What is gouache? Paint gouache provides watercolorists with a new way to opaquely or transparently capture a subject. Learn how to use this easy medium to fit your personal style of painting and you might possibly find that it has all of the qualities (plus more) as watercolors.
Remember when you were a child and sat at your art table painting with poster paint? Gouache is the beloved poster paint with a grown up twist. It can be used to lay color on thickly and creamy and to cover huge surfaces without a hint of brush stroke. There is no panic to paint fast and furious, as some beginning watercolorists tend to do. You can even paint your entire background first, and then put the details on top.
Opaque
Unlike painting in transparent watercolors, painting gouache lies on the surface. This means that on colored grounds (even black paper), the paint color remains true and unaffected by the color below. Gouache paints dry to a smooth matte finish and the finished painting has a flawless, sophisticated, suede-like quality. Gouache is frequently used in the design and illustration industry.
Transparent
Gouache is basically opaque watercolor and just like watercolor, you can achieve looser, juicy washes. Gouache is made by grinding pigments together in the same medium as is used for watercolor and can be applied to paper in the same manner. This means it remains workable even after it dries on the painting surface.
Tips & Tricks
When mixing to match, always test the color on the side and wait for it to dry. Darker colors appear lighter when dry, and the light color you were aiming for suddenly looks darker when it dries.
Caveat
Store or ship gouache paintings flat. Rolled paintings will crack. As a matter of fact, gouache applied too thickly or in too many layers will chip or flake.
How to Use Gouache Paint
Squeeze a dime-sized bit of paint into a palette well. Add ½ to equal amount of water to the paint. Stir with an old, worn out brush. The consistency should be creamy. Unlike acrylics, gouache will last forever even after it has dried to hard bits. Simply spritz or re-wet and you are back in business. Don't wash out your palette at day's end.
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