Watercolor vs Gouache: What's the Difference?

Think gouache is just opaque watercolor? Think again! 🙂

Both are water-soluble, and both are used on paper. But beyond opacity, there are also some key differences in how they’re used.

💧Watercolor's ethereal stained-glass quality requires that color is applied in thin veils, leaving layers visible. This mean that the source of white (and light ☀️) come from the paper.
🤍 With gouache, white paint is used to achieve tints and highlights—just like with oils and acrylics.
🎨 With its quick drying time and matte finish, gouache is a favorite of designers, illustrators, and photographers. It’s versatile, spontaneous, and perfect for both wide blocks of color and painting as you go.
💦 Watercolor paintings can be stylistically “loose”—but as a medium, it requires a high degree of control.

Thoughts? Questions? Have a personal favorite? Leave us a comment ⬇️

👩🏻‍🦱 Presentation by Mazi, who works on the BLICK Merchandising Team!
🎥 Filmed at BLICK Studios in Chicago, Illinois
🤗 Thanks to our vendor partners at Winsor & Newton and Royal Talens for the supporting footage.
🫶🏽 Special thanks to the following artists whose artwork we featured here: Sarah Simon, Kelley Vivian, Kate Birch, Katie White, Candace Fincher, pooja Shah, Joy Ting Charde.
_______________
#blickartmaterials #watercolors #gouache #arttips #createwithblick