I’ve recently picked up a new hobby, gouache. I’ve dabbled in other mediums before, but I’ve never quite fallen head over heels until now. Lately, I’ve been carving out a couple of hours each weekend to just paint. I rarely have a plan, instead I let the subject of the day choose me. Something simple, approachable, and fun.
At first, it was just play, a chance to get comfortable with a new medium. But what started as casual fun has quietly turned into a small obsession. I now look forward to this weekend ritual. It is my little pocket of calm, with a sprinkle of creativity and a lot of joy. It’s my time to de-stress and enjoy the process, without any expectations.
Gouache feels both familiar and excitingly different. It plays beautifully with pencils yet has a life of its own. Slowly, I’m falling for it. While it will never replace my beloved pencils, I’m learning to embrace the difference. This medium is forgiving, playful, and entirely for me.
Interestingly, gouache is teaching me new ways to approach my pencil work too. I’m thinking less about tiny details and more about tones, contrast, and mood. My recent drawings feel livelier, more dynamic, more alive. Gouache challenges me to see and create differently, and I can’t wait to see where this love story takes me.