Over the past couple of months I have been busy working on a new book, which means I am madly leaping from one subject to another. Somehow I ended up choosing a chicken to demonstrate the different qualities of watercolor and Gouache. I hope to have the book finished before the end of the year. A step by step guide to painting this chicken will feature in book. It combines clear washes of watercolor and the opaque flatness of gouache to get that fantastic contrast between glowing transparency and flat, velvety gouache.
This type of subject is a lot of fun, I love the contrast between fine detail and loose abstraction. The face of the chicken leaves nothing to the imagination, but as the eye moves down the neck, things get a little out of control – just like a chicken tearing around in a chicken coop.
French Ultramarine Blue, Permanent Alizarin, Windsor Red, and Quinacridone Gold with White Gouache provided all the necessary colors.
A few one stroke brushes and a rigger took care of the detail and the 1/2 inch bristle brush made all the mess.
The book should be available towards the end of the year. As soon as it’s out I will put a link on my website
Splashing Paint 
love this! chickens are so gorgeous. i love that you shared all the brushes and colors needed to paint this. maybe one day i will give it a try.
Great to hear that you are publishing a book, I look forward to it.
I have your Splashing Paint DVD which is great – any chance of the advanced DVD in the future?
Hi Lynne,
I have been slowly working on the new DVD, but still a lot of editing and voice over to be done.
I’ll let you know when it’s finished.
John
Cool, I’m glad to hear your madly leaping around the studio. I have been kind of expecting that you would come out with a new book soon or DVD, and this is great news.
Hi Joe,
I’m hoping to have the book out by the end of the year.
I’ll let you know via my website and this blog as soon as it’s finished.
Cheers
John
What a wonderful surprise!I’m looking forward to this new book!I have all your DVD’s and have just discovered your blog,and really enjoy your teaching.Do you think you’ll ever organise a workshop in Spain?
Hi Anne,
Glad you are enjoying DVD’s and the blog. I would love to do a workshop in Spain. No plans at the moment, but sometime in the future for sure.
John
Hi I was wondering if you ever do workshops in melbourne love your work
Hi Anne,
No workshops arranged for Melbourne at the moment but I will be doing a workshop in Maldon, Vic in November.
I will put the details on my website
Cheers
John