What is gouache?
Gouache is a type of paint which is centuries old, and yet relatively few people even know of its existence today. It’s a medium worth discovering, with characteristics of both acrylic and watercolor that can be used to create vibrant, luminous works of art. It is sometimes referred to as opaque watercolour.
The Gouache Stix are our latest addition to our illustration, painter, art journaling and doodling toolbox. You can get the Gouache Stix and A4 pad of paper in a handy bundle to start right away.
How do you say gouache?
This is a word that everybody imagines in their head quite differently, and most likely when you hear how its pronounced, you'll think "oh! how different".
The right pronounciation is "gwahsh", "goo-ahsh" or "gwash"
What is the difference between gouache and watercolour?
A primary difference between the two paints is that gouache is more opaque than watercolour. Both paints consist of pigment and water soluble binder, which allows the paint to be altered even after it dries with the addition of water.
Just like regular gouache, you can add as much water as you want and dilute the paint until it's transparent - like a watercolour.
I have the Silky Paint Stick, are the Gouache Paint Stix any different?
The silkys are made with poster paint and the gouache are made with gouache paint. An easy way to split them is to say, our silkys are perfect for the young kids, and gouache are made for our older kids and adults.
If you loved the Silkys and wanted to have a go at the painting style, the Gouache Stix will be perfect because they are more opaque and intense, a lot creamier, and a more sofisticated type of paint material that will instantly improve your art experience and end result.
It would be like comparing kids-quality crayon and artist studio quality pastels.
How do I use my Gouache Stix?
There are so many ways! You can use them as paint sticks directly onto the surface and keep the colour thick and solid.
You can also use them like watercolours, apply the paint from the stick, and then use your water brush or wet paint brush to blend them, mix colours and give them a softer look.
Mix any colour you like using the paint stick and using your finger or a paintbrush to mix.
Create light colour by using your paint brush or water brush directly onto the paint stick and extracting some colour to add to your art.
Paint on paper, wood and many other surfaces like fabric (not permanently), and once dry, add details using your acrylic paint pens.
