Gouache is basically opaque watercolor.
While watercolor paint acts much like
a stain on the painting surface, gouache
has a noticeable thickness which will
create a layer of paint.
According to The Artist's Handbook, "gouache
paints are made by grinding pigments
in the same medium as is used for watercolors;
but by grinding with a definitely larger
percentage of vehicle than is used in
watercolor, and by adding various amounts
of such inert pigments as chalk or white
pigment (to improve color and textural
effects, not as an adulterant) the opaque
effect is obtained."
Gouache is frequently used to create
artwork for photographing in the graphic
design industry. Like watercolor, it
remains water soluble after it dries
on the painting surface. This means that
fine artwork created in gouache should
be framed behind glass when the piece
is completed.
And finally, gouache is available
in both artist and student grades, depending
on the quality of the pigment.
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