New to gouache? Painting with THICK layers of gouache ✶ Palette box tips 

Yes absolutely! Great advice. It's really hard when you're following hundreds of artists and they are all doing something different - it's like you want to try all those styles too. But in the end, keep doing what makes YOU happy. You'll find your tribe!

I'm feel the same way

P

This!! But also, not treating every artist demonstration of their work as a tutorial. It is such a pet peeve of mine, especially as someone who spends a lot of time on pinterest where every art piece is seen as an invitation to be reproduced through direct copying and then celebrated by others. I really wish people would be more considerate of the time artists spend creating their compositions, developing their ideas, connecting with the meaning of these concepts and not blatantly rip off original artworks. Copying is perfectly fine under some circumstances (cite! always!) and a good way to learn, but you must give credit to the artist. Even if it's in your sketchbook, for your eyes only. But that does not provide you the same skill as direct observation of the world around you, or learning to work from multiple references (copyright free photos as opposed to finished original artworks, your own photos, etc.) When people do this, they are not exercising artistic skills beyond the technical. They bypass so much of this process, from curating the visual information you see before you/making choices as an artist, composing your scene, developing style, all the trial and error or following through with a concept you are passionate about. Worst of all, they are missing out on expressing themselves creating something that has never existed before. Copying another person's artwork can make an excellent "study," but it will never be an original art piece. It makes me nervous to post my work online, and nervous for those, like you, who are brave (and generous) enough to share their work and process with us. I've seen people straight up badgering artists for a list of all the products they used including their reference photo so they can make their own exactly the same, even when the artist specifically mentioned painting it en plein air. Sorry, rant over. 😅

I think so many of us share common struggles with gouache, but sometimes it's hard to explain, so it's nice to know it is helpful!

Everyone has an opinion (usually pretty strong) about how to use certain materials. Some people are experts and their opinion is an educated one. But it’s never the only way! In fact, I use water mixable oils for all my oil paintings and there are some people who think water mixable oils are an abomination lol. I do agree that acrylic shouldn’t be watered down too much with water as it tends to become gloopy and harder to work with, but for a tiny amount it is fine, I never had any major problems. But with gouache, it’s very much about personal preference. The binder is gum arabic (or sometimes dextrin), the same as watercolor, but some manufacturers add an inert material (the chalky substance) to make it opaque. Higher quality gouache doesn’t add much (if any) filler, they use more pigment. In all gouache, except maybe the cheapest stuff, there’s MORE pigment and less binder. This is what gives gouache its incredible vibrancy. Thinning it with water doesn’t degrade it but it makes it more difficult to create even colors - it might get streaky or spotty. The original “gouache” was called Opaque Watercolor before it evolved to its current form. So don’t hesitate to add water if you want!

Any artist who says there’s only one way to do something is not someone anyone should listen to.

It's a little confused that some Artist said that gouache are watercolours, but when I started to try gouache knowing watercolours... it's not same! And yes, I'm like you, I don't want to waste my paintings and pouring the tube of paint completely into the container, that makes me anxious.😅

Hahaha "gouache sitter"

I agree, that’s always fascinating to me!

I've been feeling similarly lately - I can't get enough of gouache! I do watercolor, gouache, and oil regularly, but I find that I'm the most "relaxed" with gouache.

I’m glad my videos are helping you!

Glad you are enjoying them!

How exciting!! Let me know how you get on with it

Actually, I recently purchased the same palette and the W&N 10-color intro set plus quin magenta, cobalt turquoise light, and a bigger tube of permanent white. I haven't set it up yet, but would have only used it for plein air and used tubes in the studio. But after listening to your learnings and revelations, I'm going to create my own gouache mothership!!!! Right now I'm using a large jelly gouache set to see if I enjoyed the medium and I've fallen in love with gouache!

Your W&N set sounds like a good place to start!

Do you still use the gouache mothership or have you gone back to tubes in the studio? Just curious. The sealable palette looks like it has the convenience of the jelly palette I'm using now, and it's all about removing the friction, right?

@@lynnephelps2370 It changes month to month. Lately I'm experimenting with a dried gouache palette (shown in recent videos)

Thank you Lucy! I hope you enjoy your gouache adventures!

Thank you so much!

Glad you enjoyed it!

Thank you ☺

You're so welcome!

You are so welcome!

Thank you so much!

That’s so nice of him!

Have fun!

Thank you! Welcome and Cheers!

Sounds similar to my situation! I’ve been enjoying it so much more now. And also, you could always start by only filling up the wells like 25-50% until you feel more comfortable (I’ve filled mine up to the top now haha)

Thank you so much!!

Hi Lily! Thank you for the suggestion. I'll definitely remember that. And im glad you are enjoying the videos (even the old ones!)

It's worth trying a few different techniques to see which one you like! This video is a little bit older, and my technique has transformed - now I'm somewhere between thin and thick..I like both for different reasons

Go for it!

Just make sure it has a silicone seal! I have since found a better travel palette which is in the supply list in the description.

