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Artists’ Gouache
Art Spectrum Gouache is a resoluble, quick-drying, waterbased colour of excellent opacity with a consistent, velvety finish. Made in the classic tradition, all colours are carefully triple-milled to ensure maximum brilliance and even coating of pigments. This method has been proven by the test of time. Concentrated pigment colour ensures a little goes a long way.
Genuine, water-based gouache in various forms has been in use since ancient times. The 14th century saw its use in beautifully illustrated manuscripts and JMW Turner, the English watercolourist, used gouache extensively on coloured papers. |
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Uses for Gouache
Art Spectrum genuine artist/designer gouache can be:
• diluted with water for watercolour effects
• applied in smooth, vibrant fields of colour
• used for fine, precise, detailed painting
• used to create spontaneous work with free-flowing brush strokes.
Art Spectrum gouache is the easiest artists’ colour to use. Mix gouache with just enough water on the palette to achieve a smooth, even flow when painted out. Avoid heavy impasto. Dried gouache on the palette can be rewetted and used when required. Use in combination with:
• Watercolours
• Soft Pastels
• Liquid Spectrum and Pigmented Inks
• Charcoal and other drawing media.
There are many possibilities, experimentation is worthwhile.
Economy: Art Spectrum gouache is extremely economical to use, which makes it deal for school and teaching purposes.
Surfaces for Gouache
• All watercolour papers, fine medium or rough, (Acid free, 100% Rag paper for permanency)
• Drawing papers and boards colourfix papers and boards
• Canvas and panels - preparation with Art Spectrum Pastel Primer or Artist Gesso will provide good adhesion, absorbency and flexibility
• Consider using tinted or coloured surfaces and papers.
Larger economical tubes and pots • Available in generous 22.5ml tubes with White, Jet Black, Primary Blue, Primary Yellow, Primary
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Art Spectrum Synthetic Ox Gall 50ml
A superb wetting agent. A drop or two in water, applied to the paper with a wash brush, gives extra flow, good adhesion and will also clean the surface, prior to painting, by removing greasy areas.
Art Spectrum Gum Arabic 50ml and 500ml
Additions of small amounts to gouache will make the colour resistant to water -useful when overpainting with diluted gouache.
Art Spectrum Liquid Spectrum Extender Medium 50ml and 500ml
The addition of small amounts of this medium to gouache will give extra flexibility and water
resistance when painted on canvas and gives good adhesion on nonabsorbent surfaces,
eg. glass, acetate etc. Dries with a gloss.
Art Spectrum Masking Fluid 100ml and 500ml
A rubber latex solution which is painted over an area you wish to keep free from colour. The dried solution is rubbed or peeled off, leaving the surface beneath untouched.
Art Spectrum Artists' Gouache Colour Chart
 Primrose Yellow BWS 8 |
 Yellow BWS 8 |
 Cadmium Yellow  BWS 7 |
 Naples Yellow BWS 7 |
 Yellow Deep BWS 8 |
 Orange BWS 8 |
 Vermilion BWS 8 |
 Cadmium Red BWS 7 |
 Poster Red BWS 7 |
 Crimson BWS 5 |
 Rose BWS 4 |
 Magenta BWS 4 - 5 |
 Violet BWS 4 - 5 |
 Prussian Blue BWS 8 |
 Phthalo Blue BWS 8 |
 Ultramarine BWS 7 |
 Cobalt Blue BWS 7 - 8 |
 Cerulean Blue BWS 8 |
 Sky Blue BWS 7 |
 Turquoise BWS 8 |
 Viridian BWS 8 |
 Dark Green BWS 8 |
 Middle Green BWS 8 |
 Light Green BWS 7 |
 Flesh Tint BWS 6 - 7 |
 Yellow Ochre BWS 8 |
 Raw Sienna BWS 8 |
 Burnt Sienna BWS 8 |
 Vandyke Brown BWS 8 |
 Burnt Umber BWS 8 |
 Raw Umber BWS 8 |
 Sepia BWS 8 |
 Jet Black BWS 8 |
 Black BWS 8 |
 White BWS 8 |
 Primary Red BWS 4 |
 Primary Yellow BWS 7 |
 Primary Blue BWS 8 |
 Gold BWS 8 |
 Silver BWS 8 |
 Copper BWS 8 |
 Bronze BWS 8 |
WARNING: Do not spray apply Cadmium Red and Cadmium Yellow. If swallowed seek medical advice. Keep out of reach of children.
