Studio Log: Gouache Daffodil sketches

I’ve been using my sketchbook to try to figure out my ideal gouache painting process. I quite like outlining my main shapes in a color that contrasts the main focal points. In this quick sketch I’ve used a cerulean blue opposite gamboge and hansa yellow blend (all M. Graham gouache). The outlines give me a map to follow. I find when it’s just a pencil sketch it doesn’t take me long to lose track of the lines, and then I get lost. I also like to leave a bit of the outlines showing to bring a little energy and contrast into the piece.

With this gouache sketch I noticed that the paper was absorbing quite a lot of water and affecting my paint flow. As I was struggling I remembered Dina Brodsky mentioning that she uses acrylic ink as a first layer in her sketchbook and that it seals the paper. I decided to pick up some inks to experiment with to see if it helps paint flow better on the page.