Sometimes you, as an artist, need to get an opaque colored layer in your project that can cover all the outlines beneath. However, not every type of media can deal with such a difficult task since it has to produce a very thick layer or have a saturated pigment. Luckily, there exists gouache that does have all the necessary features to cover the surface with a heavy body of color in one step. Thus, if you are still reading, you must be interested in the best gouache paint ever that is described in this review. Besides, you won’t find a more complete overview than this one since there were more than 56 hours spent creating it. So, come on and check it out!
Top Gouache Paints for Beginners and Pro Artists
| Rank | Review | Name | Amount of Colors | Type of Container | Volume of Paint | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | | ARTEZA View Details | 60 | Tube | 0.4 oz. | 10.0 |
| 2 | | ShinHan View Details | 48 | Tube | 0.68 oz. | 9.9 |
| 3 | | OOKU View Details | 36 | Palette | N/A | 9.7 |
| 4 | | MIYA View Details | 18 | Jelly cup | 1 oz. | 9.6 |
| 5 | | Winsor & Newton View Details | 10 | Tube | 0.47 oz. | 9.4 |
| 6 | | Liquitex View Details | 6 | Bottle (Barrel) | 2 oz. | 9.3 |
| 7 | | Caran d'Ache View Details | 15 | Palette | N/A | 9.1 |
The first obvious advantage of this set is the number of colors where each of them comes in an individual tube. Besides, all 60 containers are nicely arranged in the plastic holders with separate slots as well. Thanks to this construction, tubes won’t slide over the package, and there is less possibility of their damage.
As for the quality of paint, it’s of an exceptional level. The pigment is rich and the texture is viscous. Altogether it makes this paint suitable for various types of art including those that require precise and thin lines with a rich color. So, it’s safe to say that gouache is good for calligraphy. Besides, a color selection is one of the widest among competitors, so even metallic shades, such as gold, are present here.
The safety of this product is approved and certified. So you can be sure that the ARTEZA gouache is non-toxic, and even children can use it.
- The set has metallic colors
- The number of colors is surprisingly large
- The application is smooth
- The colors are rich and vibrant
- The individual tubes are not available in case you run out of one color
ShinHan PASS High Quality Hybrid Colors
Despite the fact that the ShinHan brand might be not well known among artists, the quality and performance of its products are admitted by lots of professionals. But it doesn’t mean that the beginner can’t use them at all; on the contrary, it must be the perfect set of paints for a student who experiments a lot.
The texture of this pigmented liquid doesn’t really resemble the traditional gouache. It is rather a hybrid of watercolor and gouache that is stated on the pack. Still, each color has its own tube; it means that the texture is liquid, so it can pass through the hole, and the consistency is ropy, which allows users to manipulate its state in order to achieve a particular effect on paper.
The ingredients used for producing this paint is safe for anyone. However, if you are allergic, or just in case, check them listed on the pack.
- The pigments are saturated enough, so they can be diluted with water in order to get other tones
- They dry out quite fast on the surface
- The names of each color are confusing
OOKU Professional Gouache Watercolor Kit
The next set is different from the previous competitors. It comes in a flat black metal case that consists not only of the paints but also of the tools. In particular, there is a sponge, a sharpener, an eraser, a regular brush, and a water brush. Once you open the case, you will see that the right side is full of the paints and tools, and the other is empty but has a white insertion that can be used as a palette.
Besides, the OOKU collection comes with a bag and a pile of paper sheets. It’s a perfect starter kit of the intermediate level that can be used even if you are outside.
The quality of materials is wonderful. The set can be used not only by children but also by everyone who is keen on art. Besides, the paints are non-toxic and absolutely safe for use.
- It comes with additional tools and paper sheets
- It’s portable and comfortable to use on the go
- The amount of paint in one cake is very small
MIYA Gouache Paint Set with Portable Case
Another portable set of gouache paints is from MIYA that comes in a pink box with the lid. The thing is that each color is in the individual jelly cup that can be easily removed from the case. And this detail is quite important in terms of usability since once the user runs out of a color, they can purchase the necessary one separately.
The texture of pigmented liquid is smooth and creamy, and when it’s in a cup – it has a glossy surface. When the paint is spread on the surface, it turns into matte and remains the same until a particular patch is diluted with some amount of water. Moreover, the applied paint will never crack or peel off.
Thanks to the heavyweight texture and coverage, gouache is perfect for any type of art. In addition, the color selection is a wonderful option for illustrators.
As always, this product has all the necessary certificates and proofs of safety, so it can be used by kids as well as fans of art.
- The texture is heavyweight, and it’s easy to work with
- The case is durable and fine for transportation
- This set is an affordable option
- There is a palette embedded in the lid, so when it’s closed, the wet pigment smears over the content
Winsor & Newton Designers Gouache Introductory Set
The next professional grade gouache is from Winsor & Newton. Despite the fact that this set contains only 10 tubes of paint, the texture and the quality allow them to be applicable to any kind of illustration or design where the rich and vibrant colors are required.
Indeed, each given tube has its own color that is opaque, bright, and viscous. These parameters make the set favorite among lots of users. So whether you are a designer or parent who wants to find something high-quality for your kid – this must be the most beloved option.
