some insight? My own notes-to-self when I paint lol:

But! It’s a pretty versatile medium and it all comes down to your own preferences ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ it’s up to you to find out what you like as you experiment- hope you have fun with it!