The Shelf Life of Gouache
Gouache is best purchased in tubes. But unlike acrylics that sometimes come in jars, gouache does not fare well because of evaporation and separation. In tubes, they have a good, long shelf life of 3-5 years. Some European manufacturers do produce small jars and refrigeration is recommended for these as it slows down both the evaporation and separation issues.
Gouache Additives
There are additives that some artist use in conjunction to their gouache paints for effect. Ox Gall is a wetting. When dropped in water and applied to your paper with a wash brush will improve the paintĄ¯s flow. Medium added to your gouache art supplies will improve paint adhesion and dries with a glossy finish. Masking fluid can be painted over an area that you want to keep free for color. Once dried, it peels right off, leaving the surface beneath it untouched.
Gouache Papers
Most artists paint with gouache on paper. But the paper has to be heavier than ordinary sketch paper because it will absorb too much of the paint. Watercolor paper is recommended ¨C either hot or cold press, which refers to the paperĄ¯s finish. Cold press papers were pressed under cold rollers and have a grained texture. Hot press papers are made very smooth by their passing through hot rollers or very polished rollers. The very rough irregular, bumpy papers you sometimes see are not pressed at all.
The Pros and cons of Gouache
There are additives that some artist use in conjunction to their gouache paints for effect. Ox Gall is a wetting. When dropped in water and applied to your paper with a wash brush will improve the paintĄ¯s flow. Medium added to your gouache art supplies will improve paint adhesion and dries with a glossy finish. Masking fluid can be painted over an area that you want to keep free for color. Once dried, it peels right off, leaving the surface beneath it untouched.
Gouache
Gouache is a heavy, opaque watercolor paint that produces a less wet-appearing and more strongly colored picture. Sometimes called body color, gouache is made like watercolor but has a gum Arabic added to it that makes the color go down in a more even, smooth layer with more saturated color.
Mixed Media Gouache
Gouache, by itself, is a perfectly wonderful medium, but many artists use it in tandem with watercolors to add punch and drama to their work, or with pen and ink, as the color component. However you like to use it, itĄ¯s dense, rich color, and versatility, make it a wonderful medium to experiment with.