- The colors are vibrant, bright, and opaque
- They dry out really fast on the surface
- The color selection is quite limited
- They have a strange odor
Liquitex Professional Acrylic Gouache Paint (Fluorescents)
The next product is a distinguishing set since it consists of acrylic fluorescent gouache. Besides, there is a large amount of paint of each color since it comes in individual bottles that can accommodate up to 2 fl. oz.
Despite the amount of liquid, the color selection is limited since it’s carefully picked by the ability to glow in the dark. Unfortunately, not all shades have such an ability. However, it should be mentioned that paint is acrylic, which means that once it dries off on the surface, it won’t come off or dilute under some amount of water. Instead, it will remain absolutely untouched.
Drawing fantasy creatures and enchanted runes requires unusual shades and paints that can express their magic. That’s where fluorescent paint with thick color may come in handy and even make this piece of art more attractive. That is why the Liquitex Professional is perfect for scrolls and everything related to fantasy.
- There is a large amount of paint of each color
- The colors are opaque and rich
- They don’t require water
- The price is slightly high
Caran d’Ache Gouache Studio Colors Set in Metal Box
The paint from Caran d’Ache is actually a palette with the 15 cakes of paint that is wrapped in a tin box. It’s a nice protection from accidental dropping and as a result from damages. Thus, it’s a wonderful kit for traveling and taking it with you when you practice landscape painting.
As it was already mentioned, the paint is arranged in flat cakes. And there is one tube of white color. However, using them without any tools is impossible, and here’s where the manufacturer thought about the customer. The set already comes with a paintbrush. Moreover, the inner part of the case lid works as a palette where the colors can be mixed.
This medium quality set is also approved by necessary certificates, so you can be sure that it’s non-toxic and safe for usage.
- It’s portable
- There is a brush and a palette
- The colors are rich and remain saturated when they dry off on the surface
- The tin is quite big and thick, so it’s quite difficult to find where to put it in
FAQs
Usually, learning new information may cause the necessity to find out something additionally. It concerns the things that you have known about, but you have never mused about what they really are. So if you have the questions related to today’s topic, gouache, it’s highly likely that you will find the answers to them in this section.
What Is Gouache?
Gouache is a kind of paint that is usually used in combination with water 💧. The main difference from watercolors is its opacity and richness of pigment. By the way, the pigments are usually natural, and their amount is quite large in order to get a thick and dense layer in one step.
Thanks to its parameters, it’s usually used in design, illustrations, or calligraphy. However, children can use it, too. Thus, there may appear another question: what it is made of. As it was mentioned, the ingredients are a natural pigment, water, and, the most necessary thing, the bond that makes this paint saturated.
Despite great characteristics, gouache has quite a huge downside – it’s durability. Of course, the layer with this type of paint will remain without any changes, but everything screws up when the slightest amount of water is caught. Thus, there is acrylic gouache that does have all the great parameters of the regular gouache, but it also has the ability to withstand water.
How to Use Gouache Paint 🎨?
In fact, there are no certain recommendations on how to deal with gouache. Since, obtaining more experience, an artist-to-be usually tries the techniques as much as possible mixing the familiar colors with the new ones. However, there is one simple way to work with them: adding some water and then spread the paint over the surface.
Besides, since each color usually comes in the individual container, mixing them might be not quite comfortable. Thus, you may require a palette where adding a small number of tones, you can blend them with the other ones.
You can choose a paintbrush 🖌 according to your preferences or purpose. Besides, gouache can also be used along with the special water brush.
It’s better to start with a thin layer. The next one will be thicker, and it’s a purpose to add precise details to your drawing. By the way, always wait for some time between the layers.
What Is the Difference Between Watercolor and Gouache?
Those using gouache for the first time may have quite often asked a question about the difference between it and watercolor. Actually, it’s grounded on the fact both of them are used in combination with water 💦. However, while watercolors provide a quite delicate and inimitable effect of transparency, gouache is a heavyweight paint that covers everything underneath in one step. As a result, the answer is that gouache has a saturated pigment and doesn’t significantly change its thickness when diluting it with some water.
Where to Buy 🛒 Good Gouache Paint?
The most obvious answer is art and stationery supplies stores. However, they may not have a particular item that you are looking for. In addition, it’s difficult to compare the prices that are in other competitors’ stores. Thus, if you still prefer offline shops, then at least check the prices at online market places first. For example, there is a great possibility that you will find nice offers on Amazon or eBay.
Few Last Words
Each type of media is used for a certain purpose. Thus, speaking about gouache, of course, it has its own purpose where all its features are well seen. The obvious reason why this kind of paint should be in your art arsenal is that it provides a thick layer of rich color. Moreover, once it dries off, it becomes matte and will remain the same until you wish to change it. Does it sound fictional?
Believe it or not, gouache does work, and if you are looking for such parameters, so you’ve found a great option. The only thing left to do is choose the paint brand among the best ones.
References
- Gouache – https://en.wikipedia.org/
- Need Some Guidance with Traditional Painting [Gouache] – https://www.reddit.com/
- What is gouache paint used for? – https://www.quora.com/
- What Is Acrylic Gouache? – https://www.jacksonsart.com/
- How to Paint with Gouache – https://www.wikihow.com/
- Watercolor and Gouache: What’s the Difference? – https://blogs.chapman.edu/