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Gouache Paint Review
Gouache is the same as watercolor because it is a water-based paint, except it is not transparent, it is opaque. Watercolor and gouache can be used together. Gouache should dry to a velvety matte finish. It can sometimes look creamy and chalky. Gouache could appear like an acrylic paint, but it reactivates when you add water to a finished piece like watercolor. Acrylic paint does not reactivate, it dries to a strong plastic-like finish. Gouache is often used in watercolor paintings as a highlight, or to fix a mistake, or an alternative to masking.
Gouache Brands Links:
Lukas Studio Gouache
Savior Faire Gouache
Holbein Irodori Artist Gouache
Winsor & Newton Designers Gouache
Artist's Loft Jelly Gouache
Arteza Paint Tubs (Jelly Gouache)
How I will judge the gouache I am testing?
1. Do they offer the usual basics like Blue, Red, & Yellow? Or modern color theory options like Magenta, Yellow, & Cyan?
2. How do they swatch? I am looking for opacity over black and white papers.
3. Consistency (Smooth? Creamy? Oily? Watery? Dry? Crumbly? Muddy?)
4. Dilution - is it watercolor-like?
5. Does the gouache have the ability to blend? Blending colors is important.
6. Do they reactivate?
The Paper
Stillman & Birn's Nova Trio Series Toned Softcover Sketchbook (Grey, Black, & Beige paper). I will be using just the gray paper. 150 gsm. It is best for dry media, light washes, and ink. I won't be using much water. Unlike watercolor, gouache doesn't need much water.
For the cheaper brands of gouache paint, jelly gouache, I used FiVE Below's HQ Fine Stroke Watercolor paper, 300 gsm.
Lukas Studio Gouache Paint
12-piece Set
Opaque White
Ivory Black
Permanent Green Deep
Primary Yellow
Cadmium Yellow Light
Yellow Ochre
Burnt Sienna
Violet Bluish
Ultramarine Deep
Primary Blue (Cyan)
Primary Red (Magenta)
Cadmium Red Deep
I created a Mauve Pink color for the Tulip. I love how some areas of the painting look vibrant in color, but a chalky velvet in other areas. I can see that being annoying, but it ended up giving it more depth and interest to the piece. I felt like I had control over what I was creating which meant I did not feel frustrated at all. In the past I did not like Lukas Studio Gouache paints and the thing is, I don't like gouache for portraits. I am happy I gave these paints another chance on a different subject.
1. Primary Colors
The primaries mixed beautifully to create other colors. You can definitely rely on a limited palette.
2. How do they swatch? Is there opacity over black and white.
Some colors are more opaque than others. If you paint on black, I suggest mixing a lot of white on it to give it maximum opacity. Otherwise they will not stand out against the black watercolor paper.
3. Consistency (Smooth? Creamy? Oily? Watery? Dry? Crumbly?)
Smooth and creamy consistency. It was a pleasure to use them.
4. Dilution - is it watercolor vibrant or dull?
Yes, too much water lead to a colorful watercolor. Not dull. Although at times it can dry chalky.
5. Does the gouache have the ability to blend?
Yes. The best part was that the set came with 10 colors, there were many options.
6. Do they reactivate?
Yes, I was able to use them the next day and I did not even cover them to protect them.
Savoir Faire Gouache Paint
20-piece Set, but I only used:
Ultramarine Blue
Bright Orange
Lemon Yellow
Primary Yellow
Light Green
Permanent Green
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I used to be a big fan of Savior Faire's gouache paints when I was in college. I wonder if the quality decreased over the years or my preferences have changed? Perhaps they were on the store shelf for too long? I did not like the yellow tulip I created because of the quality of the paint. I did not enjoy creating this at all. Adding highlights and shadows seem to be impossible because it would reactivate the dried layer below it to reveal the paper. |
1. Primary Colors
The primaries did not mix well on my palette when I wanted to create other colors.
2. How do they swatch? I am looking for opacity over black and white.
They look vibrant on white and toned paper.
3. Consistency (Smooth? Creamy? Oily? Watery? Dry? Crumbly?)
The paint did not move unless I used an obscene amount of water, which made them transparent. Gouache should be opaque. It was like trying to spread peanut butter on paper. That is exactly what I did in order to achieve an opaque look, but you can see through to the paper in some areas.
