Spotlight Art: Gouache and Mixed-Media Painting

We worked with Spotlight Artist Courtney Hitt to film her mixed-media painting project in lieu of an in-person workshop.

Local artist and art advocate Courtney Hitt was scheduled to demonstrate and lead a workshop this summer at Plano Public Library. As libraries are closed, and programs have moved into a virtual platform, we worked with Hitt to record her mixed-media project, sharing her expertise and style.

Hitt is speaking throughout the entire video, so either listen with the audio on or follow along with closed captions.

Supplies Used

Here is a list of some of the supplies Hitt used during this class. You can generally find these items at art and craft stores like Michael’s, Hobby Lobby, Blick Art, Asel Art Supply and Amazon.

Related Learning

Gouache: a Personal View

by Pamela Kay

Available as a print book

Artist Pamela Kay’s gouache paintings have garnered fame for their striking use of color and richness. She highlights the differences between gouache and other forms, particularly emphasizing the importance of draftsmanship.

The Artist’s Handbook: Acrylics & Gouache

Barron’s Educational Series

Modern acrylics, which are plastic-based pigments, offer artists many of the same possibilities and effects as the more traditional gouache paints, which are opaque water-based pigments. This manual offers detailed instruction on creating paintings in both media.

Color Mixing Bible

by Ian Sidaway

Available as a print book

This invaluable guide features scores of tips and techniques for color mixing with oils, acrylics, watercolors, inks, pastels, and virtually every other art medium. It also includes in-depth information on how to determine the opacity and strength of a color, choose a color palette, mix whites, arrange and organize colors prior to mixing, use optical and physical mixing techniques, and much more.

Art Lab for Kids

by Susan Schwake

Available as a print book

A refreshing source of ideas for creating fine art with children, Art Lab for Kids encourages the artist’s own voice, marks, and style.

Interested in learning more about color theory? Check out our Plano Learns: Color Theory virtual program blog post, with a step-by-step activity to learn more about color theory and mixing colors.