Further Information

This section gives you some additional information and useful facts about Designers' Gouache. 

History
Why use Gouache?
Who uses Gouache?
Discontinued Colours 

The History of Gouache

Gouache is actually both a technique and a product.

The tecnhique, dating to before the Renaissance, refers to the use of white to achieve opacity in water based colours. Originally used for illuminating manuscripts, it was Paul Sandby in the 18th centruy who first used the painting technique extensively and later the Pre-Raphaelites. Opaque techniques were further popularised by the Impressionists and Post-Impressionists, in their use of pastel, lithography and wood cuts.

Gouache, the product, was a result of this interest in both opaque and water based products. Poster colour appeared after the First World War and this was significantly improved upon by Winsor & Newton, with the introduction of Designers' Opaque Water Colour in the 1930's.

1930s tube

Tube designs L-R: 1977, 1986, 2008

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Why use Gouache?

Gouache is a very versatile paint which can transcend the boundaries of many mediums. It can make a wash like a water colour, blend like an oil colour and dry brush like acrylic.

It can be used thinly for a wash at the start of a painting then applied in thicker layers towards the end. Due to its opaque nature it can be applied in solid colours, allowing you to paint in layers from dark to light.

It is a direct and quick druing paint with superb covering power which is achieved by the high levels of pigmentation (not by the use of fillers or opacifiers). Unlike transparent water colour, where you need to plan and reserve the white of the paper, gouache is more controllable and enables you to remove mistakes and re-paint.

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Who uses Gouache?

Designers - its ease of use, brilliance, quick drying and matt finish make it the most popular designers' and illustrators' colour. The opaque, matt finish makes for more accurate reproduction at artwork stage as it minimises reflections.
Fine artists - use it in conjunction with water colour or on its own as opaque water colour. Its brillance and opacity give it solidity, excellent for abstract work and extra details. Strong effects also result from the contrast of working on colour backgrounds which are left partly exposed.
Calligraphers - gouache is used by calligraphers because of its excellent flow, opacity and permanence.
Marblers - the high pigmentation and gum arabic base make it a common choice with professional marblers.

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Discontinued Colours

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