When Would You Use Gouache Paint?…

What do we use this paint for and why gouache? This paint can be scanned, so that it is then used for printing on materials etc. Because it is opaque, it can also be used to reproduce both cards and materials. The question is often asked if these are the same as poster paints, now you will find out.

I think it is fairly safe to say that many people are under the impression that poster paints are exactly the same, but this is not the case. Poster paint is a cheap paint consisting of proteins and a substantial amount of egg.

The surface, poster paint leaves, is different and it is quite usual, that you may find that your paper wrinkles when you use this. In the main, it may be used for craft work and, given its cheapness, we can see why.

It does not last all that well and often has a tendency to flake. However, it is definately a safe paint. Therefore it is used with children a lot, particularly in schools and nurseries. The fact that it is cheap makes this ideal and an added bonus in this instance.

Whereas gouache may appear similar, but this paint, as a medium, is water based. This is better than poster paint as a medium, because it gives you a better colour finish than poster paints would. Gouache paints are sold by the tube, whereas poster paints are sold in pots.

Gouache is deceiving when used, as we have all experienced, as you will find, that when they dry, they do not reflect the same colour they were when they were wet. Dark shades seem to dry lighter and light shades dry darker, in the main. They also have a matt finish.

This paint is also used on collages and for decoupage, but it can also be used on a variety of papers and other surfaces. I would go as far as to recommend this paint for painting landscapes, although I would be using a cold pressed paper.

Gouache has gum arabic added to its pigment which makes a nice consistency, similar to cream, and therefore produces a good flow when you use it. It can vary however, as not all paints have a similar amount of chalk added to the pigment. You will notice too, they may be labelled as permanent or semi permanent.

Artists often use this as their first layer of paint wash on their work. As for the type of brush you should use with this, I would say a sable, or synthetic sable brush. Should you make errors these are easy to rectify and can easily be repainted. You can also add thick layers when you are nearing the end of your painting.

This can crack as the paint is quite thick, so I would not recommend painting too many layers, but whatever you may do, refrain from diluting this too much with water. You can put these in a glass frame, but you would need a passe partout mat to stop them touching the glass.

Henri Matisse is one painter of notability that employed this medium, but today this is used to create designs for illustrations, posters and advertising in the commercial sector.