Who uses Gouache and why?
• Designers – its ease of use and brilliance make it the most popular designers colour, hence the name, Designers’ Gouache. The matt finish makes for more accurate reproduction at artwork stage. • Fine artists – use it in conjunction with water colour or on its own. Its brilliance and opacity give it solidity, excellent for abstract work. Strong effects also result from the contrast of working on coloured backgrounds which are left partly exposed. • Airbrushing – water based and great covering power make gouache popular with airbrush artists. It’s the high pigmentation which makes the gouache opaque and matt. • Calligraphy – gouache is used by calligraphers because of its excellent flow, opacity and permanence. • Marbling – the high pigmentation and gum arabic base make it a common choice with professional marblers. What to use it on Best results are achieved on paper. For flat artwork, use HP water colour paper or smooth cartridge paper. Use 140lb or 220g to reduce cockling, or better
