Gouache is a paint medium that is between watercolor and acrylic paint. Gouache is painted with water, just like watercolor but is more opaque like acrylic. Below are some simple rules I follow when painting with gouache🎨.
1) Use Thick Paper or Watercolor Paper
Use thick paper like watercolor paper or any durable paper. Remember, gouache is used with water, which makes paper wrinkle. That is why artists say to use thick paper that is at least 140 lb/300 gsm.
But I use a mixed media sketchbook that is only 98 lbs(160 gsm), and my gouache paintings are fine. I just have to be slightly careful about how much water I use.
2) Less Water = More Opaque More Water = Less Opaque
This is a simple rule helps me determine if I should use more or less water depending on the type of effect I want to have on my paintings.
3) Keep Your Water Clean 💧
Having a dirty water cup will be your enemy when painting with gouache. Dirty water will darken the paint on your palette🎨 and ruin your paint shades.
4) Work From Dark to Light Paint Shade
Working from dark to light shades saves space on your palette. Instead of having multiple shades of one color taking up space, start with the darkest hues of different colors so you can lighten them without wasting space.
5) Outline Your Painting
Since gouache is quite opaque, you don’t have to worry if your pencil outline will show under your painting. Sketch the general shape and shade in the dark spots to help you organize your painting 🖼️.
6) Let Your Paint Dry Before Painting Another Layer
Layering with gouache doesn’t work great when the gouache is wet, so I usually wait between laying the gouache so the water doesn’t wet the paint layers underneath.
7) Keep Your Gouache Dry
Gouache dries out quickly, so keeping your gouache jelly cups from drying will make your painting experience more enjoyable. I use tape around my gouache set to keep it from drying, and after using this technique for more than a year, my gouache set is still moist. If your gouache set is dry, spray some water onto your paint.
Some people will think this method doesn’t look nice or neat, but it works for me. I just take some tape, and tape it around the paint set.
8) Use Soft Paint Brushes
You don’t have to buy expensive brushes. Use the brushes you already have that are soft. You can use natural or synthetic brushes, but I personally use synthetic brushes.
Now, you know the basics of painting with gouache and how to make your paintings the best they can be! I hope this was article was useful and will help you work with gouache!🎨
ACMonis 