Tue 3rd Mar 2020
You just want to use watercolor brushes. Oil brushes are mostly hog bristle and are stiffer. You want a more flexible brush for water-based paint, especially gouache, casein or watercolor. You can also use gouache on watercolor canvas. From the brushes I use, painting paper that I recommend, and a gouache tutorial which you can follow, this blog post is here to help you get a get head start with gouache. If you’re unfamiliar with myself or my work, I’m a freelance illustrator and designer from Hampshire, UK. Just cheap synthetics Bob which happen to have white bristles, they are a little stiffer than the best watercolour synthetics. This makes them ideal for using my gouache pans. Being used to normal gouache, Acryla Gouache isn’t a far stretch. I do feel the colours are much brighter than my gouache sets (Lascaux and Winsor&Newton) and they dry up in a beautiful matte way. The paints feels more dry on my brush while painting compared to regular gouache. That way you can get a dry brush effect which I like a lot.
Gouache is an extremely versatile yet hugely underrated medium. If you want to give this unsung hero a go, here is some expert advice and our pick of the best gouache brands
Gouache paints are perfect for creating vibrant and luminous works of art with incredible levels of opacity. As this underappreciated paint doesn’t get much airtime, we’ve put together the following guide to answer all your questions. And first things first – it’s pronounced ‘gwosh’.
What is gouache paint?
Gouache paint is similar to watercolour – it has the same pigments and gum Arabic binder but with the addition of a solid white pigment, such as chalk. The medium has a rich, velvety texture which reflects rather than absorbs light. This creates a very smooth appearance and makes it ideal for opaque coverage.
What’s the difference between gouache and watercolour?
Both watercolour and gouache are sold in small, concentrated portions. Each is usually diluted with water before painting, too, but gouache is far less translucent. The consistency is different too, but the main point is gouache is opaque, whereas watercolour is very transparent.
Is gouache like acrylic, then?
No. Both are water based, but gouache has a matt finish whereas acrylic is glossier. Also, most acrylic dries permanently but gouache is more open to being reworked, like watercolour.
Is there a difference between designers’ and artists’ gouache?
The reason it’s mainly known as ‘designers’ gouache’ is because designers and illustrators initially used it. But in many cases, both types are the same despite the different labels.
How is gouache best used?
There is no right or wrong answer to this question. However, artists primarily use gouache paint to create big blocks of solid colour. It can also be used as an add-on for watercolour and its brightness makes it a popular medium for illustrations in children’s books.
What makes a good gouache paint?
The medium is all about colour pigment and consistency, so a good gouache gives a strong, glowing colour with no bits in it. A high-quality paint will usually have a high proportion of dry pigment and less inert white pigment.
Can you mix brands?
Yes. It’s all about the consistency, but using cheaper, grainier gouache will have an effect on the painting.
What brushes are best to use with gouache?
For water-based work, a sable or soft synthetic brush is best. You can also use your watercolour brushes without fear of ruining them and no special chemicals are needed to clean up afterwards as gouache is water soluble. If you’re creating textural effects, opt for a bristle brush.
What types of paper work best with gouache?
Always go for a heavy watercolour paper because gouache will sit on the surface of any other paper type. Or the paper will begin to cockle. A rougher paper will show more texture too.
5 of the best gouache brands
Now you know the difference between gouache and watercolour, and what makes a good gouache and the materials to use, here are our pick of the best gouache brands.
1. Winsor & Newton Designers’ Gouache, from £5.65, 14ml
Produced since 1935, Winsor & Newton were the frontrunners in the development of designers’ gouache, which was created for designers who needed solid colour for illustration. As a result, this is an industry favourite, used by both commercial and fine artists, thanks to the solid knockout colour application promised. Recently the range has been reviewed in the company’s development laboratory – the result is a wider range of 91 colours that are smoother than ever. www.winsornewton.com
2. Sennelier Gouache Extra Fine, from £4.40 for 21ml tubes
Using Sennelier artists’ quality pigments and natural gums, this colourfast gouache ensures dense brushstrokes, despite the exceptionally soft consistency. The French company suggests the range can be applied with an airbrush or quill, too (there’s a great Silver and Bronze Gold Yellow for ornate illustration). The 59-colour range can be mixed with watercolours and inks, too, in order to obtain other combinations of opacity or transparency. www.sennelier.fr
3. Pebeo T7 Gouache, from £3.65 for 20ml tubes
Pebeo’s T7 Gouache is extra fine, yet rich in organic and mineral pigments. The smooth and creamy consistency works hard and multitasks by being both pliant and adherent. The range includes 74 bright, very opaque and light-resistant colours, which can be used on any painting surface as well as on delicate pieces. www.pebeo.com
4. Schmincke Horadam Gouache, from £8.50 for 15ml tubes
Schmincke have a range of gouaches but the one most suited to professionals is the Horadam, or artists’ quality range. As you might expect the pigments are strong (the 48-colour Horadam range hasn’t been bulked up with white pigments like many gouache brands) and the opacity is very high; it has a level, smooth application, which results in a pastel-like layer of pigment. www.schmincke.de
5. Daler-Rowney Designers’ Gouache, from £5.45, 15ml
What Kind Of Brushes Do You Use For Gouache
With more than two centuries’ experience, Daler- Rowney is bound to produce some of the best products on the market and this designers’ gouache is no exception. Originally produced with professional illustrators or graphic designers in mind, the pigments contain the reflective properties of calcium carbonate, which means the colour is bright and brilliant in all the 90 available colours. www.daler-rowney.com
Read more:
To get more art inspiration and advice every month, subscibe to Artists & Illustrators magazine.
