Painting With Gouache: Art Supply List For Beginners

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A very magical, versatile medium that is perhaps the most unsung hero of the painting world is gouache. Gouache is a beautiful paint to work with, and it is a medium that I greatly enjoy using in my own projects! It can achieve the results of several different paints combined, all while providing unparalleled washes of pigment. It is loved by illustrators for its storybook-looking capabilities, but it can be used for realism, Impressionism, plein air, and so much more. 

You may be wondering what gouache paint is, exactly? If you’re looking to dive down the gouache rabbit hole, this article is for you! You will learn all about how gouache paint can be used and what makes it special. At the end of this article is also my complete list of gouache painting supplies with links to everything you need to get started! 

What Is Gouache Painting?

Gouache paint is a water-based painting medium that is known for its vibrancy and opaqueness. This quick drying paint is often used for illustrations and design work. Gouache paint works similarly, but not identically, to both watercolor paint and tempera. Both gouache and watercolor paints can be watered down to create washes of color. When gouache painting, you can also layer to create opaque details on top of these thinner washes of color. If layered too thick, gouache paint does have a tendency to crack. Even after gouache paint dries, it can be altered again using water and your paintbrush like you would with watercolor paints. It is such a versatile paint that is truly lovely to work with.

How is Gouache Different From Watercolor or Other Paints?

While gouache is quite similar to watercolor paints, it is not identical to any other paint. It thins and blends similarly to watercolor, yes, but its ability to create thick, opaque details sets it apart. It is also largely different from acrylic paint. When acrylic paints dry, they are no longer able to be manipulated. Gouache can be manipulated after it dries. There is an exception to this rule, however. A variation of gouache paint exists that is a hybrid of traditional gouache and acrylic paints. It is called acrylic gouache. This unique paint blends and bleeds like watercolors and traditional gouaches, but once it dries, it is more permanent like acrylic paint. It is buildable, has a slight plasticity when it dries, and does not reactivate with water. Holbein makes a very nice line of acrylic gouache that I love!

How Do You Paint With Gouache?

Painting with gouache is quite similar to watercolor, but with its own magic capabilities. You can paint anything from beautiful illustrations and posters with that animated look or realistic landscapes and portraits. If you wanted to paint a landscape with gouache paint, for example, you could do a wet wash of color on your paper using blues, pinks, purples, or oranges. Use your brush to lift, blend, or add pigment. Allow your base layer to dry thoroughly. So for a blue sky, you would use your gouache like you would watercolors and paint a wash of blue up in the sky area of your picture. 

Continue to built layers and washes of color. Use darker colors to create shadows and lighter hues for lighter areas. You can go back in and blend any colors or lift excess by wetting your brush and touching up the desired area. To build or create opaque elements like clouds or blades of grass, keep your gouache a little thicker and less wet. For that sky landscape we talked about above, you could paint thicker layers of billowy clouds- adding thicker paint or slight color variation in some areas to create dimension. Be sure not to cake your paint onto the paper or you risk cracking. Let the subject matter that you paint influence the application of your gouache. I will be doing a short series of gouache tutorials which you can find HERE. 

You can use a variety of techniques that are used with most kinds of paint. Work wet on wet (wet paper and a wet brush) to create a very blended wash of color. Use a dry brush to add natural textures like grasses or hairs. 

Stipple your paint onto your paper to create pebble like textures or a break in ocean waves. Gouache is like any other paint so use what techniques work for you!

You can also use many different painting tools with gouache paints. Grab synthetic brushes or watercolor brushes to spread washes of color. Dab paint layers on using a sponge. Add  thicker textures in abstract strokes using a palette knife. Clean brushes or tools with water when you’re done!

How Can You Seal Gouache?

Because gouache is a water-based paint that can be reactivated after it dries, paintings will need to be sealed to keep them how you’d like. You can seal a gouache painting in a few different ways, depending on the desired sheen. If you’d like a more matte finish, trying simply spraying your work with a spray fixative (in a well ventilated area of course).

If you want a high gloss finish on your art, you can always mount your painting to a wood panel and pour a layer of art resin over it. Be sure to use a heat gun to get out any air bubbles.

What Surfaces Can You Paint With Gouache?

You may be wondering what surfaces you can paint on with gouache. When it comes to this unique paint, the more absorbent the surface the better. Opt for cold pressed paper like Arches watercolor paper. Watercolor papers are available in different weights, colors, and textures. You can also purchase the watercolor paper blocks in either hot press or cold press. Cold press papers are more absorbent than hot press papers because they have a little more texture or “tooth” on them, so cold press is usually my paper of choice.

You can mount your papers on panel if you want your artwork to be on a more dimension surface. Illustration board and wood panel will also work for gouache painting, but you will need to prime them with a coat of gesso before you begin. Canvas isn’t really the best surface to use for gouache. The paint will not dry or soak in as it should which will affect the outcome of your artwork.

What Are The Best Gouache Paints?

Gouache paints are known for their vibrant pigments. While you can absolutely pick up a cheap beginner set from any craft store, this is one paint I wouldn’t skimp on. The quality of the pigment in the paints can make a huge difference in the quality of your work. Try either Holbein gouache or Winsor Newton gouache- you won’t be sorry! They have great beginner sets but are also available in individual tubes .

Complete Painting With Gouache Art Supply List:

 Now that we’ve talked a little bit about what gouache is and how to use it, here is a list of everything you will need to get started painting with this amazing medium! Everything is linked below!

–watercolor paper (I love Arches cold pressed paper)

-paper towels ( for cleaning brushes or lifting large areas of color)

–watercolor blocks (painting surfaces)

–watercolor brush ( I like Winsor Newton)

–gouache paints in individual tubes:

Raw umber, burnt sienna, cerulean blue, ivory black or mars black, cadmium yellow medium, cadmium red light, alizarin crimson, yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, and titanium white are great mixing colors.

–mixing tray or ceramic palette ( a paper plate will work in a pinch)

–small set of synthetic brushes (small round brush, detail brush, flat brush, angle brush, mop brush) I like Princeton Taklon

–washi tape (to keep a clean border on your paper

-small spray bottle (to keep you palette of paint wet)

–palette knife ( for mixing and applying paint)

–spray fixative or resin (to seal your art)

–illustration board (painting surface)

–wood panel(painting surface)

–gesso (surface primer)

I hope this list helps you tremendously on your gouache journey. It is such a fun paint to create with. Don’t get too wrapped up in perfection. Have some fun playing around while you’re learning! Starting is half the excitement! If you want to follow along with me and learn how to paint with gouache, be sure to subscribe to my newsletter. For more painting tutorials and art project ideas, you can find those HERE.

Blessings,

Samm