Although gouache and watercolor paintings differ by only one character in their names, their essence is quite different. So, what is the difference between watercolor and gouache?
Broadly speaking, gouache is a form of painting using water as a medium to blend opaque gouache paint, propaganda poster paint, and advertising paint. On the other hand, watercolor painting is a form of painting using water as a medium to blend paint. Understanding the differences can help you choose the right water paint for your creative projects.
Different Paints Used
Generally speaking, the biggest difference between the two is the type of paint used. Gouache paint is made from mineral materials and diluted with water during painting. White powder is used to adjust the depth and intensity of the colors, which allows for strong coverage and easy modification. It can be diluted with water to produce a bright and vibrant effect similar to watercolor or can be layered and covered to achieve a dense and heavy effect similar to oil painting.
Watercolor is made from plant-based materials. It also uses water to blend colors and to adjust the depth and intensity of the colors, creating effects on the canvas primarily through water. Generally, white is either not used or is used sparingly. The colors appear transparent on paper because the thin layer of color reflects through the white paper, resulting in a bright, lively, and vivid effect, which is commonly referred to as transparent watercolor. It is not as easy to modify as gouache, and painting with watercolor can be more challenging than with gouache.
Different Brushes and Papers Used
Gouache brushes are specialized; the bristle shapes are flat and have good water absorption. Watercolor brushes are also frequently used for gouache painting. The paper used for gouache can be quite casual, as long as it is not extremely absorbent like raw Xuan paper or very hard and non-absorbent like oil painting paper.
Watercolor brushes are relatively soft and absorbent, often with conical bristles. The best watercolor paper is special paper with slight absorbency, a fine, uneven surface, and some may even have color.
Different Painting Techniques
Gouache painting techniques can be divided into dry and wet methods depending on the amount of water used. Regardless of whether using dry or wet techniques, gouache emphasizes using more color. Since gouache paint has coarse particles and strong coverage, the requirements for layering, order, primary and secondary elements, thickness, and other processes are not as strict as they are for watercolor.
For watercolor painting, generally, light colors are painted first, followed by dark colors. White and light areas need to be reserved, and colors should not be repeatedly applied to avoid losing the transparency. When coloring, start with light colors and move to darker ones, avoiding overlap as much as possible, and work swiftly and continuously.
In conclusion, understanding what is the difference between watercolor and gouache is very important for beginners who are just starting to learn painting. While watercolor and gouache have similarities in their painting mediums, their techniques, paint characteristics, and creation processes are quite different.
For beginners, understanding what is the difference between watercolor and gouache not only helps them choose the appropriate materials and techniques but also enables them to better grasp the unique charm of each painting method, thereby improving their painting skills and artistic expression. Investing in quality artist paint supplies can make a significant difference. Therefore, for beginners starting their painting journey, understanding what is the difference between watercolor and gouache is the first step in building a solid foundation.
