Art Journaling with Shari Carroll: Gouache Painted Background

Welcome everyone!!! Its Shari here trying out some Gouache paints for a colorful background. I’ve never tried them before so I picked up the Paper Fashion Set 2 from American Crafts. This background was a practice sheet that I ended up liking, so into my journal it went. 

You may be asking yourself, what are Gouache paints? They are opaque watercolors that have a few fantastic qualities about them. You can water them down like watercolors or use them straight from the tube. You can layer colors on top of each other, even lights over darks!! You can paint over pencil lines without the need to erase. They dry flat with a matte finish. Oh.. and they remain water reactive even once they’ve dried! 

I started off trying a watered down wash then continued building color on top. I mixed my colors as I went just to see how they worked. Just playing with them to create a colorful background gave me an idea of how different they are from watercolors.

I was also wondering how they differ from acrylic paints. One thing that stood out was how they dry, I didn’t have any brush strokes, they dry flat. Clean-up is much easier and you can use all your watercolor brushes with them.  And finally, you can easily journal over them since they don’t leave a coated finish. 

Once I had my background glued in place in my journal, I added splats of Paper Fashion Pearl Liquid Metal for a bit of shine. From there I went about decorating the page with die cuts and gems. 

WATCH THE VIDEO:

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Ranger Dylusions SMALL CREATIVE FLIP…
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American Crafts Paper Fashion SET 2…
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American Crafts Paper Fashion CERAMIC…
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American Crafts Paper Fashion PEARL…
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American Crafts Paper Fashion…
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American Crafts Paper Fashion ROUND…
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Simon Says Stamp HYDRANGEA PETALS…
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Simon Says Stamp YOU Wafer Dies…
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Simon Says Stamp OUTLINE CLUSTERED…
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Tonic CRYSTAL GEMS Nuvo Pure Sheen…
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Tonic WATER DROPLETS Nuvo Pure Sheen…
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Dina Wakley Ranger COTTON WATERCOLOR…
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Simon Says Stamp SENTIMENT STRIPS 4…
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Simon Says Stamp VELLUM SSSVEL12
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Tonic SILVER SILK Luxury Embossed A4…
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Neenah Classic Crest 110 LB SMOOTH…
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Simon Says Stamp CRAFT TACKY GLUE…
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Fineline Applicators 20 Gauge…
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E6000 4 OUNCE Spray Adhesive 30111
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Spellbinders DEEP SEA Die Cutting and…
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Tim Holtz Tonic GUILLOTINE COMFORT…
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  1. Wow….just wow…that gouache painting is just stunning, Shari! I can now see I need something else on my paint shelf! Those colors – beautiful – and for a trial page…yum! Love how the whole page came together…Total inspiration – thanks!

  2. Watching you create is absolutely mesmerizing. I’ve never used gouache paint before, in fact I don’t think I’ve ever heard of it, but it looks wonderful. Your background is stunning.

  3. This is stunning Shari, I love how you made the background and I am still in love with the leaves die. Thank you so much for showing this awesome project.

  4. Wow! Beautiful background and looks easy to do. Love that leaf die and all the embellishments you added.

  5. Beautiful as always and it’s always good to learn about new products, or new to me products!

  6. Beautiful journal page!!! Love the colorful background, and the bling just ties it all together!!! ? Watercolors tend to intimidate me, but watching you makes me want to push myself to practice more with them!!! Thank you so much for sharing!!! ???️

  7. Thanks for the explanation of what Gouache is – I’ve always wondered but kept forgetting to look it up. Your page is lovely!

  8. I love the softness in these colours. Thank you for commenting on the difference from acrylic paints as I was wondering the same thing!

  9. I’ve never heard of Gouache paints before, but oh, your background is fabulous with all of the opaque soft coloured layers. Thanks for the video. I always enjoy your process.

  10. Hi Shari,

    Question about the gouache: Do you think the Prima Marketing Gouache sold by Simon now is on par to what you used in this video by American Craft (which is no longer carried by Simon it appears). I loved the colors in the American Craft palette.

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