Classroom Buzz: Lyla Browning Shows How to Make Gouache

The video shows my undergraduate teaching assistant, Lyla Browning, who led in the actual making of gouache. She researched gouache last year in my watercolor class and we made some then, a “first” for my watercolor class. With some experience under our belts, we made it again for this class. We made nine different colors in less than three hours! I have stockpiled dry pigment for this class; we use it to make true egg tempera. Now we have added another kind of paint to our repertoire, thanks to Lyla’s research.

Students used our custom-made gouache and found it stronger than the store brands I have on hand for students to use. What is significant is seeing the process and making your own art material, something that was once commonplace for all artists. I believe it adds sensitivity to the handling of materials. At some point, these young artists can investigate other art materials that may be costly, as designer gouache is, and they will feel more confident to make their own paints. They had a unique experience in watercolors and can explore more on their own.