GOUACHE limited palette (5 colors) ✶ Advice and tips

You only need a few tubes of paint to get started with gouache. In this video I'll share an in-depth look at my gouache palette. This "lesson" is all about what colors I use and why. I'll share how I like to use a limited palette and you would be AMAZED at what you can achieve with only 5 colors. Almost every gouache painting I've shared here and on Instagram was made with mixing around 5 colors. The proof is in the pudding...err..sketchbook!

All colors in my palette, besides cobalt turquoise light, are non-toxic.

Beginner friendly Paintalongs:

All my Colors + Supply List:

Printable mixing charts (Sign up for my newsletter and instantly download my mixing charts)

00:00 Intro
00:51 What colors I own
03:45 Why use mixing charts?
05:54 Landscape examples
09:23 Beware of phthalos
11:22 My desert island colors
12:19 Let's make a mixing chart
13:00 Why I use a limited palette
14:49 Why I chose my 5 favorite colors
19:51 Mixing neutrals and greys

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[pinkflamingo]

Very nice, Sarah, thanks! Good accompaniment to my morning coffee ☺️. I’ve a question about Prussian Blue … is it as lightfast (or not) as its watercolor version, and then, if it’s used in mixtures, would those mixtures be compromised by it? Really enjoying your videos. 🦩🌺

[charityhipwell]

I would love a detailed description on how you achieved the beautiful neutral chart.

[kirsten]

That tree on the opposite page from your muted swatches is magical! No one paints like you, Sarah. 🤗

[DavZell]

I have another idea that might be useful for learners watching your channel. Your strips are great, but I have never taken the time to be so thorough. I did want to learn more about mixing greens in particular, though, so did something similar in a chart with just my blues/turquoise's and yellows/yellow-earths. Having a one-page reference with all the types of greens I could make was enlightening. I was very surprised at some of the outcomes. I hadn't even really thought turquoise would be a good green component, but it creates some really good, totally non-turquoisey colors! There are a few convenience greens I like that I never would have guessed how to make, but saw on my chart.

[triggerfish]

Desert island colours at 6:24., Lemon yellow, Alazarin Crimson, Cobalt turquoise light, Prussian Blue, perylene black (and white, natch)

[Sam-lpsj]

Dang the quality of paintings in that journal is amazing! Goals

[barefacedquestions]

This is such a cool and helpful video on color mixing in gouache. I never thought of using turquoise green as a base mixing color. Interesting that you recommend Winsor Newton. They are one of the few brands who make looking up the pigment info of their paints so easily.

[samanthadouglas]

Very educational! Can you please consider making a vid on how you create your color strips (mixing cards)?

[SuperPonygal]

Your limited palette is a wonderful, classic cymk choice of colors.

[Toniamm]

I’ve learnt so much from your channel, thanks for another great video!

[barbaralibner]

Fabulous video, thank you! I’m learning so much.

[andreasun]

It's so meditative to watch you make this colour chart! And super helpful to hear your thoughts on why you chose these colours. Thank you for sharing!

[blackhellebore]

Omg. The mix sticks are an excellent idea! Especially for me as a newbie - I can picture the colour I want but have no idea how to get there.

[prerna]

As always.. so loaded with learning, and simplified for a beginner :) I am just starting with goauche, after about a year of working with watercolours.. and it’s so tempting to hoard colours (I already have more than I would ever use). But working with a limited palette will help so much with understanding color! Thanks Sarah :)

[SUSSDUE]

Brilljant! I would never have thought about turquoise an Perylene Green! Now off to my paintcuboard to see if I have any of your colour choices! I certainly have to try this palette, thank you so much for the video!

[maudiis]

I'm about to start my gouache journey and you videos are being a great guide as how to start. Thankyou

[ekisde]

I would love to see how you made those little vertical colour charts! it would be so helpful too!

[Cerydwyn]

This is super helpful, thank you. I definitely need to make the longer swatches for my gouache and watercolours

[davecolumbus]

My palette used to be two reds, two yellows, two blues, burnt sienna, and white when I painted on a regular basis. This palette would allow me to reduce that number by two. Going to purchase a few I don't own and give this new 5-color palette a try.

[pinsel_und_farbe_nails]

I'm really glad i just discovered your channel. Your artwork is so inspiring 😊👍