Are you ready to delve into the world of Gouache art? Don't know where to begin? I got you covered! Here's How to Get Started with Gouache!
Contents of Discussion
Gouache is a fairly popular medium among artists nowadays and as such many people are curious to try it out but don't know how to. So this article is aimed to help you all get an idea as to what materials you need to get started and what gouache is all about!
What is Gouache?
Gouache is a water-based paint commonly known as opaque watercolor, due to it's similar nature to that of watercolors with little difference of more opacity of pigment. Gouache is a really interesting and fun medium. There are generally two types of gouache : Regular Gouache and Acryla Gouache. The difference is that regular gouache is more like watercolors with it's ability to reactivate with water, while acryla gouache tends to have a water-resistant finish and cannot be reactivated by water.
You can use water to thin down the paint and make the brushstrokes thin and transparent or thick and opaquely if less water is added. Typically you go from thin to thick, because similar to watercolors it can be reactivated with water and so starting with thinner layers and slowly building up thicker ones help the paint from smudging with the layers beneath. Because of it's opacity you can either work dark to light or light to dark, this is because unlike in watercolors you don't need to preserve the white of the page, so you can simply paint it in opaque at the end. This also makes gouache more lenient when it comes to mistakes, as you can cover them up with an opaque layer. Due to gouache's nature of reactivation by water it is easier to clean up after a painting session and also easy to come back to a painting after a long time without worrying whether your palette has dried up or not, because it can be reactivated with water easily. Gouache also dries to a matte finish, so there is no gloss on them when they are being photographed. One other feature of Gouache is that it's values change upon drying, so light colors may appear darker and dark colors may appear lighter. Gouache is considered a hybrid of watercolors and acrylics due to its similar features, but it is a unique medium and should be used with it's own features in mind. Gouache can be a tricky medium at first, but with a consistent practice you can get better at it.
Essential Supplies to Start Painting with
1. Surface
Gouache being a medium considered a hybrid of watercolors and acrylics, has a lot of options for surfaces. It can be used on canvas and on watercolor paper. Most commonly it is used on watercolor paper, as people tend to use it for it's watery qualities more than its acrylic quality.
Now incase this is your first time hearing about the word 'watercolor paper', let me elaborate. Paper comes in different materials, weight and texture. Traditional paper is made mostly from recycled wood shavings, has almost non-existing weight and has a smooth surface. Using traditional paper for watercolors is a huge NO, because due to it's non-absorbent nature and extreme thinness it does not stand water well. So the paper you should use for painting with water-based mediums is called watercolor paper. But of course there is a wide range of options even in watercolor papers.
The main thing to keep in mind when choosing a watercolor paper is the material, weight and texture of the paper. The material should be something absorbent like cotton. Paper made from 100% cotton are your best choice, but if you can't get that, just get the paper with the most percentage of cotton. Secondly, the standard weight for a watercolor paper is 140lbs or 300g, so don't get anything below that, there could be options above that. Lastly watercolor paper comes either cold pressed or hot pressed. Cold pressed paper has a textured surface, while hot pressed surface has a smooth surface. Both work well depending on what you make on them.
2. Paint
Gouache paint comes in two most common forms, tubes and pans. Gouache is liked for it's creamy consistency and so many artists prefer it straight from the tube than from the pans. I, too, would suggest tubes instead of pans, but it depends on whichever you're more comfortable with.
3. Brushes
Brushes come in various sizes and shapes and materials. Since you're a beginner, I would suggest you get only as much as you're willing to delve in. If you think that you will paint often then investing in some brushes with different shapes and sizes would be a good idea. You can try out different brushes and get a hang of which one you'd like to work with. The most common ones include Round brushes, Flat Brushes and Filberts. I like them all but my personal favorite is a flat brush, but usually for water-heavy mediums like gouache and watercolors, people choose a brush that can hold water, like a round brush. It's up to you though!
4. Palette
A Palette is necessary for mixing and blending your paints. It is the platform that provides you with space for obtaining the right shade or consistency of the paint before applying it to either canvas or paper. For water-based mediums I would suggest either a metallic or ceramic palette, but you could use just any white plate or bowl at home as a substitute. In case you want more information regarding Palettes, check out my blog.
5. Water
Since it's a water-based medium, having a jar of water is absolutely crucial. Make that two though, one for cleaning or rinsing your brushes and the other for getting clear water to use in your painting, if you use colored water in your painting, it might alter the color value of your other paints.
Extra Supplies to Have
Masking Tape
To give you crisp lines and a more finer edge to your paintings, and to ensure your paint stays in a certain area by taping it's boundaries.
Tissue/ Towel Cloth
To dab off excess water off your paint in case you overload it, as well as to make sure you're work environment doesn't get too messy.
Pencils/Waterproof Pens
To make a sketch prior to painting, so that you know which direction to head into. Working with pencils is nice but make sure the lines are dull or else there's a chance the graphite may smudge in the paint when the paint is applied onto it. Waterproof pens are a great investment for artists who like to include drawings to their painting.
Water spray
For when your palette dries up, it's swifter to just spray some water all over it to reactivate it instead of using your brush, as that may take more time and may even waste the paint a bit.
What is Gouache mostly used for ?
Gouache is a medium that many people often use to create illustrations or scenes from cartoon movies like Studio Ghibli movies or Disney Movies. It is also used to make posters, comics and other design works. Gouache is also widely used for botanic art, which consists of painting leaves and flowers and plants as a whole. There is a large diversity among flowers and leaves so you never run out of options when painting botanic things.
Conclusion
Gouache may not be a medium that's as widely known as the other ones, but it definitely deserves recognition. It is a remarkable medium that offers endless possibilities for artists of all skill levels. Its rich pigmentation, versatility, and forgiving nature make it an excellent choice for anyone looking to explore new creative horizons. Whether you're a seasoned artist or just starting out, give gouache a try and discover the unique beauty it can bring to your work. With a little experimentation, you'll find that this distinctive paint can elevate your art to new heights, making every brushstroke a new adventure.
I hope your journey with gouache goes smoothly and doesn't end anytime soon!
Thank you for reading!
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