Chicago Reader Cover

Chicago Reader Cover

For my “cover girl” moment- it’s La La Lure from Amusements on this week’s Chicago Reader. A mammoth thank you to the Chicago Reader for featuring my painting on the cover. YOWZA!

What is gouache and why do I use it?

I’ve been getting a lot of questions about the materials in my work, specifically gouache (pronounced goo-wash). Many of my works on paper utilize gouache paint, which is an opaque watercolor.  There’s a rich history of painters that used gouache such as Egon Schiele.  He’s one of the first painters I was utterly obsessed with.  For many of his works on paper he often used gouache for the washy white outlines that surrounded many of his figures.  I’ve always been mesmerized by the contrast that it created in his drawings.  Before computers, graphic designers often used gouache when they wanted flat areas of color because it’s much easier to photograph.  Gouache uses gum arabic as a binding agent like watercolor paint but the pigment particles are much larger.  Gouache is known for its ability to reflect light and for opaque strength of the paint.  I’m obsessed with the matte chalky quality of the paint. 

I use Holbein Acryla Gouache, which is a combination of acrylic, and traditional gouache. When I want the colors to be really saturated I get out the gouache.  I like the Holbein Acryla over the traditional gouache because you can draw over it and the color does not lift up when layering other art materials on top.  It’s great if you don’t want brush strokes on your painted surfaces.  Acrylic paint tends to show brush strokes more than the gouache and I can create a matte area easier. Gouache dries super fast so you have to work quickly especially if you want to cover a large area.  I try not to worry about wasting paint anymore, as that’s really part of the process.  The gouache colors tend to dry at different values then they appear when wet so matching colors can be difficult.  It takes some getting used to but after painting with it for a while I can judge how much it will change after drying.  It can be frustrating to paint precise lines and meticulous details in gouache because of the drying time.  It takes me much longer to complete detail work in the gouache vs. acrylic.  However, I need the ground that gouache creates for certain pieces I use it when necessary.  I often go over my gouache drawings with Prismacolor colored pencils. They work the best and I really don’t use other brands.  I can’t really go over acrylic paint with colored pencils.  The Acryla gouache is not as fragile as traditional gouache so it suits my process perfectly. In other words, I can beat it up and it still looks good. 

Call Dandy

Thanks to all who came out to the opening. I'm blessed with many great friends. A SPECIAL thank you to those who bought work at it helps me to continue to make more artwork. If you missed the show, don't worry, there is still a chance to...

see it. I'll be painting in the gallery today from 1-4 pm today so come and say hello to me. Art is fun!

I'll tell you a story about this piece in the show called "Call Dandy". I met a clown named Dandy at a liquor store and he tried to pick me up by giving me his business card, a clown nose. Inside of the clown nose was his phone number. I used his really phone number on the drawing so ladies take note. He's from Michigan so my Lansing friends might see him around. My cats knew exactly what to do with the clown nose as it's their favorite toy. Dandy drives a white volkswagen bug with pink polka-dots.

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Paul Klein's Review in Art Letter

We're thrilled that my exhibit Amusements got a review in Paul Klein's Art Letter.  Check out the review on the following link: artletter.com

Cotton Landy and other small drawings

Cotton Landy
8" x 5"
gouache and colored pencil on paper

Be sure to look in the portfolio on the table in the AdventureLand Gallery for Psychedelic Nuts, Popcorn, and Cotton Candy drawings. I have some fantastic new unframed small works on paper. These are perfect for a beginning art collector or if you have never bought a piece of original art. I have some great stories about a clown named Dandy that gave me his business card, a plastic clown nose. This show should be lots of fun so I hope you can come out and say hello.

Amusements Catalog

AdventureLand created an exhibition catalog of the Amusements show and anyone who buys a piece gets a free catalog.  Preview the catalog here: http://www.blurb.com/books/3634124

Amusements show web updates

Please come out and say hello during the exhibition.  I hope to see you at the opening reception on November 2, 2012 from 7-10 p.m.  If you can't make it to the opening reception I will be painting at the gallery on the Saturdays during the exhibition.  You can come see me painting on November 3rd, 10th, and the 17th from 1-4 p.m.  I hope you can make it out to see this exhibit as I'm really excited to show you the new work.  You can preview my new work for the Amusements show online.  http://reneerobbins.com/amusements.html  

La La Lure, 11" x 8", gouache and colored pencil on paper, 2012