| Gouache (say g'wash)
is opaque watercolor. Gouache has been around for a very long time.
It may have originated in China, spread across Europe, and found it's way
to the Flemish in the fifteenth century. A reference was made by
a sixteenth century Italian writer to the use of Gouache by the "Flemings".
Gouache is basically dry pigment held together with the same kind
of gum solution used in transparent watercolors but in a greater amount;
plus the addition of various amounts of chalk to improve color and allow
greater textural effects*. A good white 'inert' pigment adds bulk,
brilliance, and smoothness without any loss of intensity and vividness.
"When used in "alla-prima"
direct painting, you have the effect of a spontaneous flow of thick, dashing,
robust brush strokes"
Gouache has been used in the United States
in recent history as a smooth easily blended medium for advertising because
it lends itself to flawless fields of color and precise lines.
When used in "alla-prima" direct painting, you have the effect of
a spontaneous flow of thick, dashing, robust brush strokes.
There is an appreciable thick film of layered paint.
* RALPH MAYER "The Artists' Handbook of Materials and Techniques",
3rd edition, pp.305-308
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So much for the technical
aspects of Gouache. Let me tell you why I love this medium.
It glows. It dries fast. It can be re-worked if there are areas
to be done over, enhanced, or 'punched up'. The brushes I use are
well worn bristle oil painting brushes. Because of the chalk in the
paint and the fact that quick, stabbing, grinding strokes are used, as
well as the thickness of the paint that causes a "drag" on the brush, gouache
is very hard on expensive sable watercolor brushes. The brush is
first loaded with white and then dipped in pure or mixed color. Painting
directly on a blank sheet of 140# hot-pressed watercolor paper, gives me
the luminosity I desire in skies, clouds, trees and water, etc.
"The colors are vibrant! Versatile,
luminous, easy and quick! What a fun way to paint!"
Gouache is not as crisp and hard-edged as acrylic.
It dries lighter and to a matte finish. It paints like oil with juicy,
heavy, impasto strokes, and, like oil, can be blended and reworked.
Gouache satisfies my longing to paint impressionism. It dries quickly,
but if re-wetted, can still be washed off and manipulated. In a lot
of cases, colors can be layered to create an appearance of great depth.
I can finish a painting in the morning, scan it, check color, print it,
and have an image on the internet by dinner time.
The colors are vibrant! Versatile, luminous,
easy and quick! What a fun way to paint using a very old medium in
today's new way!
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