Difference between gouache and watercolor

There is a big difference between gouache and watercolor, which is the most commonly used painting tool for gouache and watercolor. First of all, there are differences in their pigments, and also in their brushes. There are also differences in the paper used and the painting procedures. Of course, the final painting effects are also different. Generally, watercolors require watercolor paper, which is relatively thick and has good water absorption. Let us understand the difference between gouache and watercolor.

Difference between gouache and watercolor

1. The difference in pigments: the types and names of gouache and watercolor pigments are similar, and both are mixed with water. However, a large amount of white powder is added during the production of gouache paint, which has a strong covering effect and is very suitable for covering with thick layers of paint. This is usually called thick painting.

2. The brushes are different. Gouache is painted with gouache pens. Since it needs to be covered with thick pigment, the gouache pens must have strong elasticity and toughness, and must also absorb water. Watercolors are painted with watercolor pens, which need to have strong water absorption. Regular watercolor pens are a bit like Chinese brushes, but the brushes are harder. You can also use the Dabaiyun brush among the brushes to paint watercolors.

3. The paper used is different. Gouache paper is too absorbent and generally not too thick. Watercolor paper is used, which is very thick and has strong water absorption. The quality of gouache paper is obviously better.

4. The painting procedures are different. The procedure for gouache painting is basically to paint dark colors first and then light colors. The brighter and whiter the color, the sooner it should be painted. Watercolor is the opposite. Paint the light color first and then the dark color. The brighter the color, the sooner it should be painted first.

5. The painting effects are different. Gouache has a "powdery taste" and watercolor has a "water taste". You can search for relevant pictures on the Internet to compare them.

1. Gouache painting

2. Watercolor

Additional information

1. The watercolor painting technique of diluting pigments with gum arabic. It can also refer to the works and the pigments used in this method. In addition to gum as a binder (BINDER), watercolor paint also includes plasticizers (PLASTICIZER) such as honey water (HYDROMEL), sugar water, glycerin (GLYCERIN), etc. to maintain humidity.

2. Gouache is the abbreviation of gouache painting. It has many names in my country such as "propaganda color", etc. Compared with acrylic paint (or "concentrated advertising paint"), its covering power is weaker. [1] A special type of watercolor, namely opaque watercolor paint. Because it is cheap, easy to learn and use, it is often used as an introductory painting material for beginners to learn color painting. Its usage simulates oil painting techniques or watercolor techniques.