THE MINNESOTA SCHOOL OF BOTANICAL ART

THE MINNESOTA SCHOOL OF BOTANICAL ART
SUMAC DRUPES IN GOUACHE
Linda Medved Lufkin
In this class, we will explore technique of painting Sumac bobs (the dense conical cluster of
small red drupes at the end of the branches. If you are interested in taking on the fuzzy
stems and the small fruit of this subject in a new medium this class is for you. Gouache is an
opaque watercolor paint. Whereas transparent watercolors allow you to see the "white" of
the paper below the paint, gouache can be applied in solid colors. This allows an artist to
paint in layers from dark to light.
I use Winsor Newton Designers Gouache and Schmincke Artist Gouache found at Wet Paint in
St. Paul.
M. Graham Artist’s Gouache is supposed to be good too though I haven’t used them yet.
Turner Design Gouache was also recommended to me and it can be found online.
Just make sure that you avoid the Holbein Designers Gouache (at Wet Paint) as it has an acrylic
binder that prevents it from become soluble once it is dry and will dry hard on your pallet.
One tube each:
Ultramarine Blue
Cadmium Yellow middle
Scarlet
Madder Lake deep
Yellow Ochre
Raw Umber
Van Dyke Brown
Ivory Black
White
Transparent Watercolors:
Quinacridone Red (warm) Daniel Smith. We’ll use this to get the high saturation in the sumac
berries.
Round Brushes (one each):
Size #3, #2, #0, #00, #000 Synthetic is fine as long as they are a good quality.
I use a combination of Winsor Newton Series 7 sable, Escado Prado Sintetico #0 and Silver
Ruby Satin #2 25005 all at Wet Paint
A small flat synthetic for lifting
Papers: 1 sheet 300 lb. hot press Fabriano Artistico watercolor paper, cut into 11” x 14” or
14”x 17” pieces.
Scrap watercolor paper for testing colors
Tracing paper
Optional: Sketch Pad for notes and sketches, size 11” x 14” thought you can use tracing paper
too.
Pencils (F, 2H, 4H, 2B) and Pencil Sharpener
Kneaded Eraser
Masking Fluid with a narrow tip -don’t get the type you have to use a brush with
2 Containers for Water
2 Small cheep white plastic palette for mixing colors –round, with covers
A larger white ceramic plate for a pallett
Paper towels
Artist Low-tack Tape
Clamping device to hold up subject: I use an articulated clamping device called Helping Hands
found at Ax Man on University Ave. in St. Paul
Magnifying glass
Measuring device
You will be provided the dried specimen harvested the previous fall.
LOCAL ART STORES:
Artworks, Excelsior 952/474-5000
Wet Paint, St. Paul 651/698-6431
Clamping Device from Ax Man – Approximately $8