In this month’s issue, we’re publishing a couple of articles on gouache, a medium we don’t often include. I’ve not painted with gouache before, but I’m a fan of Alan Oliver’s paintings and feel inspired to try it for myself. I’m intrigued by how rich the colours are, although they appear to work like watercolour. If you’re like me and want to have a go, don’t be put off by the extra cost of investing in new materials. You don’t have to spend a fortune. Pick up a small beginners’ set, use your usual surface – and, above all, don’t worry about your first results. As Alan says: “Not every painting is going to work!”. The gouache articles came about in answer to requests from readers. Are there any subjects or media that you would like us to cover? Any questions you need answered? Leisure Painter is here to help and we are always pleased to hear from you. Your input into the magazine each month is invaluable. By the way, due to the phenomenal response to Tony Paul’s oil painting course, which finishes this month we will be publishing an article by Tony on how to make a pochade box in the January 2011 issue and how to use it, in February’s edition. How are the family portraits coming on? You have until 30 September to send a painting of a child or children in your family – and encourage them to draw or paint you. This month, Rosalind Jelbert demonstrates coloured pencil techniques to draw a portrait of her daughter and Elena Parashko shows how to set a child’s figure in a garden scene. Both articles are designed to help you produce your best portrait for the competition. Enjoy the autumn colours this month. We’re all pretty sad to see the end of the summer, but there are compensations for the painter, aren’t there?