All About Gouache
What is Gouache Paint?
I’d like to introduce you to my friend, Gouache (pronounced “gwaash,” rhymes with squash 😉).
I’ve been painting with gouache for the last few years, and I absolutely love it because of its versatility. It can be a little misunderstood at first, sometimes it feels like acrylic, so you’re not sure how much water to add… but add too much, and suddenly it behaves like watercolor! 🤔
No wonder beginners often ask: what’s the “right” way to use it?
Here’s the secret: there isn’t just one way.
That’s the real charm of gouache. It’s like if acrylic and watercolor had a child: you’d get gouache, inheriting the best of both worlds. ☺️
Gouache is a water-based paint that gives you the transparency of watercolor and the bold, velvety coverage of acrylic. With just a little play, you’ll find it can look dreamy and translucent or rich and opaque.
That kind of flexibility is one of the main reasons I keep using it in my art. Gouache gives me endless opportunities to explore, there are just so many ways to use it! It’s always fun to experiment and see what happens. 🎨✨
A Comparison: Acrylic vs. Watercolor vs. Gouache
Let me show you a swatch example so you can see how each paint finishes on paper. The fun part about gouache is that it can mimic both acrylic and watercolor; depending on how much water you add.
Worth Mentioning…
A few of my favorite things about painting with gouache:
It’s forgiving. Messed up a flower petal? No problem! You can paint right over it once it dries. You can even layer light colors on top of dark ones, just like acrylic.
It can act like watercolor. Add more water and you’ll get those soft, dreamy washes. It’s not quite as flowy as traditional watercolor, but you can still create beautiful transparent layers and gradients.
Matte beauty. Gouache dries with a velvety, matte finish that photographs and scans beautifully making it perfect for digitizing your work! Or just admire that soft, chalky texture on the page. 😌
Playful mixing. Personally, I think gouache loves company. You can mix it with colored pencils, pastels, ink, or even markers, making it one of the best mediums for mixed media experiments.
A Peek into My Sketchbook
A Few of My Favorite Gouache Brands
I always get asked this question but there are sooo many quality brands that I haven’t tried yet. And some may be more available to you depending on where you live. So although I’ll share my honest favorites, I would still recommend you doing some research and grabbing some quality gouache more local to you.
Winsor & Newton - A classic brand I can always rely on. The quality is consistently good, and their paints have high lightfastness (meaning the colors stay bright over time). I usually grab a small set and enjoy mixing my own custom colors.
Holbein - Another fantastic choice with rich, vibrant pigments and excellent lightfastness. Their tubes tend to run smaller than Winsor & Newton’s, but the quality makes them worth it.
Sui Gouache - This lovely small business from Korea makes the most beautifully premixed colors, each handcrafted with love. 💕 I especially adore how Sui’s colors are brighter and more vibrant than what you’d usually mix on your own; perfect if you want ready-to-use shades that pop straight from the tube. You can find them on Amazon or directly from her shop. Use code “dearelaine” for 10% off and orders $150+ get free shipping!
(Note: customs are already included on US orders)
Budget-Friendly Option: If you're just starting your gouache journey, Arteza and Reeves offers great consistency at a more affordable price point. Great for beginners who are just experimenting and building confidence! Note: Budget friendly gouache paints usually have more fillers and may not be as lightfast or color stable over time so the paints may fade over the years however this isn’t that big of a deal if you’re just practicing.
Want to Learn More?
If you’re curious about the paper, the fundamentals like the right water ratio 😉 and you’d like to know how to get started, well you’re in luck!
I’ve put together a free Gouache Guide PDF just for you.
Inside, you’ll find a jam-packed guide full of tips, tricks, and simple steps to help you start painting with confidence. ✨ So whether you’re brand new to gouache or just looking to deepen your practice, this guide will give you everything you need to begin exploring.
