Painting the Winter Scene in Gouache (Online Workshop) Winter 2026 w/ Mike Hernandez

January 29 to February 12 (Thursdays), 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM, Eastern Time

**All sessions are live and will be recorded, students do not have to be present. All recordings will be available to students for 3 months after the final session, after 3 months the recording will be deleted.

Please check your email spam/junk folder for your Zoom invite. Our business hours are 10:00 AM through 5:00 PM. All course information and email correspondence will be sent during business hours. If students purchase a course, workshop, demo or recording outside business hours or during the weekend the course information or recording will be sent the following business day.

DEMO: https://youtu.be/Zz3qws4UytE

Workshop Description

Capture the subtle beauty, atmosphere, and mood of winter landscapes using gouache in this 3-week online workshop. Designed for artists of all levels, this workshop explores how to simplify complex scenes, control value and temperature, and express light within the muted palette of winter.

Each session will include live demonstrations, real-time feedback, and guided painting assignments aimed at strengthening your design sense, brushwork, and storytelling through landscape. Whether you're painting snowy woods, foggy mornings, or icy mountain ranges, you'll gain a deeper understanding of how to use gouache to create evocative, compelling winter scenes.

Topics Covered:

Composition and simplification in winter environments

Creating depth and atmosphere with value and edges

Painting snow, bare trees and skies.

Working from photo reference and imaginative design

Includes:

Weekly live demo + Q&A

Critique of student work

Workshop Outline

Day 1: Light & Value in Snow

Intro & examples of snow in painting.

Value & temperature exercises (light vs shadow in snow).

Simple studies of snow forms.

Homework: Two snow studies from reference.

Next class begins with homework critique.

Day 2: Texture & Atmosphere

Homework critique.

Demo: textures, edges, painting deciduous trees, fog, clouds.

Paint a small snow scene with depth & atmosphere.

Homework: One small gouache snow landscape (composition focus).

Day 3: Full Scene & Personal Style

Homework critique.

Demo: expressive snow scenes (light effects, mood).

Start a larger snow piece with guidance & feedback.

Final discussion & tips for continued practice.

Workshop Materials List

Paints

Holbein acryla gouache colors

Primary white

Leaf green

Primary or regular yellow

Deep yellow

Orange

Luminous red or Light red bright

Magenta

Crimson

Violet

Naples yellow

Yellow Ochre

Burnt Sienna

Burnt umber

Deep Violet

Ultramarine blue

Cerulean blue

Cobalt or light green

Blue green

Winsor Newton Brand Gouache

Permanent White

Linden Green

Brilliant Yellow

Permanent Yellow Deep

Marigold Yellow or cad orange

Cad Red Medium

Magenta

Primary Red

Alizarine Crimson

Brilliant Violet

Naples yellow

Yellow Ochre

Burnt Sienna

Burnt Umber

Spectrum Violet

Cobalt Blue

Olive Green

Brilliant Green

Cobalt Turquoise Light

Cypress Green

Holbein Brand

Aqua Blue

Katsura Blue

• A simplified (minimum) palette that would also work would be

Permanent White

Brilliant Yellow

Marigold Yellow or Cad Orange

Cad Red Medium

Alizarine Crimson

Yellow Ochre

Burnt Sienna

Burnt Umber

Spectrum Violet

Cobalt Blue

Olive Green

Brushes

I like the Jack Richeson set from JerrysArtarama.com

Half-inch Flat.

One-inch Flat.

Round acrylic brushes (#8).

Boards.

Crescent cold-press illustration board (Preferred).

140 lb cold press watercolor block will work as well.

Hobby Lobby also sells a MAster’s Series watercolor canvas panel as well that’s great for gouache and acrylic.

Additional Supplies

Cup or container for water.

Spray bottle.

Paper towels.

Mixing tray.

Paint saver palette from amazon that can be found here:

https://www.amazon.com/Transon-Palette-Airtight-Watercolors-Paintbrush/dp/B07748B4MH/?th=1