Gouache vs. Watercolor: Understanding the Differences
Have you ever gotten confused about choosing the best water-based medium for you? You're not alone! Between gouache and watercolors, it can be difficult to know the differences between the two, especially when their formulas are alike.
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While both are celebrated for their unique qualities and breathtaking results, they possess distinctive characteristics that set them apart. Today, we'll gloss over and compare gouache vs. watercolors in terms of their application, techniques, color vibrancy, and many more. So if you're a beginner trying to figure out which paint you should start with or a seasoned artist trying to lean toward a certain medium, then this guide is for you!
What Is Gouache?
Gouache is a medium that combines the properties of two paints: the opacity of acrylics and the delicate translucency of watercolors. It's made from a mixture of pigment, water, and a binding agent like gum Arabic or dextrin. What sets gouache apart is its high pigment concentration, giving it a rich, vibrant color quality.
Besides watercolors, gouache is also often compared to acrylics. When it comes to gouache vs. acrylics, the former stands as a champion of opacity. Gouache pigments, finely ground and often with a chalky texture, grant it the ability to cover surfaces with a solid, matte finish. Acrylics, in contrast, offer a wide spectrum of opacity. Acrylic paints can be transparent, semi-transparent, or opaque, depending on the formulation and application.
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What Is Watercolor?
Watercolor is a captivating and versatile painting medium renowned for its delicate transparency and fluidity. Unlike traditional opaque paints, watercolors utilize pigments suspended in a water-based solution, allowing artists to create luminous, ethereal, and often unpredictable effects on paper. This unique quality makes watercolor a favorite among artists seeking to capture the interplay of light and color in their creations.
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Gouache vs. Watercolor: A Side-By-Side Comparison
If you are an artist wondering about the differences between the two mediums, refer to this gouache vs. watercolor table to truly understand their similarities and differences and help you make informed decisions for your creative endeavors.
Application Techniques
| Gouache | Watercolor |
| Comes in tubes - applied to a palette for color mixing |
Soft and transparent blends and washes |
| Uses water as a thinner; watercolor brushes for application | Uses water as a thinner; watercolor brushes for application |
| Applied in small amounts, a little goes a long way | Depending on the type of watercolor, it may require layering for more pigmented hues |
| Can be applied on a variety of surfaces, including paper, illustration boards, canvas, bristol boards, dark-colored paper, and more | Can be applied on hot-pressed and cold-pressed watercolor paper, and a special watercolor canvas |
Color Vibrancy, Mixing, and Lightfastness
| Gouache | Watercolor |
| Has a velvety, matte, and vibrant finish |
Soft and transparent blends and washes |
| Darker colors turn lighter, and lighter colors turn dark when dry | Depending on the lightfastness, some watercolor paints undergo a subtle color shift when dry |
| Use white gouache to blend and mix colors together | Use water to produce lighter blends and less water for darker shades |
Artists' Gouache Set - Strolling Through New York
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Drying Time and Layering
| Gouache | Watercolor |
| Relatively quick drying time compared to mediums like oils, but gouache dries slower than acrylic |
Slow-drying paint, depending on the amount of water used |
| You can layer colors and build intricate details without long waiting periods | Drying process is often accompanied by subtle shifts in color and texture |
| Build up colors upon dry layers without fear of muddiness | Needs more patience and delicacy since underlying layers can show through |
| You can layer light colors over dark colors | You must paint from light to dark colors |
Artwork Preservation and Storage
| Gouache | Watercolor |
| Keep away from direct sunlight to avoid fading |
High-quality watercolors have excellent lightfastness, meaning their colors will stay the same for a long time |
| Does not need any heavy glaze or special finishes, more durable than watercolor artwork | Susceptible to moisture; this is optional, but you can use a varnish or fixative to make it waterproof |
| Proper framing is a must to preserve a gouache painting and prevent discoloration | Watercolor artworks are more delicate, so use proper matting and framing techniques |
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Cost and Accessibility
| Gouache | Watercolor |
| For some brands, gouache is more expensive than watercolors since they require more pigments to create an opaque effect |
Depending on the watercolor type, pans are generally more affordable, making them perfect for beginners, while tubes are more on the costly side due to their vibrant pigments |
| Suitable for both beginners and experienced artists | Suitable for both beginners and experienced artists |
| Easy to clean after painting and easy to set-up | Easy to clean after painting and easy to set-up |
Both gouache and watercolor are popular paint mediums, with each offering its own set of advantages. With its vibrant opacity, gouache paint is more beginner-friendly, offering immediate coverage and easy correction of mistakes. Its forgiving nature encourages experimentation, making it an excellent medium for those new to painting.
On the other hand, learning how to use watercolors requires a delicate dance with transparency. It's about harnessing the luminous effects of layering and understanding the nuanced interaction between pigments and water. While watercolors demand a bit more finesse, their unique flowing textures and surprising results can help you create one-of-a-kind masterpieces.
Pros and Cons of Gouache
Gouache paint shines for its vibrancy and versatility. Its opaque nature simplifies color mixing, allowing you to layer and correct mistakes as you go. This feature is a plus for beginners, as mistakes can be easily covered without compromising your artwork's integrity. If you want bold colors and want to work with a larger variety of surfaces, then
On the other hand, the opacity that makes gouache beginner-friendly can also limit its capacity for creating the more luminous effects found in transparent watercolors. Plus, unlike watercolors which easily blend, gouache needs more mixing and blending techniques to create smooth color transitions.
Pros and Cons of Watercolors
Watercolors, often seen as more challenging due to their unpredictable nature, beckon artists with their captivating transparency. While mastering the techniques may require a learning curve, the rewards are well worth the effort. Watercolors result in rich, enchanting artworks that you just cannot simply replicate with other mediums. Plus, unlike gouache, you can get away with not using white paint in watercoloring!
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Watercolors have a magical way of capturing light and atmosphere, enabling you to create delicate washes and subtle gradations that evoke emotions and moods. However, achieving seamless blends and gradients with watercolors demands more practice and patience. There is also a slower drying time since colors can get unwanted, muddy colors if you layer too early.
Choose the Best Paint Medium That Works for You!
Overall, watercolor and gouache have much to offer you regarding colors, transparency, artwork results, and application techniques. While both are water-based, each medium has its own distinct advantages and disadvantages. However, if you still find it hard to choose just one - why not try both?
We hope this guide has given you the confidence and knowledge that you need to decide on using gouache vs. watercolors. Whatever medium you choose, we are sure that you will come up with impressive artwork! If you'd like to learn more about watercoloring techniques and gouache painting techniques, you can browse our other articles on the subject. Happy painting!
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