Free Gouache Painting Demonstration

Avenue 9 Gallery invites you to a free Gouache Painting Demonstrationby Frank Wilson on Saturday, May 2, 4-8pm. In his "Techniques In Gouache ~ the Opaque Watercolor"Paradise artist, Frank Wilson, known as “The Painter Of Dreams,” will demonstrate how he achieves a high level of realism in Gouache landscape paintings by painting with knives, brushes, sponges and his fingers and employing masking techniques. Wilson will also show how he achieves specific atmospheric and textural effects by using specialized brushes he has made himself. Wilson explains that adding zinc white to the same pigments used in transparent watercolor paint produces opaque gouache paint. In addition to using gouache paints imported from Great Britain, Italy and Germany, Wilson prepares many of his own paints. He begins by carefully selecting and blending earth tone pigments such as umber, ocher and iron oxide. He thoroughly grinds the pigments in Gum Arabic and distilled water. Wilson’s favorite hand-made color is “Paradise Red” which employs the red earth of his backyard. The ancient Egyptians first employed gouache; they used honey to bind their pigments. Gouache was widely used in the Middle Ages for illuminated manuscripts, and it became particularly popular in the 18th century. Gouache continues to be widely used artists today who find its opacity ideal for delineating sharp focus effects and for creating rich textures. Its beautiful velvet matte finish makes possible a wide range of pastel-like effects. A selection of gouache paintings by Wilson will be on display at Avenue 9 Gallery. Visitors to the demonstration can participate in a raffle for one of Wilson’s original gouache paintings. Wilson will also offer a hands on, gouache-painting workshop at Avenue 9 on Saturday, May 30, l0am-5pm ($60 tuition fee). Call the Gallery for more details or to register for the workshop. (530) 879-1821