In a single glance, gouache and watercolor look almost identical. Gouache, which is a member of the watercolor family, is a medium that can be used just like watercolor.
Artists can use gouache on watercolor paper or any other surface suitable for watercolor. It is also possible to use your watercolor brushes for gouache, and you will not need any specific chemicals to clean them either.
Just like watercolor, one can rewet gouache with water to make changes and corrections or thin it with water to make it more transparent.
Yet, gouache is different from watercolor. This is because, on a structural level, gouache is made different to watercolor.
Compared to watercolors, gouache has larger particles of pigment. As its particles are tightly packed together, gouache is opaque.
The opaqueness makes gouache great for illustrators who want accurate photographs. The same quality makes it almost useless for achieving glowing effects sought after by watercolorists.
So the next time you’re looking for a new medium to try or are just curious about gouache, grab some colors, and start drawing.
LearnDrawing 