The Magic of Gouache ~ A Painting Guide for Beginners
Over the last two weeks I have been playing with Gouache, and I have to say that I like it a lot.
In this post I want to give you an overview of this captivating medium and hope you will give it a go too.
What is Gouache?
Gouache (pronounced “goo-aash” or “gwash”) is a versatile medium that sits at the crossroads of watercolour and acrylic paints. Often referred to as “opaque watercolour” gouache offers artists a set of unique qualities that make it stand out in the realm of painting.
Unique Qualities of Gouache
- Opaque and Vibrant Colours: Unlike transparent watercolours, these paints are opaque, which means you can layer them to create rich, vivid colours that pop off the page. This quality allows for both delicate, translucent washes and bold, solid areas of colour.
- Rewettable: Gouache paints can be reactivated with water even after they’ve dried, making it easy to correct mistakes or adjust your artwork as you go along. This makes gouache an ideal medium for artists who enjoy experimenting and refining their work.
- Matte Finish: The paint dries to a beautiful matte finish, providing a soft, velvety texture to your artwork. This quality is particularly appealing for artists looking to create visually striking and tactile pieces.
- Blendable: You can seamlessly merge colours on the palette or directly on your canvas to achieve smooth gradients and transitions.
- Versatile: This medium can be used for various styles of painting, from realism and portraiture to impressionism and abstraction. Its adaptability means you can experiment with different techniques and approaches until you find the one that resonates with you.
Why Choose Gouache?
- Beginner-Friendly: Gouache is a fantastic medium for beginners because it’s forgiving and easy to work with. Its opaque nature allows for corrections and layering without fear of ruining your artwork.
- Quick Drying: These paints dry relatively quickly compared to oil paints. This allows artists to work efficiently and build layers without waiting for extended drying times.
- Accessible Materials: Gouache paints and supplies are readily available at art stores and online. Which makes it accessible to artists of all levels and budgets.
- Limitless Creativity: The blendability of this medium allows you to experiment endlessly. Whether you’re a realist or an abstract artist, you can push the boundaries of your creativity with this medium.
- A Bridge Between Watercolour and Acrylic: If you have experience with watercolours or acrylics, gouache can be a delightful bridge between the two, offering the best of both worlds.
How to Get Started with Gouache
Gather Your Supplies
You don’t need much to begin. A few tubes of paint (you can start with just the primaries plus white), some synthetic brushes or even natural hair brushes if you already have them, and a pad of sturdy watercolour or mixed media paper are all you need to start experimenting. Gouache paint often comes in a paint tube, and a little goes a long way. You can always add a touch of water to reawaken dried paint later.
A ceramic plate or palette works perfectly for mixing, and a jar of clean water (you don’t need too much water) will keep your colours fresh without making them thin and runny. I bought a big plastic palette and just leave the dried paint on the palette until I need it again. So nothing goes to waste.
Play with Colour
Before diving into a full painting, it’s a great idea to explore how your colours mix together. Gouache’s opacity is part of what makes it so magical. With acrylic gouache you can paint light over dark, add fine details once the first layer dries, or soften edges with a damp brush.
If you’d like a little help mixing or trying out your colours, I have a post on creating an easy colour wheel to get to know your paints.
Your Next Steps with Gouache
Now that you’ve gathered your supplies and tried your first brushstrokes, it’s time to keep going. The best way to grow your confidence with gouache is to paint a little bit every day, even if it’s just ten minutes. Regular practice helps you understand how much water to use, how the colours behave, and how to bring your ideas to life.
Try These Simple Exercises
If you’re not sure where to start, here are a few easy ideas:
- Paint colour swatches and note how each shade looks when diluted with more or less water.
- Create a colour wheel to explore mixing and discover your favorite combinations. (You can follow my step-by-step guide here)
- Choose one object, like a shell, a cup, or a flower, and paint it three times, experimenting with different colour palettes or brush sizes.
Each small study teaches you something new about your paints, your brushes, and your own creative rhythm.
Try a free 7 Day Gouache Art Challenge
If you’d like a gentle nudge to keep painting, I’ve created a free Art Challenge Bundle — it includes a 7-Day Tracker and 12 Creative Ideas to inspire your gouache practice. It’s a lovely, low-pressure way to explore this new medium and discover your own style along the way.
Let me know if you give it a go.
