I’ve not given gouache a real chance to woo me, so I decided to play with some very old gouache before I purchased better quality tubes.  When I moved into watercolors, I enjoyed them for their transparent washes, so gouache, which is thick and heavy (to me) was not interesting.

A gouache is an opaque “watercolor”, meaning it is water soluble, but the difference is that when watercolor is applied, the paper and any sketching underneath will show through, whereas when a layer of gouache is applied, it is likely to cover paper and light sketch lines.

My old pans smelled funny.

Okay, simple test and getting to know you, above… not too happy.

Another test, trying hard to wrap my mind around the opaque nature.
Had a little more success, partially because I let the pans get very wet
before playing in them.  Still not happy though.

Ben Carlin’s Amphibious “Boat” was half land vehicle, half boat, aptly called the “Half Safe”.  I was attracted by the bright yellow color, and the story was thrilling!
This was part of a Virtual Sketchwalk in our FB group around Perth, AU.

I used gouache, for most parts of the boat itself.  I had more success.
I’m not sure yet… but intrigued!
LOOK at that intense yellow!  Wow!  You can’t easily get that from a watercolor.
My plan after these tests is to purchase a couple of quality brand colors.

Recommendations from gouache lovers are welcome!

Process images, above.

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