Learning to use Gouache Paints

As a beginner to gouache painting, I am excited about learning how to use the medium and gain experience as I try to paint with gouache. Gouache is a type of water-based paint that has a unique characteristic of being opaque, which makes it different from other watercolor paints. Here are some tips to get started with gouache painting.

Gouache paints can be found in tubes or pans, and it is essential to choose a good quality set to get started. You will also need watercolor paper, brushes, and a palette for mixing colors. I chose the Himi Gouache Paint with a set of 24 colors. It comes with three brushes, and I have many more brushes I have acquired over the years. I even got this cool canvas brush holder. The Himi Gouache paint set comes with a palette for mixing colors. Fortunately, I have several palettes both plastic and ceramic. Several years back I purchase some small ceramic saucers at a thrift store for very little money. I have several different watercolor paper pads and sheets. I have mainly been using the gouache, practicing really, in my sketchbook which I have no idea what the brand name is for the sketchbook. I have a couple of sets of palette knives I can use for mixing as well.

Gouache paint has a thicker consistency than watercolor, so it can be applied in layers over the previous layer without reactivating the lower layer. Allowing the previous layer to completely dry before applying the next layer and not using as much water and fewer brush strokes. Gouache colors can be mixed much like acrylic and oil paints.

One of the most important aspects of gouache painting is color mixing. It is essential to understand the primary colors and they interact with each other to create secondary and tertiary colors, much like of mediums such as acrylic and oil paints. I have plans to spend time practicing creating color swatch combinations using color swatches I get from stores like HomeDepot and Lowe’s.

Unlike watercolor, gouache allows you to layer colors without worrying about the previous layer reactivating for the most part. You can use this technique to build up the intensity of colors and create depth in your paintings.

As with any new medium, it’s natural to make mistakes. Gouache is a forgiving medium, and you can always paint over mistakes once the paint has dried. This has been my experience with other mediums as well. I have painted over my acrylic paintings more than once.

Gouache painting allows you to explore various techniques, such as wet-on-wet, wet-on-dry, and dry brush. You can also use different brushes to create different effects.

Practice makes progress, and the more you practice, the better you will become at gouache painting and art in general. Try to set aside some time each day to experiment with different techniques and create new paintings. My goal is to spend some time each night to draw and paint. I hope to see improvement over time.

In conclusion, gouache painting can be a fun and rewarding experience for beginners. With the right materials, understanding of the medium, practice, and experimentation, you can create beautiful paintings using gouache. So, grab some paints, paper, and brushes, and start creating!