Tillie Doyle
Gouache is a water-based paint that is similar to watercolour and has been used by artists for centuries. Gouache is available in tubes, cups, cakes, and pans. While tubes are the most popular, pans are more portable and convenient for travel. However, using pans may result in a loss of the creamy consistency of gouache. Artists can create their own pans by squeezing paint from tubes into empty pan sets, which is more cost-effective and allows for easy refills. When using gouache in pans, it is important to consider the quality of the paint as cheaper brands may have more fillers that degrade when mixed with water, resulting in reduced opacity and transparency issues. To maintain opacity, artists can add a small amount of gum Arabic to the paint.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Portability | Gouache pans are more portable than tubes or cups |
| Consistency | Gouache pans do not have the same creamy consistency as fresh gouache |
| Opacity | Gouache pans are less opaque than fresh gouache |
| Quality | The quality of gouache in pans may vary, and it is possible to make your own pans |
| Reactivity | Gouache is water-soluble and can be reactivated with water, but too much water will reduce opacity |
| Brands | M. Graham, Holbein, and Winsor and Newton are recommended brands for gouache pans |
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What You'll Learn
Gouache is available in pan form
Pan gouache is available from several brands, including Caran d'Ache, which offers a 15-pan set. Artists can also create their own pan gouache by using an empty watercolour palette and empty pans made for filling watercolour. Artists can fill the pans with gouache from tubes and let them air dry. However, some colours may be prone to cracking and crumbling, and the creamy consistency of the paint may be lost.
To prevent cracking and crumbling, artists can add a few drops of honey, water, glycerine, and ox gall to the pans before adding the gouache. This mixture can be heated in a microwave for a few seconds and then stirred before being added to the pans.
Using pan gouache offers some advantages, such as the ability to control the amount of liquid mixed into the paint, which can result in more opaque colours. Additionally, pan gouache is easier to transport and creates less mess than tubes. However, it is important to note that pan gouache may not be suitable for those seeking a super opaque finish, as the opacity of the paint can be reduced when it is rewetted.
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Gouache pans are more portable than tubes
Gouache is a water-based paint that has been used by artists for centuries. It is known for its vibrant colours and opacity. Gouache is available in tubes, cups, and pans. While some artists prefer using gouache straight out of the tubes, pans offer a more portable option.
Secondly, gouache pans reduce the mess associated with tubes. Tubes of paint can be crushed or broken, leading to accidental spills and leaks in your art kit. Pans, on the other hand, keep the paint contained and reduce the risk of accidental messes. This mess-free aspect of pans is particularly advantageous when travelling, as it eliminates the worry of paint spilling onto other items in your luggage.
Another advantage of gouache pans is their ability to dry and rewet. Artists can let the paint dry in the pans and then reactivate it with water when needed. This feature not only extends the life of the paint but also makes it convenient for travel, as dried paint is allowed on airplanes without the restrictions imposed on liquids. However, it is important to note that rewetting dried gouache may affect its opacity and consistency.
While gouache pans offer portability and convenience, it is worth mentioning that the paint's creamy consistency is best retained when using it fresh from the tube. Artists who prioritise consistency and the ability to mix colours extensively might prefer tubes over pans. Additionally, the process of creating and refilling pans can be time-consuming and may not suit every artist's workflow.
In conclusion, gouache pans are more portable than tubes due to their compactness, mess-free nature, and ability to be dried and rewetted. However, the preference between pans and tubes ultimately depends on an artist's specific needs, painting style, and workflow.
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Gouache can be reactivated with water
Gouache is a water-based paint that is easily reactivated with water. Its characteristics include opacity and vibrant colours, making it a popular choice for artists. It is similar to watercolour but with bigger pigments, resulting in a more opaque and granulated finish.
Gouache can be purchased in tubes, cups, cakes, or pans, with the pan form being the least common. While the creamy consistency of fresh gouache is lost in the pan form, it is more portable and convenient for travel. Artists who prefer to paint en plein air may find gouache pans useful as they reduce the mess created by carrying tubes of paint that can be easily crushed or broken.
