FIVE PROBLEMS WITH GOUACHE (AND HOW TO SOLVE THEM)

James Gurney tackles challenges specific to the medium of gouache

- James Gurney

When I first tried gouache, I had some issues with it. It just didn't do what I wanted it to do. There were things I could do in oil (such as soft gradient blending) or watercolor (variegated washes) that didn't work out for me when I used gouache. I found that dark colors shifted to lighter tonal values when they dried, and the final surface seemed chalky and delicate.

Having now worked with gouache almost exclusively for the last few years, I find it versatile and forgiving, because what I thought were its limitations are really its strengths. I've learned a few ways to work around some of the problems, and have tried to turn other issues to my advantage. In this article I'll share the challenges and the remedies that have worked best for me.

IT FREEZES

Problem: Any water-based paint freezes at 32° Fahrenheit and 0° Celsius. That makes painting snow scenes difficult because the paint ices up on the palette, on the brush, and on the surface of the painting.

Solutions: Painting in gouache in sub-freezing temps (10° F, -12° C):

» Put a chemical hand warmer under the metal palette to keep squeezed paint alive.

» Instead of water, use vodka (40% alcohol) or a mixture of water plus isopropyl alcohol (50/50). Both stay liquid.

» Paint next to a campfire (see International Artist issue #130). There's enough heat around a large open flame to keep the paint (and your hands) from freezing.