How to Paint with Gouache

1. Prepare Your Workspace:

• Set up a clean, well-lit area with all your materials within easy reach.
• If painting on paper, secure your paper to a flat surface to prevent warping.

2. Sketch Your Design:

• Lightly sketch your design on paper or your chosen painting surface using a pencil. Keep the lines faint so they don’t show through the gouache.

3. Mix Your Colours:

• Squeeze out a small amount of gouache onto your palette. Gouache is highly pigmented, so a little goes a long way.
• Mix your colours with q palette knife or brush. Add water gradually to achieve the desired consistency. For a more opaque look, use less water; for a watercolour-like effect, use more water.

4. Start with a Base Layer:

• Create a base to work from by covering the surface you want to paint with a layer of watered down gouache colour. Use a large, wet brush and even strokes.

5. Layer and Build Depth:

• Once the base layer is dry, start layering additional colours to add depth and detail. Gouache allows for layering without reactivating the paint underneath, unlike watercolours.
• Apply the paint in even strokes, and let each layer dry before adding another to avoid 'muddy' colors.
• Begin by painting the larger areas with colour, then the details and intricate areas.

6. Blend and Soften Edges:

• To blend colours, work while the paint is still wet. Use a clean, damp brush to gently blend the edges where two colours meet.
• For softer edges, dilute the paint with more water and apply gently.

7. Add Highlights and Details:

• Use a fine brush to add highlights and fine details once the main layers are dry.
• White gouache is excellent for adding highlights and brightening areas.
• Pay attention to light sources in your painting to make it look more realistic.

8. Correct Mistakes:

• Gouache can be reactivated with water, allowing for corrections. Use a damp brush or sponge to lift mistakes off gently.
• Apply new layers over dried ones to correct mistakes.

9. Finishing Touches:

• Review your painting and make any final adjustments. Add any final details or touches to complete your artwork.
• Let your painting dry completely. Gouache dries to a matte finish, so be careful not to smudge it while it’s drying.