What Are Gouache Paints

What Gouache Is and How It Works

Gouache is a water soluble paint that dries to an opaque, matte finish. It sits between watercolor and acrylic in feel and behavior. The pigments are suspended in a water based binder, typically gum arabic, and many formulations include a white filler like chalk to boost opacity. When you dilute gouache with water it behaves like watercolor, with soft edges and translucent washes; when thickened or layered, it becomes dense and opaque, masking underlying layers for bold shapes and corrections. The ability to re-wet dried gouache is a key trait, enabling you to lift color, adjust edges, or blend after drying. That re-wettability comes with caveats: too much moisture can lift a previous layer or cause a muddy edge, so control of water and brushwork matters greatly. In short, gouache offers the flexibility to work in transparent layers or bold, opaque blocks while maintaining the option to revise later in the process.

Brands vary in pigment load and binder composition, but the core behavior remains: gouache responds quickly to changes in water, dries with a velvety surface, and rewards careful planning of light and dark passages. For beginners, this means you can start with simple shapes and gradually introduce more subtle glazing as you gain confidence. For seasoned painters, gouache provides a reliable means to execute crisp lines and solid areas without sacrificing the possibility of reworking later in the same session or across multiple sessions.

In practice, gouache shines on heavier papers that resist buckling and on prepared boards where you can control absorbency. If you want the most luminous opacity, use thicker washes and multiple layers, allowing each pass to dry before applying the next. If you prefer a more watercolor like effect, dilute with water and work on a smooth surface that encourages soft edges. Overall, gouache sits comfortably in a hybrid space that favors clean edges, controlled opacity, and flexible revision—ideal for illustration, paper crafts, and fine art practice alike.

Gouache vs Watercolor and Acrylic

Understanding gouache means comparing it with watercolor and acrylic. Watercolor relies on transparency and layering; light passes through multiple transparent glazes to tint the white of the paper. Gouache adds white pigment to improve opacity, so a single stroke can cover an underlying color. This property makes gouache excellent for bold shapes, high contrast, and precise areas, but it can be trickier to achieve soft, luminous glazes without progressively lifting color. Acrylics, on the other hand, dry opaque and plastic when cured. They do not re-wet easily and require water to thin during application, but once dry they seal permanently. Gouache remains re-wettable, which allows you to revise even after a layer has dried.

For artists moving from watercolor, gouache offers a familiar wash feel with the advantage of opacity. If you rely on strong, opaque blocks and crisp edges, gouache is a natural progression. If your goal is luminous, translucent glow, you might complement gouache with light watercolor layers or use transparent washes on top of a gouache base. The choice depends on your project, working surface, and the look you want to achieve.

Choosing Gouache: Student vs Artist Brands

Gouache comes in two broad categories: student/introductory and artist/ professional lines. Student gouache is usually more affordable, with good handling and decent pigment load, making it ideal for learning and quick practice. Artist gouache tends to have higher pigment concentration, finer granulation control, and a wider color range, which supports advanced layering and color accuracy. Both types are water soluble, re-wettable, and designed to dry to a matte, opaque film, but the differences show up in color strength, granulation, and lightfastness.

When selecting a set, focus on pigment load rather than price alone. Look for brands that list pigment names and lightfastness ratings on their websites or tubes. For beginners, a basic set of primary colors plus a bone or light yellow and a couple of browns gives you a solid range to practice blending and color mixing. For more advanced work, you might seek a limited palette with high quality pigments that align with your style, and consider adding a white gouache with good opacity for highlights. Over time, you’ll discover which brands perform best for your technique and paper choices.

Surfaces and Grounds for Gouache

Surface choice has a big impact on gouache results. The most common ground is heavyweight watercolor paper (around 140 lb or 300 gsm) with a smooth to moderately textured surface, which allows even color application and clean edges. Heavier papers prevent excessive buckling, and cold pressed papers can offer some texture for a natural painterly feel. You can also work on illustration board or watercolor boards that are sized to resist curling. For a smoother surface, primed clayboard or acetate can be used for experiments and precise line work.

Ground preparation matters. If you’re using watercolor paper, consider stretching the paper before painting to reduce warping. For a more forgiving surface, apply a light coat of acrylic gesso or apply a pre-primed surface to reduce absorbency before the gouache layer. In addition, protect your painting by using a spray fixative sparingly for display pieces, and keep drying times in mind to avoid muddy edges during layering.

Basic Techniques for Beginners

Start with simple shapes and flat color washes to get a feel for opacity and re-wetting. Practice a controlled wash by loading your brush with gouache and applying it in even coats. For crisp edges, paint from dark to light and use a clean, sharp edge on your brush or masking tape for definition. While still damp, you can lift edges with a clean brush or tissue to create highlights. When glazing, apply a thin layer of paint over a dried area to shift color or adjust the tone, letting each layer dry before adding the next.

Wet-on-wet is a fun way to explore soft blends, especially for skies or backgrounds. Use a pre-wetted area, then introduce gouache with minimal water to allow the color to spread softly. For textures, try dry-brush techniques with a stiff brush to create rough surfaces or rough edges that mimic stone and fabric. Remember to keep your colors separate on your palette to prevent muddy mixtures, and clean your brushes frequently to maintain color purity.

Color Mixing and Layering Strategies

Gouache offers straightforward color mixing due to its opaque nature. Start with your warm and cool primaries, then mix neutrals by combining complementary colors. Layer from light to dark, and avoid overworking a single area to prevent lifting and fiber damage on delicate papers. If you need brighter whites, use white gouache rather than trying to lift from the white paper, since paper brightness can vary greatly.

When glazing, apply a transparent or semi-opaque layer over a dried base to adjust hue and depth without overpowering the underlying color. Use thin passes for subtle changes, and reserve thicker, more opaque areas for focal points. Keep a small spray bottle handy to re-wet your palette if it dries out during a long session. This helps maintain color fidelity and helps you recover lost edges without re-wetting the entire area.

Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them

One common issue is overworking a damp layer, which can cause edges to blur or colors to appear muddy. If you see this happening, let the painting dry, then carefully lift excess color with a clean brush or a tissue and re-apply with a lighter touch. Another mistake is applying too much water on top of an already thick layer, which can cause the paint to lift and re-wet unevenly. In this case, blot gently and allow it to dry before reworking.

Masking can help with crisp lines, but if the masking fluid lifts pigment upon removal, wait until the area is completely dry and then lift gradually. Finally, avoid relying only on white gouache to brighten a scene; instead, plan well from the start with light washes and proper color balance so whites remain intentional highlights rather than corrections.

Finishing, Preservation, and Mounting

Gouache paintings are typically left unvarnished because varnishes can alter the matte appearance and re-wetability of gouache surfaces. If you plan to display a piece, consider a matte, breathable frame that protects from dust and direct sunlight. For longevity, store paintings flat and away from extreme heat or humidity. If mounting on a board or panel, use an archival adhesive and consider a protective backing to prevent warping. When transporting gouache works, keep them in a dry setting and avoid stacking with heavy weights. For practice pieces, you can scan or photograph your work to preserve the color and composition digitally, which can be useful for sharing online or building a portfolio.

Creative Projects and Practice Ideas

Try a bold poster style study using large blocks of color and defined edges. Create a still life with strong shadows to practice opaque layering and color temperature. Do a portrait study where you emphasize highlights with white gouache against dark tones to test opacity control. Use gouache in mixed media with ink or pencil for crisp lines and intricate details. Finally, build a small series exploring texture by combining flat washes with dry brush textures on textured paper.