Gouache Woes: Tips and Tricks for Perfecting Your Art

Hey all! Just like the seven deadly sins, art media have their own tricky behaviors that can be challenging to manage. The secret to mastering them is knowing how to avoid or limit their effects.

As a scribe, I’ve made every mistake possible. Those mishaps were my gouache learning experiences, helping me spot its “sins.” Here’s what I’ve discovered:

Re-moistening Layers
An upper gouache layer can re-moisten my underpainting.

Tip: When you expect an issue let your work dry overnight before adding new strokes.
Tip: Make sure your strokes are final when you make them, and avoid over-working them to prevent unwanted mixing.

Brittle Surfaces
The scroll or picture surface is easily damaged.

Story: My cat once walked across a nearly finished painting, leaving marks everywhere. Now, I protect my work with a plastic cover. Eventually your beautiful scroll will be protected by a glass frame, cloth-covered cardboard scroll cover, or double clear plastic display book. You have your own creative solutions too!

Hidden Underdrawing
The opaque gouache can hide my underdrawing.

Tip: Keep track of key points as you build your layers, especially when you paint fabric drapery. Sometimes, I lightly redraw lines to keep things on track.

Underdrawing Show-Through
Sometimes, the underdrawing shows through the underpainting.

Tip: Opacity varies between gouache colors and brands, especially with student paints that have less pigment. When needed, I cover areas with titanium white or ensure I have plenty of paint in my well to avoid running low on pigment.

Color Choices
The infinite color options can be overwhelming.

Tip: It’s like trying to choose just one Christmas cookie at Grandma’s. You can paint almost anything with six colors, including black and white. I often switch colors based on what’s available or affordable.

Changing Values
Gouache changes value when it dries.

Tip: Dark colors lighten and light values darken. This is more noticeable in large, flat areas. I make sure to have enough paint mixed to cover the area consistently. Practice makes this easier.

Period Authenticity
The “periodness” of gouache is debatable except in late period.

Insight: Modern gouache is somewhat like late-period paint recipes, often used for highlights. Without broad scientific study across different eras and locations, its exact historical accuracy remains uncertain. I use gouache for my SCA scrolls because it’s convenient, not because it’s perfectly period-correct.

Despite its quirks, gouache paint’s benefits far outweigh its drawbacks. As a dedicated scribe, learning to work with its unique characteristics is key.

I hope you found these tips helpful! Do you have any experiences or tips of your own when working with gouache? I’d love to hear about them in the comments below. Let’s learn from each other!