Gouache Painting
Gouache Painting
Have you discovered the wonderful world of gouache painting? Whether you’re an experienced artist or just beginning your creative journey, painting with gouache offers an exciting way to experiment with colour, texture and artistic expression.
Gouache painting has become increasingly popular among artists, illustrators, designers and hobby painters. And it’s easy to understand why!
What Makes Gouache Painting So Special?
Gouache is a water-based paint that combines some of the best qualities of watercolour and acrylic painting.
Other names for gouache paint are gouache water colour or opaque water colour. Gouache is not dissimilar to water colour paint because you mix it with water and the brushes are cleaned with water. It’s like a cousin to water colours.
As you paint gouache can be diluted with water to make the paint more transparent. But I think its charm is in building up blocks of colour which can be made to be rich and vibrant. If you keep building up colour over colour you can generate a magnificent intensity.
Unlike traditional watercolours, which are usually transparent, gouache painting is known for its beautiful, opaque, velvety finish. Its rich pigments allow artists to create bold colours, striking contrasts and wonderfully expressive paintings.
One of the greatest advantages of traditional gouache is that it can be reactivated with water after drying. This makes it particularly forgiving for beginners who want to experiment, correct mistakes and develop their painting skills.
Spring Rapsody by Marji Hill
Drying so quickly, gouache painting can be easily reworked. This is an exciting feature because, even when the painting has been finished, it can be reworked by painting over previous work.
In contrast to acrylic paint which is thicker, more durable, and waterproof, gouache is fragile. It does not have the same durability as acrylic.
An accidental droplet of water or watery gouache onto the painting can result in a watery blob and totally mess up the picture.
When it dries gouache looks heavy, dense, and opaque but when water is added, gouache becomes more translucent. You have the option of either watering the paint down or you can build it up the consistency of the paint.
While acrylic paint can be used on paper, glass, canvas, plastic, and wood it is best to use gouache on water colour paper although some artists do use it on canvas.
Gouache is a great medium to use particularly if you want to experiment. You can build up areas of your painting and can then paint over the top of previously applied gouache.
It’s easy to make changes as I’ve already said. If something is not working for you just paint over that patch. For instance, if you are completely shattered by the bit you have just created, paint it out and redo it.
You keep painting until you get the result you want.
Gouache painting is versatile; it has fantastic colours, and these colours can be watered down or they can be built up or layered.
What Can You Paint With Gouache?
The possibilities for gouache painting are endless!
Gouache painting is particularly suitable for:
- Landscape paintings: Capture mountains, beaches, forests and beautiful country scenes.
- Botanical art: Paint colourful flowers, leaves and delicate garden compositions.
- Abstract paintings: Experiment with shapes, textures and vibrant colour combinations.
- Illustrations: Create artwork for children’s books, greeting cards and journals.
- Travel sketchbooks: Record your adventures through colourful miniature paintings.
Because gouache dries relatively quickly and can be used with very little equipment, it’s also an excellent choice for artists who enjoy painting outdoors. Whenever I paint in the landscape I always use gouache.
Choosing Your Gouache Paints
If you’re new to gouache painting, I recommend starting with a quality beginner’s set containing a selection of primary colours together with black and white. You can explore these options on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate, I do earn from qualifying purchases.
You don’t need dozens of colours to get started. Learning to mix your own shades is part of the creative adventure.
When choosing your paints, look for good pigmentation, smooth consistency and colours that blend easily.
One popular brand that I use is Windsor & Newton.
There are a lot of other brands each offering different options depending on your experience, painting style and budget.
Essential Accessories
Along with your paints, a few basic accessories will help you get started.
Watercolour or mixed-media paper, a selection of soft brushes, a mixing palette and a container of clean water are all you need.
You might also enjoy experimenting with different brush shapes to create fine details, broad strokes and interesting textures.
Let Your Creativity Flow!
For me, painting is much more than applying colour to paper. It’s about exploring ideas, discovering inspiration and enjoying the creative process.
Gouache painting offers wonderful opportunities to experiment without feeling restricted by complicated techniques.
Whether you’re painting a beautiful landscape, a colourful still life or simply playing with colour, gouache painting can open the door to a whole new world of artistic possibilities.
Why not give gouache painting a try? Your next creative adventure could be just a brushstroke away!
Marji Hill
Artist and writer