An Intro to Gouache with Jared Cullum
Gouache is a versatile medium great for those who love bold colors and layering paint!
By The Art Toolkit Team
This is a live recording from our live demo, An Intro to Gouache, with gouache and watercolor artist Jared Cullum on November 6th, 2024. Gouache is a versatile medium great for those who love bold colors and layering paint! When combined with a touch of vegetable glycerine, this opaque paint can be squeezed into our stainless steel pans and re-hydrated with just a little water—perfect for on-location sketching. But how can we use it in our daily sketching practice? How is it different from watercolor?
In this demo, Jared discussed the fundamentals of gouache and an approach to painting that takes advantage of the medium for fast and responsive sketching. To visualize the strength and appeal of gouache, Jared prepared a small worksheet for participants to follow and learn how to use gouache and how it varies from other media. He has been using our palettes for years, and we are so grateful for his guidance and tips for sketching with gouache!
Demo Supplies
Jared recommends having the following on hand to paint along.
Gouache: A red, yellow, and blue of your choice, plus a neutral brown and a black
Brush: A flat brush (~1”), a round brush (size 6-12): the bigger the better for starting!
Paper: Hot press paper of any brand or your favorite sketchbook
Mixing space: Mixing Pans or a white plate!
Jared’s Favorite Supplies
Paints
Jared's preferred brand* of gouache is M Graham. Here is his list of go-to colors: Azo Yellow, Napthol Red, Alizarin Crimson, Ultramarine, Cobalt Blue, Cerulean, Yellow Ochre, Burnt Sienna, Burnt Umber, Ivory Black
*We have linked Daniel Smith equivalents when possible, as we stock them in our shop!
Paper
Arches 140lb hot press Crescent 100 or 101 illustration board or most any hot press sketchbook
Brushes
Jared uses a 1” flat for 90% of his paintings but also enjoys Raphael Kaerrel’s 3/4 flat, size 12 round, and size 6 round. Using big brushes helps you avoid getting caught up in minor details.
About Jared Cullum
Jared Cullum is an award-winning author-cartoonist and plein air painter living in Pittsburgh, PA. He has written and illustrated story and concept art for young adult and children’s stories for Jim Henson Productions, IDW, Insight Editions, and others specializing in a hand-painted watercolor style. Jared regularly posts lessons and demonstrations on the YouTube channel “Jared Loves to Draw” and is an avid outdoor painter and teacher of plein air and figure watercolor painting.
Since 2007, she has filled over 85 sketchbooks, documenting her life and travels across 30+ countries. Her sketchbooks serve as a visual journal, recording the quiet beauty of everyday moments alongside the captivating scenes from her global travels, always ready to capture life as it unfolds.
We first saw Jared’s art in his illustrated novel, Kodi, nearly two years ago. After featuring his art and book, Jared joined us as a workshop instructor and now as a guest in our live demo series. We are so grateful for all that he has shared with us and the Art Toolkit Community! Follow along with his artwork and classes on his website and social media.
Jared Cullum
Website | Social Media
