After completing my first gouache painting, I wanted to do more!

Here’s a little study of a Long-tailed Tit (Aegithalos caudatus) on cherry blossom. They have got to be one of the cutest British bird species!

I’ve got the bug for gouache paint now, I plan on doing many more wildlife inspired art pieces in this style.

Why I like gouache paint.

I really love the way I can get a graphic, digital kind of feel with this paint by layering it up and how much control I have over the paint.

It’s a mix of watercolour and acrylic. I can block in large areas by making the paint more watery, and get in some bold colours by using it neat.

Layering light on to dark is also another advantage of this paint, which is something I can’t do with watercolour paints.