combining reference photos, painting a frog, and trying new gouache

Hi friends! I finally cracked open the box of Turner gouache I bought last fall to review. I have been picking through several brands of gouache to see what I like best and based on my first painting with these I really like them. They were easy to use, mixed well, and worked for the techniques I like most which is working from watery to thicker layers. They are affordable too which is a plus. I need to paint with them a bit more but then I will post a review. They are a good contender in the pro gouache range and a better way to spend $40-$50 vs. a jelly gouache set. That’s not really the point of today’s post though. Today I am combining a couple reference photos taken 4 months apart in different countries to create this painting:

You can find a real-time lesson for this painting in Critique Club. Here is the time-lapse version:

Supplies (affiliate links used)

• Turner gouache set of 18 (this Shinhan set is also a great option.)

• Meeden ceramic palette on Amazon, or use coupon code Lindsay10 at the Meeden website to save 10%

• Golden taklon brushes

• Toned Tan mixed media paper

The next time you can’t find the perfect reference for what you want to paint consider combining reference photos to make what you want. You can do it! Happy crafting!