According to the dictionary, gouache is a type of paint made from pigments bound in water-soluble gum, it is similar to watercolour, but with the addition of a white pigment in order to make it opaque. Deriving from the Italian guazzo, the term was first used in France in the eighteen century, although the technique is much older (14th – 16th century).
Friedrich Schwinge, Charles Louis Lesaint, Alexandre-Marie Guillemin and Turner are among the first artists that used gouache, to name just a few.
As for the painting technique, gouache is a water based paint that can be used on its own or as part of the mixed media technique. It is heavier and more vividly coloured than watercolour and it is more similar to oil or acrylic when applied on the surface. It is recommended as a transitional medium to artists that are comfortable with working in watercolour but who might want to experiment with oil as well as to artists that want to obtain stronger colours than watercolour but they don’t necessarily want to work in acrylic or oil.
Although traditionally gouache is made from gum Arabic, nowadays the term may be used more generally as referring to any product which is opaque such as acrylic gouache. Enjoy our selection!
