{"id":30631,"date":"2019-04-12T14:00:53","date_gmt":"2019-04-12T14:00:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/?page_id=30631"},"modified":"2026-04-07T13:15:34","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T13:15:34","slug":"gouache-painting-candy","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/gouache-painting-candy","title":{"rendered":"Gouache Painting &#8211; Candy"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"coursetitlecontainer\">\n<div class=\"coursetitle\">\n<h1>Candy Painting with Gouache<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"coursetitledes\"><span>CLASS<\/span><i class=\"far fa-chart-bar\" style=\"margin-left:10px; margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Advanced<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"insertbackground\">\n<div class=\"removep\">\n<div class=\"videoflexwrapper\">\n<div class=\"videotop\">\n  <iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/339985786?h=12e568743f\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sidebartop\">\n<div class=\"vertalign\">\n<div class=\"logoimage\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/logosmall75.png\"><\/div>\n<p>\n    <div class=\"sidebarcarddescriptiondark\">\n<span>JOIN THE VIRTUAL INSTRUCTOR<\/span><br>\n    Get ALL of our courses, ebooks, live lessons, critiques, lesson plans and more today.\n<\/div>\n    <\/p>\n<div class=\"sidebarbuttonholder\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"sidebuttonsmem\">START FREE TRIAL<\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"separator\" style=\"margin-top:1em;\">or<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/register-ll-candy\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"sidebuttons\">BUY CLASS $67<\/div>\n<p><\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"courseperkscontainer\">\n<div class=\"courseperks\"><span>This lesson series features:<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"courseperks\"><i class=\"far fa-clock\" style=\"margin-right:10px;\"><\/I>9 Hours of Instruction<\/div>\n<div class=\"courseperks\"><i class=\"fas fa-film\" style=\"margin-right:10px;\"><\/I>8 Videos<\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<p>\n\n<div class=\"contentfix\">\n<div class=\"favorites\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tabs\">\n<p> <input name=\"tabs\" type=\"radio\" id=\"tab-1\" class=\"input\"\/><br \/>\n  <label for=\"tab-1\" class=\"label\">Lessons <i class=\"fas fa-angle-down\" style=\"margin-left:2px;\"><\/i><\/label><\/p>\n<div class=\"panel\">\n<h2>Lessons<\/h2>\n\n<\/p>\n<p><div class=\"curriculumcontainer\">\n<a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"fas fa-lock\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 1: (1:08:48)<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"fas fa-lock\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 2: (1:07:40)<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"fas fa-lock\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 3: (1:06:09)<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"fas fa-lock\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 4: (1:09:43)<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"fas fa-lock\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 5: (1:07:52)<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"fas fa-lock\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 6: (1:06:23)<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"fas fa-lock\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 7: (1:07:35)<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"fas fa-lock\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 8: (1:57:00)<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<p><input name=\"tabs\" type=\"radio\" id=\"tab-2\" checked=\"checked\" class=\"input\"\/><br \/>\n  <label for=\"tab-2\" class=\"label\">About <i class=\"fas fa-angle-down\" style=\"margin-left:2px;\"><\/i><\/label><\/p>\n<div class=\"panel\">\n<h2>About This Lesson Series...<\/h2>\n<p>\nThe <em>Gouache Painting: Candy<\/em> lesson series is an engaging and richly guided exploration of how to paint a vibrant still life of candy using gouache paints. Spanning eight lessons, this series leads students through a complete painting process that emphasizes thoughtful planning, confident color mixing, and expressive brushwork. Gouache, with its ability to combine opaque layers and watercolor-like washes, is an ideal medium for capturing both texture and color in this whimsical subject. Throughout the series, you\u2019ll learn how to handle the medium with control, build depth and form, and refine details so that your finished painting feels cohesive and expressive.\n<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/MMsBagGouacheFinished.jpg\" alt=\"Gouache painting of a bag of candy\"><\/p>\n<h2>Observation and Planning<\/h2>\n<p>\nThe first step in the series focuses on developing a clear understanding of the subject and composing a successful painting. Observation is emphasized as students learn to see not just colors but the relationships between shapes, light, and shadow. Thoughtful composition and planning help establish a roadmap for the rest of the process, ensuring that you make intentional choices from the outset rather than reacting at each stage. This helps create a foundation that supports stronger paint layers and a more compelling final image.\n<\/p>\n<h2>Establishing Structure and Value<\/h2>\n<p>\nOnce the composition is established, the series transitions into exploring the value structure of the candy still life. Using light watercolor-like washes of gouache, students begin to suggest the underlying light and shadow relationships of the objects before committing to bold color. This early tonal work builds clarity and helps simplify the complex subject into manageable visual information. Establishing value first helps guide later decisions about color and contrast, giving the painting a solid sense of depth.\n<\/p>\n<h2>Color, Harmony, and Blocking In<\/h2>\n<p>\nAs the painting develops, attention turns to blocking in local color and building harmonious relationships across the composition. Students learn how to mix bold, saturated gouache hues that reflect the vibrant nature of candy, while also creating color harmony that feels intentional and balanced. Layering color gradually allows for adjustments while maintaining clarity and luminosity in the paint layers. This is a key stage where the painting begins to take on a recognizable form.