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Watercolor vs. Gouache (Exploring Artistic Media)

8/15/2017

4 Comments

 
Watercolor vs. Gouache Differences Similarities
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How are watercolor and gouache different? How are they similar? What's the best way to test out two different painting mediums to see which is best for you?


One of my objectives during this phase of my art journey is to experiment with as many kinds of paint and supplies I can get my hands on. I think this is an essential part of discovering one's personal preferences and style. 

It is only through firsthand experimentation that an artist can discover which types of media are most enjoyable for him/her and, most importantly, which complement personal style most. 


If you've followed my work you probably already know that I have mostly been focusing on watercolor and mixed-media. I have recently started painting in oils and am enjoying working with them very much. I have experience with acrylics and know that I'm not particularly fond of them.

​After viewing a few very talented artists on YouTube (the great James Gurney being one of them), I became curious about gouache, especially because I heard it being compared to watercolor so much. So I bought myself a set and was very excited to try it out. 

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A Useful Way to Compare Two Different Painting Mediums


What I did for this experiment was to first find a reference image that I could use to paint two separate studies, one with watercolor and another with gouache. 

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I went for an image that wasn't too complex, so that I could allow myself to focus more on getting to know the paint than on creating a masterpiece. I chose this pear image from www.unsplash.com and created the two paintings below. You will see that the styles are very different. 

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Pear picture for art
Click on photo to go to original source at www.unsplash.com.


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Gouache pear painting by Erika Lancaster
Gouache pear painting by Erika Lancaster

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Watercolor pear painting by Erika Lancaster
Watercolor pear painting by Erika Lancaster


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Winsor & Newton Cotman Tube Set

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Princeton Aqua Elite Watercolor Brushes


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Himi Gouache Paint Set



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Himi Gouache Brush Set


​For a complete list of my current favorite art supplies, go here. 

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Arches Hot Press 100% Cotton Watercolor Paper

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After completing my separate studies, I take time to analyze them side-by-side and take notes. I think about differences and similarities I noticed throughout the painting process, as well as how the end products look.  
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​Because I am a visual person, I sometimes like creating Venn Diagrams to organize my thoughts. :)
differences and similarities between Watercolor and Gouache.
Venn Diagram showing differences and similarities between Watercolor and Gouache.

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Final Conclusions About Watercolor and Gouache


Artwork outcomes will greatly vary depending not only on the type of paint used, but on how it is used. Results with either watercolor or gouache can vary greatly even amongst their own kind depending on how ¨loose¨ or ¨tight¨ an artist's personal style is.

The quality of paints, paintbrushes and paper/substrate really can affect a piece as well. 


I would say that gouache has a greater versatility than watercolor in the sense that it can be used within the same painting to create a mix of transparent, blurred effects and thicker, bolder blocks of color.

It's also very useful that one can easily fix mistakes and add lighter values at the end instead of having to worry about protecting the lightest parts of the piece from the beginning.


​This said, I personally find fast drying paint annoying at times and the fact that gouache reactivates so easily when layering kind of irritated me in the beginning. Also, with watercolor, a large variety of values can be created by simply adding more or less water to a color.

​With gouache, if one intends to create a more realistic piece, a good amount of time has to be spent preparing colors and values on the palette before starting to paint. Especially because the paint dries so fast.


It is important to know that realism can be achieved with both types of paint, provided the artist has enough practice and patience. With gouache, I definitely need it! 

To finish up, gouache is an excellent option for those looking to create very stylized, graphic artworks. It can also work great for lettering, visual journaling, and quick sketches. 
​Artists who like bold color, outlines and expressive styles should definitely give this medium a try! ​
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Looking to improve your sketching and watercolor painting skills? Join the fun over on Patreon! 

Best sketching and watercolor tutorials


​Have you given both of these types of paint a try? Which type do you think enhances your artistic taste and style most? 
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How to Experience Creative Flow and Why It's Important
Watercolor Exercises for Beginners
How to Mix Realistic and Lively Greens With Watercolor
4 Comments
Donna link
9/22/2018 04:05:36 pm

I was curious about gouache, as I've never worked with it. After reading your comparison with watercolors I believe I'll give gouache a try. I like the bold colors, and I do a lot of outlining in my work.

Reply
Erika Lancaster
1/26/2019 12:59:19 pm

Hi Donna,

I'm so happy to hear you'll give gouache a try! It seems to me like you'll enjoy it, since you like art with graphic qualities like bold colors and outlines.
I definitely need to play with this medium more myself.
I recently had an illustrator write a post for me explaining how he combines watercolor and gouache that you may enjoy: https://www.erikalancaster.com/art-blog/3-tips-to-combine-watercolor-and-gouache-like-a-pro
I'd love to know how your work progresses! Stay in touch!

Reply
anonymous
5/8/2019 04:43:47 am

Gouache is more like Oil Paint for paper.. (although you can paint Oils on paper by priming it with Gesso)...But between watercolor and gouache, I prefer gouache as you can paint opaque like Oils and you can paint transparent like W/C.. in watercolors, your only option is transparent but you can't paint opaque with it unless you add chinese white paint then thats already a gouache

Reply
Erika Lancaster
5/9/2019 09:42:57 am

Hey there,

Thanks so much for visiting and taking time to comment. :)
Yep, you can totally prepare paper for oils by priming it with gesso. Lots of artists do it!
I personally consider gouache somewhere between watercolor and acrylics. Oils for me, are in a totally different ballpark due to the process and materials they involve (as well as how long they take to dry).
You're right about gouache having that versatility of being used as an opaque medium or as a transparent medium like watercolors. A lot of people consider gouache "opaque watercolors".
Something that makes gouache very different from acrylics (and even oils once they fully dry), is that they can be reactivated! Even after they've fully dried one can go back into them and move the paint around.
They are very fun to use, but I definitely have more experience with all of the other three mediums mentioned, more than with gouache! I hope to practice more with it in the future.

Thanks again and have a great rest-of-the-week!

Erika

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