101 Episode 1 - Gouache 101 for beginners

In this episode of my new "101s" series, I cover all the basics of (waterbased) gouache that a beginner to it might want to know or need to know. This isn't intended to be all encompassing - it covers the basics and shows some common misconceptions e.g. trying to use it for wet-in-wet methods. My 101s series will be very occasional but will cover the basics of different techniques or groups of techniques.

Starting out with gouache, you may find the following products useful - I've searched out the best prices I can find, which are correct as of 30th July 2016. Please note that these are Amazon Associate Scheme links, which are explained in the video.

748 Zinc White (37mL tube) - can be added at 7-15% to any watercolour to turn it into a basic gouache - this could be a cost-effective place to start:

Winsor & Newton Introductory Designer's Gouache Set - this has 10 x 14mL tubes and is phenomenal value even at full price.

Winsor & Newton Designer's Gouache Primary Colours Set - this has 6 x 14mL tubes and, again, is amazing value - this is the set I first started with myself:

I find cold-press watercolour paper the best for gouache myself - I think 100% cotton papers have a texture that seems to hold on to the paint a little better, so I recommend Saunders Waterford paper, which I find gouache works well on. This is my personal opinion and I have not been given anything in return for recommending this product, but it is a beautiful paper that I find gouache really works well on. This is a white, cold-press, 140lb, 100% cotton watercolour paper block, 14" x 10":

[GreenBlueClouds]

I love this, your explanation isn't shrouded in ambiguity. I appreciate your care of the actual materials and their uses and effects.

[SunnysEyes]

You might like to try M. Graham gouache. They are more vibrant and opaque than Windsor and Newton and most of their colors are highly lightfast. They are my favorite brand for watercolor​ and acrylic as well. They are also way more affordable, at least in the U.S.

[nancysmitherman]

Thank-you for the information. I recently purchased a small set of gouache and have only used the white. You gave a lot of information that will make it easier for me to proceed with the other colors.

[jaquelinedeponce]

My first visit to your channel and I’m so very glad to have found it! I’m a self taught watercolor artist, originally painting in oils, then many years back, in acrylics. I had to change the mediums I had used because of my family. I have found great success painting in watercolor the last few decades. As with all other artists, I am always looking to discover different ways in which to express myself. It’s been exciting to be able to use different drawing and painting mediums over the years. I have done much research on gouache paints the last couple of months, looking for a good quality of paints that would meet my expectations. I never buy inferior artist’s supplies. I have recently received a lovely Holbein Artists Gouache Set of 24 x 15ml tubes purchased through Amazon. This is NOT a designer quality of paint! It’s an artist’s quality paint and they are lightfast. Now I’m in search of learning how to use this new medium. Unfortunately there is not much out there on how to use water based gouache. I have amassed an extensive collection of watercolor watercolor books over the years but, most of them do not touch on the way to use gouache, except to use as in lighter accents. I’m really looking forward to seeing what you will have posted on this medium in the near future! Please keep up the good work!

[edoe]

This is very helpful, especially the part about using zinc white + wc to make gouache mixes. Thank you for taking the time to film it, and show the differences between wc and gouache characteristics! -Erin

[junbug]

Thank you for this! I just got my first set of gouache. I normally use watercolors and had no idea how to use gouache.

[MoMaryR]

Lots of good info, thank you. I dug out my little set of Gouache, used for card-making etc. They are quite nice but it doesn't say whether they are acrylic or water based.

[candicetysick]

well after having watched this video and a few others on how to properly paint with gouache I can absolutely say that I was taught completely wrong in school. I might actually pull out the tubes and try again and really enjoy the medium this time

[clemlank]

Find your video's full of great information, did wonder if the gouache contaminated water may have affected how the watercolor dispersed.

[thekeddi]

Thanks for making this video. I have just started using Gouache and really enjoy it as it acts a lot like oil paint in some ways only its much easier to use. I only have cheap ones but have been looking at the Winsor and newton set for a while. I might have to take the leap and grab some. Thanks again for all of the information!

[haicautrang]

Wow, very informative. I'm glad I found your videos. I recently bought a 6 color set of Winsor and Newton gouache and was quite surprised to see the odd color choices included in the set. Now it makes a lot more sense to me. I'll have to experiment more with it. Thank you.

[irishcolleeninmn]

Thank you again for this great video.. A year ago, I had to leave school as I was studying graphic design due to my health. We used gouache in Colory Theory class, which I loved. Your video is the best I have found so far. Most people doing videos don't know simple things like CYNK. I thought your demonstration on watercolor vs gouache was very valuable. Now I know exactly why I hate watercolors - they are so bleedy. With gouache, I get both a watercolor look and control over my medium. Tthe exercise with the grayscale was helpful.Also, I never knew that I could correct gouache with some white. I loved the color chart that you made. If you haven't done so already, I would love a video on making a color chart such as the one you made. You covered many different topics at a good speed without rambling. I thought that you gave a lot of great basics that I would learn in school if I had the opportunity.

[Linda-qqmg]

Your tutorial is so interesting and informative! I learned so much from it! Thank you so very much.

[RosyJalifi]

You are a delight to watch. Very informative

[TheRokkis]

I really love your ecological thinking, I think it's important, even if it's small steps in grand scale. And also as, well, not wealthy I appreciate all the possible saving in terms of resources. Though I think I'd still be very DIY even if I was filthy rich, I just love using stuff to their very end. That's a good way to make tools you like them to be and it's a learning experience itself, it also devotes you in a very different way than just buying stuff. I just realized I got 3 squirrels tails from my fly tying period (they were already dead when I found them, thank god for winter and freezing temperatures) and those could be turned into brushes. I'm yet to see, but I think I can make some high quality brushes even with some practise.

Now I just wish I'd put as much time to paint as I do to manufacture all the utensils =D

And I appreciate you taking the time to tell us what's in the colors, how and why they work the way they do.

[patmcdonagh]

Excellent, what a treat & thank you so much I learned a great deal from your video..

[lovepeace]

The best and most informative gouache video ~ thank you 🙏 ~ so many great take aways and tips to build on !!!

[ianjackson]

thank rich that's a great run down on gauche and ill let people know about it as some people do ask what the difference is, keep up the good work and thank for sharing that info

[irishcolleeninmn]

This is a really excellent tutorial. Thank you so much! Could you recommend a few channels with gouache technique?

[donnamay]

This is amazing. I really learned a lot.