Gouache is water-soluble paint that has a matte finish. This paint is similar to watercolor but is opaque instead of translucent. Gouache paint is made of color pigments with gum arabic. White pigment or chalk-like material is added to the mixture to make the paint opaque.
Gouache is the combination of the best qualities of other painting mediums. Just like watercolor, it dries quickly and can be re-worked and adjusted after drying. But like oil and acrylic, gouache is more opaque and produces strong and vivid color. However, it is used on paper not on canvas or any painting surface.
If you’re looking to try something new in your art practice, gouache paints might just be your next favorite medium. This vibrant, versatile paint is often described as a ‘’happy medium’’ between watercolor and acrylic. If you’ve never tried it, you’re in for a treat. So, let’s dive into what makes gouache so special.
First things first: how do you pronounce it? It’s pronounced ‘gwash,’ and it’s a water-soluble paint with a lovely matte finish. Think of it as watercolor’s twin—but with a twist. While watercolor is known for being translucent and delicate, gouache is opaque and has more pigment, giving it that bold, vivid color you might love in acrylic or oil paintings.
Gouache is made up of color pigments and gum arabic (similar to watercolor), but it also includes white pigment or chalk-like material. This added ingredient makes the paint more opaque, giving it that smooth, solid look we associate with gouache. It’s like the best of both worlds!
There are a few reasons gouache stands out from the crowd:
- It’s super flexible: Just like watercolor, gouache dries quickly and can be reworked after it’s dry. If you make a mistake, you can easily touch it up. So, if you’re the kind of artist who loves to experiment and adjust as you go, gouache is a great choice.
- Opaque and vibrant: Unlike watercolor, which is known for being translucent, gouache has a strong, opaque finish. This means your colors stay bold and vivid on paper.
- Fast drying time: Like watercolor, gouache dries pretty quickly, which means you can move on to the next layer without waiting too long. But it still gives you enough time to blend and adjust.
- Easy to work with: It’s water-soluble, which means cleanup is a breeze, and you don’t need to worry about toxic solvents like with oil paints.
Okay, so gouache is pretty amazing, but it does have one big thing to keep in mind: it’s usually meant for paper. Unlike acrylic or oil paints, gouache isn’t typically used on canvas or other painting surfaces, though some artists do experiment with it. Stick to watercolor paper or mixed media paper for the best results.
If you’re into experimenting with new mediums and want to create paintings that have both the fluidity of watercolor and the opacity of acrylics, gouache is definitely worth checking out. It’s a lot of fun to use, and it gives your work a fresh, bold feel.
So, grab a set of gouache paints, some good-quality paper, and get started! You might just find yourself falling in love with it. Happy painting!
Before we end this article, let me introduce you to the available Gouache paints at Creativa Middle East.
A German brand called Lukas Farben, has premium quality artist’s gouache paint that offers high coverage through the use of the finest pigments and a high-quality binder. The paint has a very good mixing behavior, which makes it ideal for color theory.Here are some of the best qualities of Lukas Gouache:1. Use of exquisite pigments and a high-quality binder2. Pronounced color intensity and maximum lightfastness3. Excellent mixing behavior and flow properties4. Dry to a silky matt surface and are smudge- and erase-resistant5. Extremely versatile colors, whether for spontaneous designs and improvisations, for artistic theses, for decorative areas or for use in schools and training6. High coverage AVAILABLE GOUACHE COLORS FROM LUKAS AT CREATIVA MIDDLE EASTSHOW NOW! Search – Creativa Middle East | Art and craft store in UAE
