Gouache Painting for Beginners
Discover how to paint beautiful artworks using gouache in this hands-on beginner-friendly course in Sydney. Gouache is a versatile and highly expressive medium known for its vibrant colour and distinctive matte finish. Often described as “opaque watercolour,” it allows artists to build layers, create bold highlights, and achieve a velvety surface that sits between watercolour and acrylic.
Throughout the course, you will explore how gouache works on its own and in combination with other media. You’ll learn foundational techniques, experiment with materials, and gain confidence painting a variety of subjects, including landscapes, still life, and wildlife.
Learning Outcomes
- Understand the properties of gouache and how it differs from watercolour and acrylic.
- Apply key techniques such as layering, opacity, and colour mixing.
- Create finished landscape, still life, and wildlife artworks using gouache.
Course Outline
- Week 1: Enhance watercolour with gouache, study artist approaches, and develop a landscape painting from reference using step-by-step techniques.
- Week 2: Explore tone, colour relationships, matte and transparent effects, and complete a still life and expressive pet or wildlife portrait.
Schedule & Pricing
- 2-session course
- Dates: 11 July – 18 July 2026
- Time: 10:00am – 4:00pm
- Fee: $429
Additional Information
- Closed-in shoes required.
- Please wear old clothes or bring an apron.
- Long hair must be tied back.
Details
You will learn
- Understand gouache properties and how it differs from other paints
- Use layering, opacity and colour mixing techniques
- Complete landscape, still life and wildlife paintings
You will get
- Most materials included in the course fee
- Step-by-step guidance from an experienced tutor
- Finished artworks to take home
Appropriate for
Beginners and painters who want to explore gouache.
Preparation
What to bring
- Closed-in shoes
- Old clothes or an apron
- Optional: your own acrylic paints
What to wear
Closed-in shoes; wear old clothes or 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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