What is gouache paint?

Gouache: An Opaque Watercolor

Gouache (pronounced "gwash") is an opaque watercolor paint. It's similar to traditional watercolor in that it's water-based and can be re-wetted, but the opacity is achieved through a higher pigment load and the addition of an opaque white pigment, such as chalk or other inert material. This makes it distinct from transparent watercolors.

Here's a breakdown of key aspects:

• Opacity: The defining characteristic of gouache is its opacity. This allows artists to layer colors without the underlying layers showing through, unlike traditional watercolor techniques. Learn about opacity.

• Pigment Load: Gouache typically has a higher concentration of pigment compared to watercolor. This contributes to its vibrancy and covering power. Learn about pigments.

• Binders: Like watercolor, gouache uses a gum arabic as a binder to hold the pigment together.

• Finish: Gouache dries to a matte finish. This is a characteristic that many artists appreciate, as it reduces glare and allows for easy photography or scanning of finished artwork.

• Re-wettability: Gouache can be reactivated with water even after it has dried. This allows artists to rework areas of a painting, blend colors, or even lift paint off the surface.

• Applications: Gouache is versatile and used for various purposes, including:

  • Illustration
  • Design work
  • Fine art painting
  • Mixed media
  • Animation (traditionally)

• Advantages:

  • Easy to blend.
  • Forgiving medium.
  • Excellent for creating flat, even washes of color.
  • Can be used on a variety of surfaces, including paper, board, and canvas.

• Disadvantages:

  • Can be prone to cracking if applied too thickly.
  • Colors may shift slightly as they dry.
  • Can be difficult to achieve very fine details compared to other mediums.

• Types: There are different grades of gouache, including artist-grade and student-grade, which vary in pigment quality and concentration. There are also acryla gouache variants that are acrylic-based and dry to a water-resistant finish. Learn about acryla%20gouache.

• Techniques: Gouache can be used in a variety of ways, including layering, dry brushing, and creating gradations. It is often used with watercolor techniques. Learn about watercolor%20techniques.