can watercolor paint be used with gouache paint?

Question

Hi, I was wondering if I could use watercolor paint with gouache paint? What I was wondering is , are they compatible? I read somewhere that gouache was opaque watercolor, so I was wondering if I could use a white gouache paint with my watercolors? Has anyone tried this and if so what was your experience? Hope to find out soon, I'm ready to paint! LOL SD

Answer 1

Sure, why not. Matisse use gouache on occasion: http://www.musee-matisse-nice.org/ Click on the English version, then on the yellow flower for the site map, then click on the Goauche Docopees.. Gouache differs from watercolor in that it contains an opaque white pigment, usually chalk.

Gouache painting is used most often on posters and other design work. Modern day animators use it to create opaque color on a cel with watercolor paint used for backgrounds. Check out this painter: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_Parratt

Gouache dries lighter than it goes down. Do several quick runs with both types of paint. The only way to tell is to get started. There may be a few flops, but once you understand and use the transparency of watercolor with the opacity of gouache, the better painter you can be.

Answer 2

Yes, Gouache is an opaque watercolor, that is the color is added to China white.
Glazing, however, with gouache is an impossibity.

Answer 3

Yes, you can.
Some Purists think it's wrong to use white or black in watercolour paintings but basically do what you feel.
Don't try to put watercolour over the gouache tho'

Answer 4

absolutely. they are pretty much the same thing. Egon Scheille would use white gouache all the time. i used both alot in college, and they are so simmilar it wont make a diiference. basically the same thing.

Answer 5

sure, why not...I use gouache with watercolour, ink, and even an oil glaze over the top sometimes.
Go nuts.

Answer 6

of course, it give the paint a more interesting look, which makes the painting well more interesting haha