Lightfastness ratings are given using the international Blue Wool Scale (BWS). Ratings of 6, 7 & 8 are considered permanent for artistic purposes.
Due to inherent differences in computer monitors, colours displayed above may not accurately represent the actual colour.
Our aim is to produce the finest, permanent artists' colours. Ongoing research and development may mean that specifications may change without prior notice.
Using Art Spectrum Artists’ Gouache
Art Spectrum Artists’ Gouache is an intensely pigmented opaque watercolour. Very small
amounts cover large areas.
Art Spectrum Artists’ Gouache is a non-toxic, water based and quick drying concentrated colour.
It dries to a matt finish. Dried paint on the palette is rewettable, minimising wastage.
There are no fumes to worry about, no clogged brushes and no need to pile the paint on. A thin
coat of Art Spectrum Artists’ Gouache will give maximum coverage.
Gouache is a traditionally made colour that is not intended to be applied as a thick impasto paint. Even though the paint is used thinly, the opaque quality of gouache creates the appearance of a thick layer of intense colour.
Gouache is a versatile medium. It can be painted onto canvas, papers, boards, card and wood.
Gouache also works well in combination with the Art Spectrum range of watercolours, inks and
pastels. It can also be used with charcoal, pencil and many other media. Experimentation is
worthwhile.
Gouache painting on canvas
Canvas has been used for many centuries as a support for very thinly applied gum based
watercolours. These canvases are normally finely woven and thoroughly prepared with chalk
style grounds that have the essential attributes of absorbency and tooth. Art Spectrum Artists’
Gesso and Colourfix™ Primer (available in 16 colours as well as Clear) are ideal matt
preparations for gouache painting on canvas. Slick, glossy surfaces are not suitable. Many
combinations of media can be used with gouache on canvas, such as charcoal, pastels and inks.
For oil painting, gouache can be used as a thin under painting, or sketch.
Overpainting
Overworking and using gouache too wet when overpainting may cause a muddying effect. This is easily overcome by selecting surfaces that have a degree of absorbency and tooth (eg
Colourfix™ Paper or watercolour papers). Add gum arabic to to gouache paint during mixing to
create a water resistant layer of colour that won’t easily lift or become muddy. Do not add too
much gum Arabic as this will result in a glossy paint film that is prone to cracking. Liquid Spectrum Ink Extender is a good alternative. Mix with gouache to extend and create
varying degrees of transparency and water resistance. Add small amounts until the desired
consistency is reached, then apply with a damp brush.
Creating transparent watercolour effects
These are easily achieved by using ample quantities of water with gouache. It is important to
select heavy weight watercolour papers or boards (eg 300 to 600 gsm).
Creating impasto effects
Mix equal parts (or less) of gouache to Colourfix™ Primer Clear to form a water resistant impasto paint that dries to a matt finish. When dry, this tough surface can be worked with a variety of mixed media (eg pastels, charcoal, inks, oil pastels etc). To create an extensive range of pastel colours mix gouache with Colourfix™ Primer White. Wash brushes in water immediately after using Colourfix™ Primer.
Other techniques to try
Scumbling light colours over dark ones will create many complex tones and effects.
The opaque quality of gouache makes it suitable for correcting faults by painting out sections of a painting.
Art Spectrum Masking Fluid can be applied to dry paper, left to dry and then overpainted with
gouache. Rub or peel off when the paint has dried to reveal the untouched paper. A Colour
Shaper® makes an ideal applicator as the masking fluid can simply be wiped off the nonabsorbent tip.
Use a Colour Shaper® to create form and texture with wet gouache.
Art Spectrum Matt Wax Varnish is a suitable varnish for gouache on paper, canvas, wood etc.
Apply it evenly and lightly with a lint free rag to keep the gouache effect, or apply it thickly for a
gloss finish. When the varnish has dried, lightly buff with a lint free cloth to the desired finish.
Non-toxic wood staining
Apply Art Spectrum Gouache to dampened timber to create single or multicoloured wood stains.
The type of timber used will alter the final colour. Light coloured timber will give the brightest
results.
Apply diluted gouache as a wash or add a small amount of colour to damp timber and paint out
with a wet brush or sponge. Allow the gouache to absorb for a minute or two before rubbing or
wiping back with a damp cloth to the desired finish.
To lighten further rub back using more water or add more gouache colour to darken. The stain
can be altered even when dry by rubbing with a damp cloth.
The gouache stain will lighten to a matt finish upon drying. As a final permanent finish apply Art
Spectrum Matt Wax Varnish.
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For information about your nearest supplier contact Art Spectrum. |
