You may have heard of watercolor paint or acrylic paint, but what about gouache paint? Gouache is a type of opaque paint that is made with pigment, gum arabic, and water. If you are a new or even an experienced painter, this medium is the perfect way to create works from home with just a small amount of materials. It can be used to personalize cards or projects and even to create fine works of art. Check out this guide below on how to get creative with gouache.
Characteristics of Gouache Paint
Before you get started with gouache paint, it can be helpful to know some of the characteristics that make it unique. Gouache paint is opaque, meaning that it is typically applied in layers of solid colors. This makes it an ideal choice for illustrative style and other projects where you need to create shapes with clearly defined lines.
In addition to being opaque, gouache paint also dries with a matte finish. This means instead of being glossy, the finished image has a texture similar to a painting made with watercolor paper. This can help you give your paintings a more graphic or modern look than other mediums.
Another characteristic of gouache paint that makes it easy to work with is the fact that it is water-soluble. With your paintbrush, the paint can be easily diluted with water. This allows you to use only a few tubes of paint to add many shades of color, like watercolor. This quality makes it a versatile medium that can be used for various techniques.
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History of Gouache Paint
The term gouache is derived from the Italian word “Guazzo”, referring to “mud.” It was originally used to describe the practice of applying oil paint over a tempera base, creating a matted effect. Gouache paint has been used all over the world from ancient times to modern day. Ancient Egyptians even used a form of gouache for painting. Instead of gum arabic, they used honey or tragacanth gum as a binder. In Europe, gouache paint was used in both illuminated manuscripts, as well as Persian miniatures. French artists have also historically used the medium to add fine detail to paintings.
Materials You Need to Get Started
You might need to take a trip to your nearest art store to get everything you need to get started with gouache paint. We recommend looking out for the following items to prepare yourself to paint like a pro:
- Gouache paints – There are many different brands and colors of gouache paint on the market. But remember – color mixing is your friend! Don’t feel like you need all the colors when you are just starting out. You can start with the primary colors (red, yellow, and blue) and black and white. If you feel like you’d like to expand your collection, you can always get more.
- Paint brushes – The brushes you use for gouache paint should be similar to the ones you use for watercolor brushes. Either natural or synthetic fibers will work. You might wish to have a variety of sizes, but using a small and medium brush is a good place to start.
- Watercolor paper – Because you’ll be using gouache with water, watercolor paper makes for a good, sturdy option. This type of paper is absorbent enough to avoid wrinkling when wet. Explore a variety of sizes and types – from postcard paper to sketchbooks.
- A glass of water for mixing the pigment – Keep a small glass of mixing water handy. Since gouache is water-soluble, you’ll need it to thin the paint and create your different shades. Plus, you’ll want to keep your brushes wet so the paint easily moves around on your paper.
- Any kind of paint palette – Whether it’s a plastic mixing palette or simply a sheet of acrylic, you’ll need something to mix your colors. Try creating new colors instead of using the ones directly out of the tube.
- Other creative supplies
- You might wish to have a water spray bottle handy so you can wet your paper or blend colors.
- If you’re looking to add highlights, a white pastel crayon could come in handy.
- Depending on the level of detail you want, a black ink pen can be used to add details or outlines to your painting.
Read more: Canvas Painting For Beginners: 8 Easy Ideas
Tips for Creating with Gouache Paint
- Start with only a pea-sized amount of pigment. The paint is quite opaque, so a little goes a long way.
- Use a light touch of the brush when applying gouache to create a smoother finished painting.
- Work quickly, as gouache paint dries faster than other mediums.
- Rehydrate and rework your paintings if you are not happy with the results.
- Get creative and experiment with different techniques to see what you can create.
Project Inspiration for Gouache Paint
When it comes to project inspiration, gouache paint can be used for projects big and small. If you like to create handmade cards for friends and family, this style of painting is perfect for postcards and greeting cards. You could also use gouache paint to decorate brown gift wrap bags or paper. Similarly, you can create pieces of artwork for your own home and frame them in a variety of sizes.
For new and experienced artists, gouache paint is a versatile and fun medium that can be used for a variety of projects. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing hobby or a reason to get together with friends and create, gouache painting can be an excellent source of fun.
Photo credit: Katie Goertzen | Pure Julia
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