\n<\/p>\n<h2>Building Depth and Form<\/h2>\n<p>\nWith color in place, the next emphasis is on developing form and volume. Gouache\u2019s opacity becomes a powerful tool for modeling the shapes of the candy and packaging, creating subtle transitions between light and shadow. By layering controlled washes and opaque strokes, students learn how to suggest three-dimensionality and weight in their subjects. There is also a focus on how to handle reflective surfaces and edges in ways that enhance realism without losing the expressive quality of gouache.\n<\/p>\n<h2>Refining Details and Texture<\/h2>\n<p>\nAs the piece progresses, students refine details and explore texture more deeply, adding highlights, adjusting values, and strengthening contrasts where needed. Techniques such as softening edges, sharpening focal points, and introducing small accents help elevate the painting beyond a basic study. Attention to texture \u2014 from glossy candy surfaces to crinkled packaging \u2014 brings life and personality to the composition.\n<\/p>\n<h2>Final Enhancements and Cohesion<\/h2>\n<p>\nIn the final stages, students concentrate on unifying the entire painting. Through subtle adjustments in value, color, and edge quality, the series teaches how to bring all parts of the composition into harmony. Final enhancements might include strengthening key highlights, balancing warm and cool tones, and refining transitions so the painting feels polished and complete. These finishing touches help ensure that the painting feels visually cohesive and satisfying.\n<\/p>\n<h2>Complete Gouache Workflow<\/h2>\n<p>\nBy the end of the <em>Gouache Painting: Candy<\/em> series, students will have created a fully resolved still life that showcases their growing mastery of gouache. This series not only teaches specific techniques for working with color, value, and texture, but also helps artists develop a confident workflow \u2014 from early observational planning through to thoughtful refinement and finish. The skills gained here are widely applicable to many subjects, making this an excellent study for anyone looking to deepen their gouache practice.\n<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>  <input name=\"tabs\" type=\"radio\" id=\"tab-3\" class=\"input\"\/><br \/>\n  <label for=\"tab-3\" class=\"label\">Resources <i class=\"fas fa-angle-down\" style=\"margin-left:2px;\"><\/i><\/label><\/p>\n<div class=\"panel\">\n<h2>Resources for this Lesson...<\/h2>\n\n<\/p>\n<h4>References<\/h4>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><i class=\"fas fa-lock\" style=\"margin-right:10px;\"><\/I>Photo Reference<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><i class=\"fas fa-lock\" style=\"margin-right:10px;\"><\/I>Finished Result<\/a><\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<p><input name=\"tabs\" type=\"radio\" id=\"tab-4\" class=\"input\"\/><br \/>\n  <label for=\"tab-4\" class=\"label\">Materials <i class=\"fas fa-angle-down\" style=\"margin-left:10px;\"><\/i><\/label><\/p>\n<div class=\"panel\">\n<h2>Here's what you'll need...<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>140 lb Cold Press Watercolor Paper<\/li>\n<li>Hard Graphite Pencil<\/li>\n<li>Soft Graphite Pencil<\/li>\n<li>Gouache Paints<\/li>\n<li>Nylon Brushes<\/li>\n<li>Kneaded eraser<\/li>\n<li>Water<\/li>\n<li>Masking Tape<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sidebarbottom\">\n<div class=\"relatedcourse\">Your Instructor<\/div>\n<div class=\"instructor\">\n<div class=\"instructorimage\">\n<div class=\"instructorpic\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/images\/mattauthor.jpg\" alt=\"Matt Fussell - Instructor\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"instructorname\">Matt Fussell<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"instructordes\">\n<p>Founder of The Virtual Instructor, artist and teacher. Matt makes learning art easy to understand and enjoyable.<\/p>\n<p><div style=\"padding-top:10px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/blog\/author\/admin\">Learn more about Matt<\/a><\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relatedcoursescontainer\">\n<div class=\"relatedcourse\">Related Courses and Classes<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/horse-race-with-gouache\" class=\"sidebarbottom-curriculum\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"leftlean\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Horse Race with Gouache<\/div>\n<div class=\"rightlean\" style=\"background-image: url('https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Horse-Race-with-Gouache-400.jpg');\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/still-life-with-gouache\" class=\"sidebarbottom-curriculum\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"leftlean\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Still Life with Gouache<\/div>\n<div class=\"rightlean\" style=\"background-image: url('https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Gouache-Still-Life-Painting-Lesson-Series.jpg');\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/painting-water-with-gouache\" class=\"sidebarbottom-curriculum\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"leftlean\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Boat with Gouache<\/div>\n<div class=\"rightlean\" style=\"background-image: url('https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/Paintingwaterwithgouachepart6small.jpg');\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<p><\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<p><script>\nfunction myFunction(x) {\n  if (x.matches) { \/\/ If media query matches\n    radiobtn = 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Spanning eight lessons, this series leads students through a complete painting process that emphasizes thoughtful planning, confident [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"paget-iframe.php","meta":{"footnotes":""},"tags":[],"class_list":["post-30631","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/30631","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=30631"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/30631\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":46484,"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/30631\/revisions\/46484"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=30631"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=30631"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}