Artists and Illustrators
Artists & Illustrators is Britain’s most popular magazine for practising artists, whilst also being equally relevant to professionals, aspiring amateurs or to those who paint purely for pleasure. Full of step-by-step practical advice, readers’ own work, exclusive features on famous names and expert product tests, this is the top publication for every artist seeking inspiration, whether they favour painting, drawing or printmaking.
If you typically dabble in watercolor but also happen to love acrylic, don’t choose between the two. Instead, opt for painting with gouache. It’s the best of both worlds — depending on how much water you use with it, gouache can have a matte-like acrylic effect or look more like an opaque version of watercolor.It’s important to have the right gouache supplies.
Before you dive in and paint an entire gouache landscape though, make sure you have the tools you need.
Good to Know: Gouache doesn’t require a ton of expensive or specialized supplies. But because it’s a unique type of paint, your supplies may be a bit different than when you paint with watercolor or acrylic.
Gouache Paint
Gouache is sometimes referred to as “opaque watercolor.” Like watercolor, it starts with a color pigment that’s combined with a binding agent, like gum arabic. But the pigment is added in a greater quantity, and it’s paired with a solid white pigment. This gives gouache a heavier texture and higher level of opacity than translucent watercolor paint.
For a basic gouache palette, invest in tubes of primary colors, plus black and white. You can also purchase a six-, eight- or 12-color beginner’s kit, which will have a good selection of basic colors you’ll frequently use — not to mention save you from re-mixing the same colors again and again.
Brushes
When first starting out, you only need three brushes: a smaller round brush, a larger round brush and a broad brush for painting larger areas or washes. You have total freedom to experiment with different brush types (like natural hair), but synthetic watercolor brushes are great for painting with gouache. The softer texture allows fluidity with the paint and the ability to create delicate detail.
Pro Tip: Always carefully wash your brushes after painting with gouache. The “ingredient” used to make it opaque (which can vary depending on the manufacturer) can damage brushes if it dries and sets.
Painting Surface
Gouache is so versatile, it can be used on a wide variety of painting surfaces including watercolor paper, illustration board, thick drawing paper and Bristol board. It doesn’t work as well as acrylic when painted on canvas though, so you may want to avoid that if you’re a beginner.
Water
Gouache is water-soluble, so water can be used to dilute and alter its fluidity. Use less if you want a highly opaque paint, and more for a watercolor-like effect.
Small, Airtight Containers
Like acrylic paint, gouache will set if you leave it sitting on your palette. If you mix a color you don’t want to have to re-mix later, store it in a small, airtight container for future painting.
Rags or Paper Towels
Clean rags and paper towels can be used to dab excess paint from your surface, to dry your brush between dips in water, or to remove excess paint from your brush. It’s invaluable to always have some on hand.
Palette
For mixing paint, you need a palette. You can purchase one from an art supplies store, upcycle an old ceramic dinner plate or even use disposable palettes.
Palette Knife
Because gouache is thicker than watercolor, a small palette knife might be useful when mixing colors. Along with mixing more efficiently, the knife preserves the texture of your brushes so you can save ’em for actually painting.
Best Paint Brushes For Gouache Painting
Other Mediums
Gouache is great on its own, but even better when combined with other mediums. Use the supplies below to change up the look of any painting.
Acrylic or Watercolor
Gouache works well with acrylic or watercolor, so combining it with one (or both) of these mediums can give you a gorgeous result. For example, acrylic can be used on top of gouache to accent or make more opaque details, while watercolor can be employed to add subtle translucent shadows and dimension.
Pencil and Eraser
You might find it helpful to sketch out your painting first. Gouache is more opaque than watercolor, so it’s able to cover up pencil marks fairly well.
Pen and Ink
Pen and ink can be used under or over gouache. Depending on the look you want in your finished piece, a waterproof pen may help add details to your work.