4. Dilution - when turned into a watercolor, is it vibrant or dull?
Yes, too much water lead to a vibrant watercolor. Not dull.
5. Does the gouache have the ability to blend colors?
No. It was a struggle.
6. Do they reactivate?
Sometimes they reactivated and other times it was like it was permanent. They were crumbly and I struggled to reactivate them. They could only offer a watercolor consistency.
Holbein Irodori Artist Gouache Paint
Hummingbird Blue
Myosotis Blue
Peony
Light Ochre
Zine White
Permanent White
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These are my favorite watercolor paints. The colors are gorgeous and not basic at all. |
1. Primary Colors
The colors I have are not really traditional primaries like blue, red, & yellow because I received them from ArtSnacks or SketchBox. Personally, I think Cyan, Magenta, & Yellow are better at color mixing. The colors did mix beautifully together.
2. How do they swatch? I am looking for opacity over black and white.
I loved how the colors mixed beautifully together. Excellent opacity. I love that they remained vibrant when color mixing.
3. Consistency (Smooth? Creamy? Oily? Watery? Dry? Crumbly?)
Creamy, easy to use, beautiful.
4. Dilution - is it watercolor vibrant or dull?
When watered down to be made into a watercolor, they were still vibrant and gorgeous when watered down. I will eventually use them to create a watercolor painting.
5. Does the gouache have the ability to blend?
Absolutely! I have many dream art purchases on my wish list and the Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter Irodori Sets are on that wish list. They are painfully expensive, but so beautifully pigmented and satisfying to use. They are about $85.00 each, would love to have every set, but I would rather use that money on a vacation instead.
6. Do they reactivate?
They do reactivate. If you are layering a piece and want to add a new layer, try to use the least amount of water, or no water.
Winsor & Newton Designers Gouache Primary Color Set
6-piece Set + Bonus
Zinc White
Ivory Black
Primary Yellow
Primary Red
Primary Blue
Permanent Green Middle
Gold Ochre (Not a part of the set, but I found it in clearance for $1.00)
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This summer I had earned a $5 reward from the arts and crafts store, Michaels. On my birthday they sent me a $10 reward and a 40% off coupon. This set was originally $59.99 for only 6 tubes of paint! Crazy. I got it for $22.00. I patiently waited to buy this set. Quality gouache paint is usually the most expensive paint, aside from Oil Paint. This gouache paint looks lovely on 300+ gsm paper, but it does not look good on 150 gsm paper. I somehow managed to create a tulip that almost looks like an x-ray.
1. Primary Colors
Blue, Red and Yellow. They are vibrant and create beautiful greens and purples. The red and yellow creates a weird orange, it wasn't bright but a pumpkin color. I would suggest purchasing an orange to complete the set.
2. How do they swatch? I am looking for opacity over black and white.
They work great on black paper. Terrific opacity.
3. Consistency (Smooth? Creamy? Oily? Watery? Dry? Crumbly?)
Creamy and Smooth.
4. Dilution - is it watercolor vibrant or dull?
It is vibrant at times, but other times it dries chalky.
5. Does the gouache have the ability to blend? Blending colors is important.
Absolutely. The color combinations are beautiful. It has an earthy warmth to the colors.
6. Do they reactivate?
Yes.
Artist's Loft Jelly Gouache (Himi knock-off)
24 color set for $24, but check for sales, the other day I saw this 24-set for $14.99.
These paints were fun to use, but after a while it felt like a job. There is so much pre-work to do before you start painting. You have to stir the paints, use distilled water to reactivate, otherwise you risk the paint developing mold. While you are mixing the paint, it get everywhere, no matter how careful you are. These are great for people who think finger painting is cute and fun. I don't like getting my hands too dirty. Haha! I feel like I might avoid using these paints because they're so messy and I will probably reach for my tube gouache paints instead.
1. Primary Colors
I think so, but they have fancy names. The red they have is called Ponceau. Acid Blue is like a cyan, while the ultramarine is a great dark jeweled tone blue. Yellow is called Lemon Yellow. However no magenta.
