Gouache and Water colours

Both gouache and watercolour are water-based paints and as such give birth to paintings. Gouache paintings are opaque and watercolours are transparent. On the Internet, there are many gouache and watercolour paintings in various styles, themes and designs. Thanks to ecommerce websites like eBay there is an extensive range of modern (1900-79) and antique (pre 1900) gouache and watercolour paintings.

Watercolour Paintings

A watercolour painting is produced by paints made of pigments being suspended in a water-soluble vehicle. Watercolours are made from a series of transparent layers to create depth and perspective. In watercolour paintings, the white of the paper is meant to shine through as it gives it a unique quality that isn’t found in other forms of painting.

Whilst paper is the most popular medium for watercolours, some painters also offer a variety of materials including: papyrus, plastics, leather, fabric, wood, canvas and bark papers.

Some watercolour fanatics will not use white watercolour paint as they do not feel it is authentic. Instead they work from light to dark, leaving the lighter areas free from paint whilst building up the dark areas.

In watercolour paintings, the term ‘water media’ refers to any painting medium that utilises water as a solvent and that can be applied with a brush, pen or sprayer. Besides watercolours this includes most inks, temperas, acrylic paints and gouaches.

Gouache Paintings

Gouache (pronounced “gwash” and also spelt ‘guache’) is a type of opaque painting that consists of pigment and a binding agent. These paintings are also often referred to as opaque watercolour or body colour.

Similar to watercolours, gouache can be diluted with water and applied in semi-transparent layers. However, unlike with watercolour paintings, gouache painters can work from dark to light adding the lighter areas at the end.

In contrast to watercolours, gouache particles are also larger, the ratio of pigment to water is much higher and an additional white pigment (usually chalk) is also present in gouache paintings. These qualities make gouache paintings heavier, more reflective and more opaque than watercolours.

Gouache paintings have a quick coverage period and other qualities which is why the style lends itself to more direct painting methods and techniques than its watercolour counterpart.

Gouache is a popular painting style in commercial fields. It is used constantly by artists creating posters, comics, illustrations and other design works.


Health and saftey wise there isnt much danger with using these. The only risk being to use cold water instead of hot, and to not consume and of the paints.