Cody Casey
Gouache is a water-based paint with a higher pigment concentration than watercolour, resulting in a thicker consistency and a more opaque finish. It is typically sold in tubes or cups, but can also be purchased or made into cakes or pans. Using gouache in pan form can be more convenient and portable than using tubes, but it may result in a loss of the paint's creamy consistency. To make your own gouache pans, fill the pan with fresh paint, tap it on a table to spread the paint, add more paint if needed, and let it air dry. Some gouache paints may crack or crumble when dried, so it is important to choose a high-quality paint and consider adding a plastifier like honey, sugar, or glycerin to prevent this.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Drying time | Varies depending on the brand; M. Graham & Co. Artists' Gouache dries relatively slowly |
| Reactivation with water | Easy to reactivate with water; add a drop or two of water to each paint color |
| Mold | Not an issue unless there is a mold problem in the environment |
| Portability | More portable than tubes or cups |
| Quality | May vary; need to be careful with the quality of the gouache in pans |
| Consistency | Loss of creamy consistency when using pans |
| Opacity | Loss of opacity when rewetting dried gouache |
| Cracking | Prone to cracking, especially earth tones |
| Crumbling | Prone to crumbling, especially W/N Designer Gouache and Daniel Smith Chinese White |
| Plastifier | Honey, sugar, and glycerin can be added to prevent crumbling |
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What You'll Learn
Pros and cons of using pans
Gouache can be used in pans, but there are various pros and cons to this method.
Pros
The main advantage of using pans is portability. Gouache tubes can be messier and more prone to damage during transportation, whereas pans are more compact and less likely to spill or break. This makes them ideal for painting en plein air. Pans are also more convenient than tubes, especially for beginners, as they are easier to set up and clean.
Cons
The key disadvantage of using pans is the potential loss of gouache's characteristic creamy consistency. The paint may dry out and become less opaque, requiring reactivation with water. This extra step can be time-consuming, as you must wait for the paint to soften and may need to practise adding the right amount of water to avoid ending up with paint that is too watery.
Additionally, some colours may be more prone to cracking and crumbling, and the paint may not be as vibrant as when used fresh from the tube.
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Preparing the paint
Gouache is a water-based paint with a higher pigment concentration than watercolour, resulting in a thicker consistency and a more opaque finish. It can be purchased in tubes, cups, cakes or pans, although tubes and cups are more common today.
Gouache can be reactivated with water, making it suitable for use in pans. However, this may result in a loss of opacity and creamy consistency. If you are using tubes or cups, you can pour the gouache directly into the pans. Use a toothpick to ensure that the paint reaches every corner of the pan, then fill it to the top.
To prevent cracking, which is common with gouache, you can add a plastifier such as honey, sugar, or glycerin. To do this, add a few drops of honey or glycerin to the pan, along with 2-3 drops of water. You can also add a small amount of oxgall to the mixture. Stir the contents of the pan well. Check over the next few days if the colours require more of the mixture, adding as needed.
Once you have filled and treated the pans, leave them to air dry with a lid to prevent dust from getting in. Depending on the colour, it may take 30-40 days for the paint to fully dry.
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Filling the pans
Prepare the Gouache Mix
Before filling the pans, it is essential to prepare the gouache mixture. Start by squeezing out the desired amount of gouache paint from the tube into a separate container. Gouache has a tendency to crack when dried, so consider adding a plastifier like honey, glycerin, or sugar to the mix. Honey is a popular choice, and you can add two drops of honey per half pan. Alternatively, you can experiment with other plastifiers, but be cautious as adding too much can cause the paint to become shiny and sticky.
Fill the Pans
Once you have prepared the gouache mixture, it's time to fill the pans. Use a toothpick to ensure the paint gets into every corner of the pan and fill it to the top. Tap the pan on a table to spread the paint evenly and remove any air bubbles. You can fill multiple pans with different colours and arrange them as you prefer, creating a chromatic wheel or light-to-dark gradient.
Let the Pans Dry
After filling the pans, it's important to let them air dry completely. Cover the pans with a lid or plastic wrap to prevent dust from settling on the paint as it dries. The drying time may vary depending on the environment and the thickness of the paint layer. Some artists recommend letting the gouache dry for at least 30 days.
Rehydrating the Gouache
When you're ready to use the gouache, rehydrate the dried paint by spraying or adding a few drops of water to each pan. The amount of water needed will vary, and you may need to experiment to find the right consistency. Keep in mind that gouache is known for its opacity, but adding too much water can reduce this opacity, giving it a watercolour-like appearance.
Tips and Troubleshooting
Some brands of gouache may be more prone to cracking and crumbling than others. If you encounter issues with your gouache drying out and becoming difficult to rehydrate, consider adding a drop of gum Arabic to each colour to increase the binder strength. However, be cautious as too much gum Arabic can also affect the opacity and shine of the paint. Additionally, while pans offer portability, they may not provide the same creamy consistency as fresh gouache from a tube.
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Drying the pans
Drying gouache pans requires careful preparation to ensure the paint doesn't crack or crumble. Firstly, it's important to choose a high-quality artist-grade gouache, as cheaper brands may have more fillers that degrade when mixed with water, resulting in reduced opacity and transparency issues. M. Graham gouache is a popular choice as it contains honey, which helps prevent cracking.
To begin the drying process, use a toothpick to ensure the paint is evenly distributed in the pan, filling every corner. Some artists recommend adding a few drops of honey per pan to further prevent cracking. Additionally, you can add a small amount of glycerin to act as a plastifier and help the paint retain its consistency. However, be cautious not to add too much, as it can cause the paint to become shiny, take too long to dry, or remain sticky.
Once the paint is in the pan, gently tap the pan on a table to spread it evenly and remove any air bubbles. You can then fill it with more paint and let it air dry. Cover the pan with a lid to prevent dust from settling on the paint as it dries. The drying time can vary, but it typically ranges from 30 to 40 days.
It's worth noting that gouache is susceptible to drying out, and the dried form may not offer the same creamy consistency as fresh gouache. Additionally, rehydrating dried gouache may require more time and experimentation with the amount of water needed. However, the convenience of dried gouache pans lies in their portability, making them ideal for painting on the go.
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Rehydrating the paint
Gouache is a water-based medium that can be reactivated with water. However, rehydrating dried gouache will never make it as opaque as fresh paint. The opacity is reduced when water is added, and adding too much water will make it identical to watercolour.
To rehydrate gouache, place a drop or two of water on each paint colour and allow it to soften. You can also spray the palette with water to rehydrate the paint. It is important to note that not all gouache pigments reactivate in water in the same way, and cheaper brands may become more transparent after rewetting.
To prevent cracking, you can add a plastifier such as honey, sugar, or glycerin to the paint. However, adding too much plastifier will cause the paint to become shiny and may prevent it from drying properly.
Some artists recommend using fresh gouache straight from the tube, rather than rehydrating dried paint. This is because dried gouache can be more difficult to work with and may not produce the same results.
Overall, while it is possible to rehydrate gouache, it may take some experimentation to achieve the desired consistency and opacity.
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Frequently asked questions
To put gouache in pans, fill your pan with fresh paint, tap the pan on a table to spread the paint, add more paint, and let it air dry. You can arrange the colours in a chromatic wheel or with light and dark colours.
Using gouache in pans is more portable than tubes or cups, and it is also less messy.
The creamy consistency of gouache is lost when it is put in pans. Gouache in pans is also more susceptible to drying out.