2. How do they swatch? I am looking for opacity over black and white.
Yes, they remain vibrant over black.
3. Consistency (Smooth? Creamy? Oily? Watery? Dry? Crumbly?)
Very smooth and creamy when you first use them. However, afterwards they are kind of a muddy and oily texture. You will have to either use chopsticks or toothpicks to mix them to a smooth consistency again. Not all return to the smooth texture. I heard many artists say that using distilled water in a spray bottle will reactivate the jelly gouache, regular water will mold them.
4. Dilution - is it watercolor vibrant or dull?
These jelly gouaches create vibrant watercolors.
5. Does the gouache have the ability to blend? Blending colors is important.
Yes, you can create gorgeous colors.
6. Do they reactivate?
Yes they do! I try make sure the first layer dries and I use a damp, not wet brush to place the next layer. However, they reactivate too easily even when you are careful.
Arteza Jelly Gouache (Himi knock-off)
$25 for 24-colors.
The experience I had with the Artist's Loft jelly gouache tub paints is the same experience I had with Arteza's version. However, there are mostly neon / fluorescent colors, very little regular paint colors to work from. If you are feeling fancy but on a budget, I suggest purchasing this set in addition to the Artist's Loft set. The colors are beautiful and vivid as well.
1. Primary Colors
The closest to primary I can find is Vermillion Red, Ultramarine Blue, and Neon Lemon Yellow. It's kind of an unorthodox mix. However, no magenta or non-neon yellow. There is an obscene amount of neon colors and they are vibrant and beautiful.
2. How do they swatch? I am looking for opacity over black and white.
They are opaque and colorful over white or black.
3. Consistency (Smooth? Creamy? Oily? Watery? Dry? Crumbly?)
Very smooth consistency, however, time will tell if they will remain smooth or because muddy-textured like the Artist's Loft jelly gouache set.
4. Dilution - is it watercolor vibrant or dull?
Absolutely! Beautiful vibrant colors.
5. Does the gouache have the ability to blend? Blending colors is important.
The color blend well with other colors.
6. Do they reactivate?
Yes they do! I felt a need to brush on thick layers to cover the paint underneath that dissolved and mixed with the new layer of paint. Same thing happened with Artist's Loft too. It might be a Jelly Gouache thing.
RESULTS
If you have cash to burn, I recommend...
Holbein Irodori Artist Gouache Paint. I suggest purchasing the Holbein Irodori Autumn or Spring sets because they don't have black or white in them. Then purchase white on the side. That way you get more color choices to play with. Most artists just mix their own black.
Honorable Mention: If you can find a good deal, I would recommend Winsor & Newton next. However, if you are going to spend money with more color choices in a set, Holbein is the best.
If you are on a budget, I recommend...
Lukas Studio Gouache Paint $10 for 12 paints. I love the Tulip I created with it. My favorite because it wasn't messy.
If you don't mind messy, I suggest Artist's Loft or Arteza, they tie because they were so similar. You get 24 colors. You can purchase at Michaels' which is awesome because if you get a great coupon it's less than $20.
Gouache Paint Hacks
🖌 Quality gouache paint is ridiculously expensive. I suggest buying a basic set and mix your own colors if you're on a budget.
🖌 If you want more color choices, buy a big tube of white gouache to mix with watercolors.
🖌 The store Five Below offers $5 watercolor paper 300 gsm. That's cheap! The best watercolor paper is usually 300 gsm or more, that includes Arches. You get 36 sheets of 9x12 inch paper. You also have the choice to cut it into smaller pieces to extend the amount of sheets you have.
🖌 Sign up for art store email newsletters to find out what is on sale. Check the clearance section first. Michaels sometimes offers $10 coupons for your birthday.
🖌 Acrylic Gouache is an acrylic that looks like gouache, but once it is dry you cannot reactivate it. I suggest painting the first layer with acrylic. You can create layers with gouache from there.
Jerry's Artarama sells my favorite acrylic gouache, Turner Acryl Gouache. It is affordable and they have gorgeous colors. However, they dry fast! They would be the best for setting a foundation for a gouache painting or to draw over with ink or gel ink pens.
I hope my review and research helps you decide on what to invest in. Happy Painting!
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