Why I Love Gouache - Part I

My Ostraka:  History IV:  lii      22 x 30" 

watercolor, gouache, sumi ink and traces of carbon transfer on Arches paper 

For March, I have been focusing a lot on gouache (opaque watercolors) since we had several sessions on gouache in my watercolor class at Illinois State University.  Most students have minimal and unsatisfactory experience with gouache.  Often they use the insufferable pan set of gouache for two-dimensional design.  Anyone would hate gouache after using the stubborn pan colors.  Or, students get a cheap gouache set.  The colors are harsh and coverage and workability insufficient.

For professionals, gouache is as much a ‘magic elixir’ as it is for students.  For me, transparent and opaque watercolors knit together beautifully.  Fortunately, we are past the rigid days when a true watercolor had to be exclusively transparent watercolors.  I admire and myself make many transparent watercolors.  I also find that most often, my visually richest work is layered with both transparent and opaque watercolors.  Long live gouache.