What brand of gouache should I buy?
So you have decided you want to try gouache, but there’s so many options to choose from! Lets take a look at why some brands might suit you better than others.
Budget
Gouache generally comes in two different price categories: Inexpensive sets or more expensive individual tubes. More expensive gouache gets its opacity from extra pigment, which is more costly, whereas inexpensive gouache uses chalk to get that same opacity. I use all kinds of different gouache when I paint in my sketchbooks, and generally reserve the finest quality paints for artwork that I plan to sell.
A great starter set
The first gouache set I ever bought was the Arteza 24 set. I used this inexpensive set for nearly a year before trying other gouache paints. They are buttery smooth to work with and this set will let you experiment freely without worrying about the cost.
I also adore the Jeece Finest gouache set. This also comes in a 24 set and has slightly larger tubes. Again these are beautifully smooth and easy to work with and I turn to them often for painting in my sketchbook.
Choose either of these sets if you want to play around with gouache. These are great options for getting to know the medium without having to invest in more expensive paints.
Convenience
Gouache always works best straight from the tube. Sure it can be reactivated once it has dried, but it never gets that same creaminess. But sometimes we don't want the inconvenience of having to dispense a lot of different colors onto our palette, and that's where the Miya jelly gouache set wins.
This chunky gouache palette is filled with large pots of individual gouache colors, so once you remove the lid you can access all the colors at once. This is really convenient when painting!
Over time the pots will dry out a little because they spend so much time exposed to the air and you can mix a little water in with a toothpick or the handle of a brush to bring them back to their creamy consistency.
Choose this gouache if you value convenience while you paint and learn.
A crowd favorite
Winsor & Newton have a well established reputation for creating great quality art supplies, and their gouache doesn’t disappoint. It comes in a huge variety of vibrant colors and can be found in small ‘mixing sets’ that contain the primaries and also in single tubes, which makes expanding your collection really convenient.
If you find yourself drawn in by the stunning selection of color on offer, keep your eye on the light-fastness ratings. W&N gouache is labelled as ‘designers gouache’ which is typically used for artwork intended to be reproduced in print rather than hung on the wall. Some of the most spectacular colors, such as opera rose, have a poor light-fastness rating and would quickly fade if displayed in a frame.
If you want to try Winsor & Newton gouache, get the 6 piece mixing set. It contains the primaries plus black, white and green, making it an excellent option if you want to brush up on your color mixing skills.
Artist quality
The M. Graham gouache is exceptional quality. It is a little different to the other gouache I have mentioned because it has no chalk added to any of the colors to boost the opacity. This allows you to achieve beautiful luminous colors, but requires you to add your own white gouache to the mix where you need additional coverage. It also uses honey in the paint mixture which gives it buttery quality unlike any of the others.
I use this gouache for all the original artwork that I sell because of its superb quality.
Choose this gouache if you want to sell your original paintings.