🎨 Getting Started with Gouache Painting: A Beginner’s Guide

If you’ve ever wanted to try a paint that combines the opacity of acrylics with the bendability of watercolors, gouache might become your new favorite medium.

Gouache (it's actually pronounced gwash) has been used by illustrators, fine artists, and designers for centuries. It dries to a beautiful matte finish, is easy to reactivate with water, and can be layered to create stunning effects. You can even find glow in the dark gouache, too. 

In this post, I’ll walk you through what gouache is, how to start painting with it, and the essential supplies you’ll need.

🌟 What is Gouache?

Gouache is a water-based paint made of pigment, water, and a binder (usually gum arabic, like watercolor). The main difference between gouache and watercolor is that gouache contains chalk or white pigment, which makes it more opaque.

This means:

• You can paint light colors on top of dark colors.

• Mistakes are easier to fix, and any pencil marks from sketching will disappear. 

• Finished work photographs beautifully without glare.

🖌 Supplies You’ll Need to Start

Here are the basics to get you going:

• Gouache Paint Set – Look for a starter set with primary colors, black, and white. You can mix nearly anything from there.

• Brushes – Round and flat brushes in small to medium sizes are perfect.

• Paper – Heavy watercolor paper (140lb/300gsm or higher) prevents buckling.

• Palette & Cup of Water – Gouache reactivates easily, so you don’t need a huge palette.

• Optional – White gel pen for highlights, masking tape for crisp edges.

👉 Some of the links below are affiliate links. That means if you make a purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support my blog and allows me to keep creating free content for you.

My fav Gouache set on Amazon: https://amzn.to/46yIcom

🎨 Tips for Painting with Gouache

1. Start with light washes – Gouache can be used like watercolor if you add more water.

2. Layer carefully – Once dry, it’s easy to layer, but too much scrubbing may reactivate the paint underneath.

3. Experiment with opacity – Add water for transparency, or use it straight from the tube for bold, solid coverage.

4. Don’t overthink perfection – Gouache is forgiving. If you don’t like an area, let it dry and paint over it. It also reacts to water, so you can keep the paint moving if needed. 

🌈 Why Artists Love Gouache

• It dries matte (great for scanning & digital art) and looks totally magical!

• Colors stay vibrant even when layered.

• Works well for both sketchbook practice and finished paintings.

• Compact and travel-friendly. I love taking this when out and about around Door County. There's always something wonderful to paint when out exploring!
  

✨ Final Thoughts

Whether you’re a watercolor artist wanting more opacity, or an acrylic painter looking for a softer touch, gouache is a fun and versatile medium to add to your toolbox.

If you’d like to give it a try, here is a great beginner-friendly option. I personally like this set because it has 48 colors, including pinks and purples. This is a huge plus for me, because I love using all the bright, vibrant colors and mixing pinks and purples can be tricky! It's wonderful that these colors are already included. 

Beginner Gouache Set on Amazon:  https://amzn.to/46yIcom

Remember, by shopping through these affiliate links, you’re supporting my work at no extra cost to you — and I truly appreciate it.

What will you paint first? Let me know!