The Ultimate Guide to Gouache Painting: Essential Materials and Tips

Gouache is a versatile and beautiful painting technique that is increasingly attracting artists. Combining the vibrant colors of watercolor with the opacity of acrylic, it is a favorite for illustrations, designs, and fine art. But what do you need to get started with gouache? In this blog, I will tell you what materials you need to start painting with gouache: paper, paint, brushes, and other supplies.

1. The right paper for gouache

Paper is a crucial part of the painting process. The right paper ensures that your paint flows smoothly without bubbling or tearing.

  • Thickness and weight : Choose paper of at least 200 g/m² (grams per square meter) to prevent it from waving. I always use paper of at least 250 g/m².
  • Texture : A light texture, such as cold-pressed watercolor paper, is ideal. It holds the paint well and gives a nice grain to your work. If you like to experiment, you can also choose very smooth paper, for example.
  • Popular choices :
    • I find Claire Fontaine Paint' On very pleasant to work with. The paper is available in different colours, and there is also a version made of recycled paper.
    • Arches Watercolor paper (high quality).
    • Canson XL Mixed Media (affordable and versatile).

Tip : I always use a sketch pad to work out my ideas before working on premium paper. If I like the sketch, I trace it over with tracing paper so I can 'copy' the sketch onto the watercolor paper.

2. The right paint: Gouache types and brands

Not all gouache paint is created equal. The quality of the paint determines how vibrant and opaque your colours are.

  • Student-grade vs. artist-grade :
    • Student-grade : Cheaper, ideal for beginners. Examples include Winsor & Newton Designers Gouache and Talens Art Creation.
    • Artist Grade : More expensive, with more intense pigments and better coverage. Brands like Holbein and Schmincke Horadam are used by professionals. My favorite brand is the French LeFranc & Bourgeois. This brand is also used by the designers of the big jewelry houses like Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels, and has beautiful intense colors.
  • Color Palette : Start with a basic set of primary colors (red, blue, yellow), white, and black. Expand later with specific shades such as ochre or ultramarine blue.

Tip : Invest in a good tube of white, because you use this a lot for blending and highlights. There are different shades of white, I always use titanium white.

3. Brushes: Which type works best?

Your choice of brushes has a huge impact on the detail and flow of your painting.

  • Material : Synthetic brushes work great for gouache because they are flexible and do not absorb paint like natural bristles.
  • Forms :
    • Round brushes : For fine lines and details.
    • Flat brushes : For large areas and clean edges.
    • Fan-shaped brushes : For soft transitions and textures.
  • Kolinsky brushes : These premium brushes are made from the hair of the Siberian weasel (Kolinsky marten). They are known for their exceptional flexibility, point retention and paint pick-up. Although they are more expensive, they are praised by many professionals for their durability and precise control, especially with fine details. I use brushes from the French brand Raphael because I can draw super precisely with them.
  • Popular brands : Princeton, Da Vinci, Escoda and Series 7 by Winsor & Newton, offer quality options for every artist. The brands Raphael and Isabey have good quality Kolinsky brushes in their assortment.

Tip : Get a set with different sizes, from small (size 0 or 1) to larger (size 10 or 12), so you can work in a versatile way.

4. Other supplies: Handy tools

Besides paper, paint and brushes, there are a few additional materials you will need:

  • Mixing Palette : A porcelain or plastic palette for mixing paint. A white surface helps you judge colors better.
  • Water containers : At least two containers of water: one to clean your brushes and a second with clean water for mixing.
  • Tissue or kitchen paper : To remove excess water from your brush.
  • Masking tape : To secure your paper to a flat surface so it doesn’t curl. Masking tape is easy to remove and won’t damage your paper. Also handy for sticking your tracing paper to your sketch.
  • Tracing paper : For tracing sketches.

Tip : Sometimes a challenge for me, but it really works best: keep your workspace organized with a storage box for all your tools.

Conclusion: Start with gouache today!

With these supplies at home, you are ready to start painting gouache. Remember, practice and experimentation are the keys to mastering this versatile technique. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced artist, the right tools can help you create beautiful creations.

What materials do you use for your gouache artworks? Let me know in the via the contact form !

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