Gouache Painting Workshop

What is Gouache?

Gouache is a beautiful matte watercolor paint, characterized by an opaque surface. It was used as early as the 9th century in Persian miniature painting and was commonly employed by artists up through the 1950’s. Instructor Leslie Van Stavern Millar taught herself to paint with gouache in the 1970’s about the time gouache fell out of favor with contemporary artists. It is currently undergoing a revival. Artists are attracted to gouache’s lovely colors, water solubility, non-toxic odor, easy clean up and versatile applications. With nearly fifty years experience in painting gouache on paper, Leslie is uniquely prepared to familiarize you with the paint at whatever level you are.

Schedule and Details:

(9:00am-12:00pm) Morning Session: An introduction to this versatile water media. Leslie will relay her experience using the media in a variety of applications. We will start with a brief slide show and demonstration of techniques. Students will then practice using provided materials.

(12:00pm-12:45pm) Lunch break and conversation (lunch provided)

(12:45-3:15pm) Afternoon Session: Students will work on a smaller scale project of their own. Option to start from scratch with materials provided or bring in an ongoing project to work with under supervision.

(3:15pm-4:00pm) Conclusion: We will share what we have been working on at the end of the day. I will be available to help you plan for the next step in your exploration and use of the gouache. 

Materials:

The workshop will provide paper, gouache paint, palettes, brushes and pencils to use on site. You may wish to bring your own shallow paint saucers or palette with wells so you can bring home any color blends you make during the workshop session. You are also welcome to bring any of your own materials (gouache paints, paintbrushes, gouache works-in-progress, etc) to use if you like. We will provide a recommended materials list and suggest on-line vendors for those of you who want to purchase their own materials prior to or after the workshop.

About the Instructor:

Leslie Van Stavern Millar lived in Iran for four years as a child and became fascinated by Persian Miniature painting. In 1972 she graduated from Mount Holyoke College with a degree in Studio Art and Biology. As an adult artist in Montana she taught herself how to paint with gouache on paper in the mid 1970's in order to emulate the artwork she had seen in Iran. Leslie has exhibited her gouache paintings in numerous museum and gallery exhibits since that time.

Images from Top Left (courtesy of Leslie Van Stavern Millar): Gouache painting supplies; Heavenly Visions (2022); Shah-en-Shah: Memory, Dream, Reflection (2026); Flathead Cherry Orchard (1996); Hand of Fatima #10 (2025).