Willow Harmer

Contact information for Willow Harmer

Gouache Illustration

Syllabus: Categorized Gouache Syllabus

Beginning Gouache Painting for Illustration

  • CRN: 45759
  • Summer 2025
  • Prerequisites: None
  • Thursdays Sep 23–Nov 25  6:00-8:50 PM
  • In Person – Cascade Campus –  MAHB 109

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Note: Please email me for all non-urgent matters. If something urgent arises, feel free to send a text message. Kindly reserve phone calls for situations where email and texting are not possible.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Gouache (Pronounced “Gwash”) is the original illustrator’s medium with it’s own unique and wonderful features! Gouache has enjoyed a resurgence of popularity recently with social media art “challenges” and quality inexpensive introductory paint sets. This class will introduce you to skills and techniques using gouache paint for illustration and fine art. Learn to use transparent and opaque layers, color mixing techniques, brush strokes and color testing. Create a finished art piece using the techniques learned in class. 

LEARNING OUTCOMES

  • Learn how to apply gouache so you get the effect you want. 
  • Learn washes and opaque layering techniques
  • Learn illustration and composition techniques
  • Learn gradients
  • Learn color mixing and glazing

Supplies: See below

Lectures

  • Introduction to gouache: history, contemporary use, purposes, differences from other mediums, current trends
  • Composition and Theory
  • Studio Ghibli
  • Landscape Composition

Demos and Exercises

  • Learning Paint to Water Ratio, Layering, Flat application, washes, brushstrokes, blending, mixing, and glazing. 
  • Abstract “play” paintings: exploring gouache techniques without focusing on realism
  • Gradient Landscape Guided Demo
  • Fruit Guided Demo
  • Inked Animal Illustration Guided Demo
  • Portrait Guided Demo
  • Work on personal projects with individual guidance
  • Dorlands Wax, scanning, framing discussion

Gouache Supply List

Required Supplies:

Option 1 (Affordable but good) 

  • Himi “Jelly Paint” Set (at least 24 colors, comes with a palette and basic brushes)
    Note: Do NOT transport sideways once the paint is opened! It will leak everywhere!
    [Available online, not in stores – be sure to buy ahead of time to account for shipping.]
    Link: Himi Jelly Paint Set (24 colors)

Optional Additional Brushes for Option 1:

  • #1 or #2 Rigger
  • #1 Point Brush
  • #8 or #10 Round Faux Squirrel Watercolor Brush
  • Palette: Flat plastic, paper, or glass palette (or a white plate if you prefer something bigger than the included palette).

Note: Himi/Miya paints are excellent to work with, but they are not considered “professional grade” because some colors are not as lightfast. Final work may fade over time, especially if displayed long-term. However, this can also happen with expensive professional-grade gouache.

Option 2 (Higher-Quality Option, more expensive, may provide better results):

  • Gouache Paint (NOT Acryla or Acrylic Gouache)
    Suggested colors include:

    • Primary Cyan
    • Primary Magenta
    • Primary Yellow
    • Black (any)
    • Titanium White
    • Additional colors you prefer! Common helpful colors: purple, green, orange, brown. However, choose based on your personal preference!

  • Acrylic-Style Brushes (Gouache is not picky, so inexpensive brushes are fine):

    • #8 Flat Brush
    • #6 Round
    • #8 Filbert
    • #1 or #2 Rigger or Long Round Brush
    • #1 Point Brush
    • #8 or #10 Round Faux Squirrel Watercolor Brush

  • Palette:

    • Flat plastic, glass, or paper palette (or a white plate if you prefer something bigger than the included palette).

  • Storage:

    • Something to store mixed paint or an airtight palette.

Notes: I do not recommend the student grade tube gouache. If you want to use a less expensive option, the Himi sets are superior to most student grade tube sets.

Additional Required Supplies:

  • HB Pencil  – regular or mechanical.
  • Pencil Sharpener
  • Eraser (a standard white eraser or a kneaded eraser works well)
  • Variety of Black Drawing Pens (such as Ohuhu, Sakura, or any waterproof fine line drawing pens)
  • 2 Water Containers
  • Artist Tape (NOT masking tape)
  • Mixed Media or Cold-Press Watercolor Paper (at least 9×12)  – doesn’t have to be expensive cotton arches paper, but a small piece of that may be nice to experiment with at some point.
  • Sketchbook or printer paper, or cheaper mixed media paper

Optional Supplies:

  • Hair Dryer (I’ll bring one for the class, but feel free to bring your own if you’d like)
  • Cold Wax Medium (for preservation, you won’t need it until later in the course).
  • Masonite or wood board slightly larger than your paper