To reactivate gouache in pans, add a few drops of water to each pan of colour using a soft brush, a baby nasal aspirator, or an artist's sponge. This can be done before starting a sketching session so that the paint is softened and ready for use. However, it is important to note that adding too much water can reduce the opacity of gouache, making it similar to watercolour.
Some brands of gouache may not reactivate well with water, especially cheaper brands with more fillers that degrade when diluted. Artists who want to maintain the opacity of their gouache should invest in high-quality, artist-grade paint and avoid "acrylic gouache" products, which cannot be reactivated once dry.
Additionally, gouache in pans may crack or crumble, and some colours may become grainy with continuous drying and rewetting. To reduce cracking and flaking, some artists add a few drops of honey and glycerine to the pans before filling them with gouache. This method may not be suitable for vegans as it includes ox gall.
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Gouache pans may have reduced opacity
Gouache is a water-based paint that has been used by artists for centuries. It is known for its opacity and vibrant colours. Gouache is available in pan form, which can be a convenient alternative to the traditional tubes. While gouache pans can be rewetted with water, there may be a reduction in opacity.
Gouache paints in pans can be rewetted with water, similar to watercolours. However, it is important to note that the opacity of the paint may be reduced when water is added. This is because the pigments in gouache are larger than those in watercolours, and the addition of water can make the gouache appear more similar to watercolour paint in terms of consistency and opacity. Therefore, it is crucial to add the right amount of water to maintain the desired opacity.
The quality of the gouache paint also plays a role in maintaining opacity when rewetting. Cheaper brands of paint tend to have more fillers that degrade when mixed with water, resulting in a more transparent colour. In contrast, high-quality artist-grade paint is less likely to experience a significant reduction in opacity when rewetting. To enhance the binding strength and reduce transparency, a drop of gum Arabic can be added to each colour. However, it is important not to add too much, as it can dilute the opacity and create a shiny finish once the paint dries.
Additionally, some colours of gouache may dry out more than others, requiring varying amounts of water for rewetting. Earth tones, in particular, are prone to cracking and crumbling. To reduce cracking and crumbling, artists can add a thin layer of warm honey-water to the paint and blend it with a toothpick or sewing pin. This technique can also be used to fill up the pans and reduce the drying time.
Overall, while gouache pans offer convenience and ease of use, artists should be aware of the potential reduction in opacity when rewetting the paint. By choosing high-quality paint, adding the appropriate amount of water, and considering additional techniques to reduce cracking and crumbling, artists can minimise the loss of opacity and maximise the benefits of using gouache pans.
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Gouache pans may crumble or crack
One artist shared their process of filling an empty pan halfway with gouache and then adding the honey-water mixture, blending it with a toothpick, and finally adding the glycerine and ox gall. This two-part process not only speeds up drying time but also helps reduce cracking and crumbling. Another artist suggested filing the bottom and inner sides of the pans to help the gouache adhere better and prevent it from popping out when dry.
Some artists prefer to use gouache straight from the tube, as it provides a juicier consistency and allows for easier colour mixing. Additionally, the tube form offers more paint than pans, and artists can carry multiple tubes in a small belt pouch. However, pans are convenient for travel and can be easily rewet with water, although this may reduce the opacity of the paint.
Overall, while gouache pans may crumble or crack, artists have found ways to mitigate these issues through various techniques and by choosing specific brands known for their better performance in pan form.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can use gouache in pans. However, you will lose the creamy consistency of gouache, and it is important to be careful with the quality of the gouache in pans.
To make gouache pans, use an empty watercolour palette and empty pans made for filling watercolour. Fill your pan with fresh paint, tap on a table to spread the paint, add some more paint, and let it air dry.
Some gouache paints may not reactivate in water and never become paint again. Cheaper brands of paint have more fillers, which degrade when diluted with water, resulting in more transparent colours. Stick with high-quality artist-grade paint, such as M. Graham, Holbein, or Winsor and Newton, which tend to be pigment-rich and relatively transparent.
