Gouache

The Italian word “guazzo” means water paint or splash . Gouache originates from that very word and is a type of paint consisting of pigment suspended in water. Gouache is quite different from watercolour. In watercolors particles are larger, the ratio of pigment to water is much higher. 

In gouache the presence of an inert white material makes it heavier and more opaque, with greater reflective qualities

History of Gouache

In 16 th century Italy there was a practice of applying oil paint over a tempera base. This particular practice was named Gouache.This particular style travelled to France where it was applied to watermedia.

Gouache-the technique

Gouache is a very deceptive medium. It is drier than it appears when wet, which can make it difficult to achieve the same shading in multiple painting sessions. For this very reason Gouache is seen as a more immediate medium of painting than watercolors. "En plein air” paintings take advantage of this, as do works by J.M.W. Turner. Most painters choose gouache as a medium to dabble with and not m of expression for this very reason there are limited number of works in gouache. It is used more frequently for graphic works such as posters, and for other design work.