If you’ve ever tried watercolor and are curious about gouache, keep reading because I’ve got 10 reasons why you’ll love gouache!

I’ve been painting with gouache since summer of 2023 for my 100 day project (although I’ve had my hands on the Holbein set since 2021). And as a watercolorist since 2016, I’ve found that gouache was a natural step in learning because they’re very similar. Yet the unique characteristics that gouache offers open doors for new styles and effects.

10 Reasons You’ll Love Gouache

1. Gouache is versatile

Watercolors is beautiful because of its transparent nature but gouache is special because you can do BOTH transparent and opaque painting. So if you’ve ever wanted your watercolors to be a bit more opaque and thicker in application, then you will love gouache!

2. You can blend easily with gouache

Gouache is a water-based medium, so you can blend just as easily like watercolor. While it may not spread as spontaneously as watercolor, you can still play around, experiment, and see what happens! I’ve had some gouache really spread wildly, so you never know.. until you try.

3. You can reactivate gouache with water

You’ll love gouache because you won’t actually be wasting as much as you think! You can reactivate them easily just like watercolor. I still don’t recommend pouring gouache into half pans and using them like traditional watercolors. I prefer using tube paints of gouache and using a palette. The only other downside to using reactivated gouache is that you won’t get quite the same consistency and full opacity because of the amount of water you have to add in order to reactivate it. Just another reason why I prefer tube paints!

4. You can layer gouache just like watercolor

Since you can water down gouache to make it more transparent, you are then basically using it like watercolor. From there, you can layer just like watercolor whether it’s to increase the value or change the temperature.

Another big advantage to gouache is the opacity. So you can layer a lighter color on top of a darker color with no problem.

5. Gouache has a matte and velvety finish

The finish might come down to personal preference. Some people like the luminous finish of watercolors, and some prefer the flat, matte look of gouache. Gouache is unique in the way that it can be a bit of both. But at its full strength, gouache has a matte look without it looking dull or drab.

6. Gouache is easy to clean

I’ve used this porcelain palette for almost my entire 100 day project. I’ve only cleaned out one or two of the wells in order to replace it with another color. It’s so easy to clean that all I need to do is run it under water, take a wad of paper towel, and wipe it clean. I might have to scrub a little bit if the dried paint is a bit thick. But it doesn’t take much effort, and everything can go straight down the drain.

7. Gouache dries pretty fast

Since you don’t use as much water to paint with gouache, you’ll find that it dries fairly fast. During my livestreams, though, I still used a hair dryer to speed up the process. But I could’ve easily walked away for 5 minutes and come back to a completely dried painting. A fast drying time is an advantage for those that like to layer or work quickly.

8. Gouache is so vibrant and bright

I absolutely love my Holbein artist gouache – the variety and vibrancy are superb. Even when you mix different colors or the white into it, the opacity is maintained and it doesn’t dull the colors.

These colors just can’t be beat! Check out this video of my Irodori sets or read the post.

9. You can use the same supplies as you would for watercolor

If you’re the type that would be annoyed because you have to buy a number of additional supplies or accessories for a new paint medium, don’t worry! You’ll love gouache because you can use essentially the same supplies.

While some artists may use different brushes or other paper, I haven’t had to buy too many new things. I’ll make a different post on some of the extra supplies I did purchase.. but you can make do with what you already have probably.

10. You can correct mistakes

You can scrub and lift just like watercolor. You can also layer on top of the mistake since the paints are opaque. Some colors may be a bit more staining, so just make sure to do some swatches and tests before you try to lift. But for the most part, gouache is forgiving just like watercolor.

BONUS! Gouache is perfect for illustrations

I do love watercolor for illustrations, don’t get me wrong. But maybe it’s the opacity, or vibrancy, or matte-ness of gouache that makes it even more fun to paint with. I also realized that I enjoy painting with gouache when I have a sketch. It’s easier to kind of control where the paint goes because the paint consistency is a little thicker.

So there you have it! If you’re into watercolor, then I think you’ll love gouache because of these reasons. It’s just similar enough so that it doesn’t feel so foreign. But it’s unique enough that it’ll still challenge and surprise you.

Be on the lookout because I’ll have tutorials and more gouache videos coming your way!

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