Gouache vs. Watercolor: Which is Right for You?

In this video I paint the same image twice - once with watercolor, and once with gouache. The mediums are essentially the same, but they behave differently. I explain the difference, and discuss how that affects your approach to the painting process so we can compare gouache vs watercolor.

0:00 introduction
1:00 drawing for gouache and watercolor
2:06 background with gouache and watercolor
4:46 painting the mushroom with gouache and watercolor
8:29 final details
10:21 conclusion

Videos mentioned:

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[sandybush]

Right now, I enjoy blocking in and doing backgrounds with watercolor and then details and finishing touches with gouache.

[ashleyhawkeswatercolor]

I prefer painting with watercolor, but I definitely liked your gouache mushroom more than the watercolor version. Very nice comparison!

[sujanithtottempudi]

Gouache is really forgiving.... watercolour needs lot of planning ahead...at each step

[akasunas]

thank you for this comparison! for some reason watercolor has always been much easier for me, even though it is very unforgiving. i have been trying to get more comfortable with gouache but it is really hard since it’s a completely different way of thinking! i always end up using too much water 😅 your videos encourage me to keep trying!

[jenp]

I really enjoyed this exercise. I struggled to get a decent green for the grass, probably because I had a limited cheap gouache palette, but I definitely liked the depth of colour of the background.

[debbiedrawsfunny]

I prefer the velvety matte look of the gouache and I’m still just a beginner. Your tutorials are really helpful!

[dantheboardgameman]

Merci Cécile pour cette démonstration ! Deux pigmentations solubles à l’eau mais différentes dans l’application de celles-ci. L’aquarelle est depuis longtemps un médium qui me plaît beaucoup, au final d’une peinture. Mais pour si rendre, c’est une aventure. Maintenir une couleur constante tout au long du procédé demande plus d’investissement en temps et essais que la gouache en contrepartie. Bien que la gouache sèche plus rapidement, elle permet une meilleure efficacité d’exécution, surtout en rapport avec des petites erreurs d’application. C’est vraiment une vidéo qui apporte une belle lumière sur le choix de l’un ou l’autre. Peut-être même qu’il y aurait un avantage pour le plein-air avec la gouache qui sèche plus rapidement ?

[sarahbradley]

Thank you SO MUCH for doing this video!! I started with watercolor but I really like the look of gouache. All your videos on this platform and Skillshare and your Etchr class I purchased have helped. I’m still on a mission to work on gouache color mixing and “seeing” the colors in my reference to apply the multiple shades/variations in a piece like you do. Thanks again! 😊

[Momcat]

Thank you, Cecile. I have always used watercolor but recently bought gouache to play with. Your tutorials are very helpful!

[arielle]

💗💓💖 Very helpful! Both your examples are lovely. I’ve been using watercolor for decades, but just started painting with gouache. I’m amazed at how much I like gouache and how unexpectedly luminous it can be!

[GregoryLongs]

To me, the tones, flow, and texture of the watercolor worked best. I would like to see a 3rd example of a watercolor painting blended lightly with Gouache. Very nice, thank you.

[Ayespirit]

Thank you so much you help me to know more about the difference between them

[Rosey]

Thank you. Gauoche is my preference. It was great to see your thought process, your application, and your lovely outcome. One thing though, I don’t think in the main when painting with Gouache you can use any paper. I find with most of my work I benefit from watercolour paper. And 300 grams is my preference it allows me to decide to work a little wetter than I may have initially thought.

[Gray]

that's an awesome one Cecile! i'm saving up to buy some good quality gouache! i love the vibrancy of just one coat of gouache in the background compared to watercolor, which took multiple coats.

[clarethornley]

Great video, thanks! I originally used acrylics, then watercolour for a couple of years, and then discovered gouache. So far I've just used it to paint greetings cards for friends and family but would like to expand that - it's such a versatile medium. I'll check out your workshop😊

[mgc]

My very first watercolor painting will be with gouache. Thanks for the Amanita painting!

[indianahoosier]

My favorite is watercolor only because I know that best... I'm having more and more fun with gouache though... and more and more success with it as well. And most recently I found out how to varnish/preserve gouache paintings too. Old dog learning new tricks...

[ae]

I first started painting years ago with acrylic as a total beginner and liked the opacity, but struggled with having paint dry and not being able to move it around. Last year I started taking watercolor classes, but it was so hard to transition to a transparent, water-based medium and having to think around highlights and paint backwards.

Now I’m going to give gouache a try as it seems to be the best of both worlds

[joelleledoux]

C’est très intéressant de vous voir faire le même tableau avec les deux médiums…. Je connais pas trop mal l’aquarelle mais je débute la gouache. Penser différemment est très perturbant au début…mais grâce à vos vidéos je persiste car c’est un médium très intéressant…merci beaucoup 👏🇫🇷

[deborahrodney]

It’s gouache all the way for me! I just love the look of it. Thank you for this video.