Gouache for Absolute Beginners | James McKay

About the workshop

Designed for the absolute beginner, this two-day workshop will introduce students to gouache, with a focus on landscape and seascape painting. Students will complete multiple paintings while being guided by James's hands on teaching method, with plenty of demonstrations, explanations and discussions along the way.

What will I learn?

• How gouache behaves in different situations.
• How to create lose 'painterly' paintings using different brushstrokes.
• Ways of laying up a gouache painting and how to approach with the layers in the painting as they get thicker.
• Looking at tone and colour interaction.
• How to use broken colour to add interest and softness to areas in the painting.
• How to apply the finishing touches to make a painting sing!

Who is this workshop suitable for?

This workshop is suited to those who have had little or no experience with gouache or would like a good grounding and understanding of the basics. 

What do I need to bring?

Use of all painting materials will be available.

Please bring your lunch and snacks or you can purchase from cafes close by.

What is provided?

• Tea and coffee (please bring your own cup)
• A friendly, supportive and encouraging learning environment
• Connection to the Bienarté art community

About the Tutor

James was born and spent most of his life on a farm in Africa where he started to paint scenes from the farm and African life. Some 20 years ago he moved to make Australia his home, and fell in love with the Australian landscape, particularly old farms, the warm soft colours and the light. This inspired him to paint more seriously.

He has been painting in watercolour for over 25 years and has been exhibiting in galleries throughout Australia and Southern Africa for the 10 years. He has won a number of awards in and around South East Queensland and has also been teaching and holding workshops for a number of years.

There is something about the Australian rural landscape that he finds particularly captivating – “I find the play of light on old fences, gum trees, old sheds and livestock quite irresistible”.

He paints loosely in watercolour using wet into wet techniques “the faster I work, the more feeling the painting has”. He does a lot of his work on site and is passionate about painting in the great outdoors.

He loves to share his joy of painting with others.