Gouache Painting for Beginners
Discover how to paint beautiful artworks using gouache in this hands-on beginners course in Sydney. Gouache is a versatile and highly expressive medium, often described as "opaque watercolour," known for its vibrant colour and distinctive matte finish. It allows artists to build layers, create bold highlights, and achieve a velvety surface that sits between watercolour and acrylic.
In this practical two-week course, you will explore how gouache works on its own and in combination with other media. Develop foundational techniques, experiment with materials, and gain confidence painting a variety of subjects including landscapes, still life, and wildlife. You will also be introduced to influential artists and approaches that demonstrate the flexibility of this medium.
Course Outline
- Enhancing watercolour with gouache: Add detail, highlights and opacity to enrich paintings, inspired by artists such as William T. Cooper.
- Landscape painting: Work from photographic reference, starting with pencil sketch and watercolour underpainting, then build depth and texture with gouache.
- Still life and expressive subjects: Explore tone, colour relationships and materials while creating still life and wildlife or pet portraits.
Schedule
- 2-week course
- Saturday 11 July – Saturday 18 July 2026
- 10:00am – 4:00pm
Additional Information
- Content may vary depending on class pace and participant interests.
Details
You will learn
- Understand gouache properties and how it differs from watercolour and acrylic
- Apply layering, opacity and colour mixing techniques
- Create landscape, still life and wildlife paintings using gouache
You will get
- Most art materials provided
- Step-by-step guidance from an experienced tutor
- Completed gouache artworks to take home
Appropriate for
Beginners and those with some painting experience who want to explore gouache.
Preparation
What to bring
- Closed-in shoes
- Old clothes or an apron
- Acrylic paints (optional, if preferred)
What to wear
Closed-in shoes; wear old clothes or bring an apron
Your Teacher
Sydney Community College
38 reviewsSydney Community College is a registered charity with a voluntary Board of Directors.
The College has a mission to offer innovative continuing adult education and training programmes that support individual efforts and facilitate sustainable social change.
We do this by:
- Providing quality continuing adult education opportunities for people to build practical and theoretical skills and develop knowledge;
- Leveraging from and developing community capacity and inclusivity;
- Developing innovative affordable and accessible skills training programmes;
- Partnering with like organisations to deliver learning opportunities for disadvantaged individuals and communities;
- Partnering with all levels of government to deliver education policy objectives.
Cancellations & Refunds
If the organiser cancels the class:
You are entitled to a full refund.
If you can't attend the class:
You’re welcome to send someone in your place.
OR
- A refund can be requested 10 days before class starts. An admin fee of AU$45.00 applies.
Terms & Conditions
At Sydney Community College, we know that plans can change unexpectedly. Whether it’s a shift in your schedule, a family emergency, or just a change of heart, we want to support you in the fairest way possible.
At the same time, we’re a not-for-profit organisation that commits resources to running each class—so last-minute cancellations can significantly impact our ability to offer quality, affordable programs.
That’s why we’ve created a simple, transparent policy that balances your need for flexibility with our need to plan and deliver courses sustainably. Our cancellation policy offers two clear options, depending on when you notify us:
Cancel More Than 10 Days Before the Course Starts – You can choose to receive a full refund, minus a $45 administration fee OR a non-refundable credit note valid for 12 months for the full value you paid for the course. This credit can be used towards any future course at the College.
Option 2: Cancel Within 10 Days of the Course Starting - You’ll receive a credit note valid for 12 months for 50% of the course fee you paid for the course. This credit can be used towards any future course at the College.
Please note that both refund and credit options are only available before the course begins. Once the course has started—or if you decide to withdraw after it has commenced—no refunds or credits can be issued. If you need to cancel your enrolment, just email us and we’ll take care of it based on the timelines above.
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Gouache Painting for Beginners
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