![A sunny landscape in Australia with a small river flowing through a limestone gorge - a gouache painting done as part of my online learning.](https://i0.wp.com/margarethallfineart.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/20201118_103701.jpg?resize=525%2C372&ssl=1)
Good morning, everyone. I’d like to tell you about the online learning that I’ve been spending time on these past two weeks. Well, it was a free five day challenge. But I could take my time with it and that was much more doable. Actually, it was very well structured and each unit was almost self contained.
The Colour Mixing
![](https://i0.wp.com/margarethallfineart.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/20201106_091457.jpg?resize=525%2C744&ssl=1)
So, we started off experimenting with colour mixing using a restricted palette – ultramarine blue ( my favourite ! ) , crimson red and yellow ochre. The yellow ochre was a bit of a surprise as the primary yellow. However, I was pleasantly surprised by how many lovely colours I could mix with this combination. Of course, white was also allowed. In fact, the main benefit of this exercise for me was that I actually sat down and did the chart. To be honest, I’ve always been too lazy to do it before!
Online Learning – the Tonal Sketch
![A quick sketch of the landscape in black, white and grey to show the light and shade, part of the online learning.](https://i0.wp.com/margarethallfineart.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/20201108_102538.jpg?resize=525%2C477&ssl=1)
Again, for me this was very helpful. Because I am always in too much of a hurry to plan out a light and shade version of my subject. Despite knowing that it is a Good Thing to do ! Anyway, we concentrated on five tones between light and dark. As you can see, I struggled with the ones in the middle. But, my excuse is that gouache paint is quite difficult sometimes. In fact, it can dry a different shade from the one you thought you had mixed.
![](https://i0.wp.com/margarethallfineart.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/20201108_145835.jpg?resize=525%2C363&ssl=1)
Again, this section of the process was done quite methodically, instead of haphazardly, which is my usual method of working. In my own defence, I am a self-taught artist and it’s good to get some proper tuition.
The Finished Painting
![](https://i0.wp.com/margarethallfineart.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/20201118_103701-1.jpg?resize=525%2C372&ssl=1)
Finally, after two more excellent sessions, I produced this thoroughly finished off gouache painting of a summer landscape in Australia. I really did enjoy the online learning and the end product. And, I must say a big thank you to Rod Moore of the Learn to Paint Academy see here . Imagine, all this top class tuition was a fab free gift and I appreciate that. Happy Painting!
If you would like to see more of my attempts at showing light and shade in the landscape , see here . There’s another bright, sunny woodland scene in that post too, to cheer us all up!