How can you find the best gouache paints for Artists, Designers, and Illustrators? Below, We list brands that can be considered as one the most reputable art supply manufacturers.
What is gouache ?
Gouache, also known as opaque watercolor, is a water-based medium paint consisting of a natural pigment, water, and a binder (such as gum arabic or dextrin). Gouache is more suitable for direct painting techniques than watercolor because of its ability to quickly cover and power hiding.
Today, gouache is used a lot by artists for works such as posters, illustrations, comics, and fashion design.
What is the difference between gouache and watercolor?
Gouache paints are similar to watercolors in that they are both water-based medium, which means the paint is mixed with water before application. In addition, Both use Gum Arabic or Honey as binders. Besides; unlike watercolor- gouache is opaque instead of transparent. The size of pigment particles of gouache is larger than that of watercolor. Gouache dries faster and you can also add more water and continue painting.
Papers:
Manufacturers usually do not produce a line of paper specifically for Gouache painting, they are used with watercolor paper. Because this type of watercolor paper(100% cotton) is specially designed for the absorbency of watercolors, but for Gouache it does not have the slightest advantage.Â
My suggestion is that you should use 100% wood pulp or 50% cotton – 50% wood pulp watercolor paper with a weight of 200gsm to 300gsm is best.
Brushes:
Gouache paint is much thicker and heavier than watercolor paint, so gouache brushes are made of a thicker, harder material to allow the paint to spread evenly over the surface.Â
How to Use:
Watercolors are painted from light to dark, while gouaches are the opposite – from dark to light. You have to add White to the color to create basic opaque painting techniques in the gouaches, while watercolors are done by using watercolor transparency.
Top 7 Best Gouache For Artists, Designers, Illustrators
To help you on your way to gouache painting fun, we’ve listed the top 07 best gouache paint for Artists, Designers, and Illustrators.
1. Winsor & Newton Designers Gouache
We begin our list of Best Gouache For Artists, Designers, and Illustrators with a brand that can be considered as one of the most reputable art supply manufacturers.Â
Newton & Newton was founded in the UK with the aim of providing painters with the best choice of pigments with the highest possible durability.Â
Released for the first time since 1925, To date, Winsor & Newton’s Designers Gouache includes a range of 89 opaque colors, made from high-quality pigments. Its quality is perfect for designers, illustrators, and artists to create bold, vibrant works of art.
- Opaque Water Colors renowned for their color brilliance & matt finish
- Introductory set ideal for designers
Key Features:
- Range of 89 opaque Colors
- Country of Origin: UK
- Used for Designers, artists, and illustrators
- Available in Single Tubes, Tubes Sets
2.Holbein Artists' Gouache
Holbein is an art supplies manufacturer from Japan, they are also one of the world’s largest companies of professional artist materials. Holbein uses only the finest pigments available, they do not make any products for students and beginners.
A total of 89 vibrant opaque colors in a 15ml tube, with high light fastness. Holbein Artist’s Gouache is selected from high-quality pigment without any whitening agent added. Allows them to achieve great saturation and blends easily without losing brightness, opacity, or color value.
- Holbein Artists' Gouache Set - Set of 12, 5 ml tubes
- Assorted
Key Features:
- Include 89 brilliant opaque colors in 15ml tubes
- Country of Origin: Japan
- Used for Designers, artists, and illustrators
- Available in Single Tubes, Tubes Sets,Â
3. M. Graham Artists' Gouache
Graham & Co is an American manufacturer of art materials. Although founded in 1970, this young company has won the trust of artists by providing them with safe, high-quality products.
M. Graham Artist’s Gouaches are traditionally formulated to bind pigments with raw honey and gum arabic. This allows you to create the opacity you want without having to add White or Chalk. Their Gouache includes 35 brilliant opaque colors in a 15ml tube, selected the purest traditional materials, and spends a lot of time grinding each custom pigment.
- Artist quality gouache paint made with pure blackberry honey
- Free for chalk and opacifying adulterants
Key Features:
- Include 35 brilliant opaque colors in 15ml tubes
- Country of Origin: USA
- Used for Designers, artists, and illustrators
- Available in Single Tubes, Tubes Sets,Â
4. Da Vinci Professional Gouache
Da Vinci Paint Company was founded in 1975 in California, USA. Paint formulations tested in Italy more than 100 years ago evolved into the Da Vinci Paint of today.
Their combination of traditional formula and modern technology is finally noticed and loved by today’s artists.
Like other Da Vinci paints, Da Vinci Professional Gouache Paints are mixed and milled using the highest-quality pigments. It is produced according to traditional and handicraft formulas offering great value.
In addition, Da Vinci offers this high-quality pigment in a tube size of 37 ml; Titanium White and Black are also available in 150 ml tube sizes. Give fashion designers, illustrators, and artists more than double the usual amount of paint for the same price.
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Key Features:
- Include 35 brilliant opaque colors in 37ml tubes
- Country of Origin: USA
- Used for Designers, artists, and illustrators
- Available in Single Tubes, Tubes Sets,Â
5. Royal Talens Gouache
The history of Royal Talens begins in 1899 in the city of Apeldoorn, Netherlands. Initially, they were only interested in the production of office supplies and printing ink. In 1904, they beginning of their production of high-quality artist paints.
Unlike other brands of pigments. Royal Talens Gouache uses a dextrin-based binder as an alternative to Gum arabic- helping it become more fluid when blended and covering large areas more evenly. In addition, dextrin-based adhesives are cheaper than Gum Arabic binders, so Gouache of Royal Talens offers artists and designers great value that’s affordable.
- Superb opaque coverage
- Traditional Gouache, made with a dextrin binder
Key Features:
- Include 60 brilliant opaque colors in 15ml tubes
- Country of Origin: Netherlands
- Used for Designers, artists, and illustrators
- Available in Single Tubes, Tubes Sets,Â
6. Schmincke Horadam Artist Gouache and Designers Gouache
The German manufacturer has a history dating back to 1881. Schmincke is one of the best brands for artists. Their products are famous for their hand-selected pigments sourced from all over Europe.Â
 Schmincke Horadam Artist Gouache includes 48 pure opaque colors very finely ground, easily diluted with water, and re-moisturized if left to dry on the palette. Horadam Gouache has no white added to it so it can create vibrant color blends that almost no other pigment can match.
- 🎨 THE BRAND: Schmincke has been producing the best, finest artists' colors Made in...
- 🎨 HORADAM GOUACHE: Finest gouache colour in a 15 ml tube, best HORADAM quality for...
Key Features:
- Include 48 brilliant opaque colors in 15ml tubes
- Country of Origin: Germany
- Used for Designers, artists, and illustrators
- Available in Single Tubes, Tubes Sets,Â
7. Daler-Rowney Aquafine Gouache Paint
Daler-Rowney is a manufacturer of art materials with a history of nearly 240 years. From 1783 to the present day, they have been known as the leader in the production and development of high-end artist materials in the UK for many years.
Daler-Rowney Aquafine Gouache includes 30 opaque colors, made from high-quality pigments, each of which is dense, rich, and finely milled for optimal performance and opacity.
They are ideal for mixed media and traditional techniques. Daler-Rowney Aquafine Gouache can be re-dissolved with water after drying, allowing dry areas to be easily applied with the next layering.
- Includes 12 vibrant colours of 15ml Aquafine highly pigmented gouache opaque watercolours.
- Excellent lightfastness - 3 to 4 stars - to help prevent fading and colour change.
Key Features:
- Include 30 brilliant opaque colors in 15ml tubes
- Country of Origin: UK
- Used for Designers, artists, and illustrators
- Available in Single Tubes, Tubes Sets,Â