I'm glad it inspired you! Just a quick note that once you fill the palette, it will take some maintenance to avoid problems like mold. I've posted more recent videos about how I clean and "refresh" this palette you might enjoy. And coming up, I'm going to deep dive into more details of care and especially regarding mold (I personally haven't experienced it but many others have)

@@SarahBurnsStudio yes, living in VA, mold has never been an issue. I'm still baffled as how to, or if I can, manage quick plein air sketching with gouache. With that container, there's still the necessity of a palette. With wc, I can hold paints /palette in one hand. I need to watch some videos as I'm heading overseas.

@@leewarren492 the lid opens up and is the mixing tray :)

Sounds like you have a really good approach! I ended up finding an awesome sale on my W&N gouache, so now I'm painting freely without worrying about every last drop. So much freedom in that mindset and I do much better work now.

You could do your initial layer wet-into-wet and get a VERY soft edge then let that dry before moving on. But of course this requires ample planning much like water color!

Hmmm maybe? You could try a drop in one of the colors as a test

Still loving my palette box! And I never have mold 🙂

I never think of masking...but I know it can be useful! I guess I'm too impatient 😂

Mine was gifted to me from my amazon wishlist. It says "Splendi" on it. But I think any of them are similar, maybe just double check the reviews. Great idea with the lens holder!

Here's one: www.amazon.com/Watercolor-Palette-24-Well-Airtight-Watercolors/dp/B07DYNHGKY/ref=pd_sbs_201_1/137-2258950-8860069?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B07DYNHGKY&pd_rd_r=4b31dde6-1cbd-4dfc-abf4-b270b4f058a1&pd_rd_w=umem1&pd_rd_wg=vHxuM&pf_rd_p=d28ef93e-22cf-4527-b60a-90c984b5663d&pf_rd_r=K5J1ZHRCAFCP0831H967&psc=1&refRID=K5J1ZHRCAFCP0831H967 And here's another for comparison: www.amazon.com/Palette-Containter-Watercolor-Depotting-Lipsticks/dp/B07FVSCHC1/ref=pd_sbs_201_4/137-2258950-8860069?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B07FVSCHC1&pd_rd_r=4b31dde6-1cbd-4dfc-abf4-b270b4f058a1&pd_rd_w=umem1&pd_rd_wg=vHxuM&pf_rd_p=d28ef93e-22cf-4527-b60a-90c984b5663d&pf_rd_r=K5J1ZHRCAFCP0831H967&psc=1&refRID=K5J1ZHRCAFCP0831H967 This will at least give you an idea of what to search for. ☺

Nope, i still prefer to use gouache on hot pressed paper (super smooth!) because its easier to get nice smooth lines if I want

​@@SarahBurnsStudioHmmmm. That makes me wonder how well 220gM2 cartridge paper would work like with thicker consistency out of the tube gouache. I have a few pads around. Maybe experiment today.

Yes that is a good method! But it can promote mold growth after a while so just be careful how you store it. This is why the M. Graham gouache tends to mold when kept in a sealed palette.

No I haven't tried jelly gouache.

This video is a little older, and I've tried a couple different boxes since then. I really like this one, www.jacksonsart.com/studio-essentials-foldable-bucket-brush-washer-dark-blue and I really like using a sta-wet palette more often.

Yes, I've been using this box for almost a year now and never had any problems. I just continue to refill the paint as I run out. My mixing tray is from a different palette, but technically you could mix on the lid of this box. I've never used casein.

Thanks Sarah. Good to hear it’s endured the test of time.

Oops I forgot to update the link! Here is my newer supply list fearlessbrush.com/my-favorite-art-supplies/

No because that is permanent (dries solid) - I wouldn't risk ruining a palette

Yes I spritz the palette and mixing area once in a while. If I know it will be sitting unused for a short time I give it a spray. By the time I go to use it, it won’t be runny. My mixing tray is the removable tray from my watercolor palette :) but you can pretty much use anything.

Haha that totally depends on the user!

Thanks! No i do not.

@@SarahBurnsStudio So, how do you protect them? with glass?

If they are to be displayed they immediately go behind glass. Otherwise they are meant for reproduction (prints or digital) so I do a high quality scan and then store them away safely

@@henriquejanuario881 - Very Important Tip: Gouache actually is watercolor (unless it's acrylic) and so must be treated as such. If you're going to frame it; use a mat to keep glass from touching it. Glass changes temperature thus attracting moisture from the air, as does the gouache and paper, which will cause the painting to stick to the glass, which ruins it and can encourage mold. If you don't want to mat the painting there are spacers that some framers use to separate glass from artwork.

The mixing tray came out of my watercolor palette - just a cheap closeable palette I got on amazon for £15

@@SarahBurnsStudio Thanks -

SPLENDI watercolor box on amazon

You can use a stay-wet type palette, or you can cover your mixing tray with cling film. O

Hello! No problems at all. Still moist, still using it every week. I've heard some people say their M Graham gouache gets moldy if left alone too long because they use honey in their binder. Maybe start with only 1/2 the tube in the palette box and see how it goes for a few weeks, making sure to use it or at least stir it every week.

It's totally find to mix watercolor and gouache, as they are SO similar (it's not like mixing watercolor and oil). So yes, go for it :) In fact this weekend I'm sharing a video exactly about this

Thank you! 😊

My M Graham kept getting moldy also in this palette. So frustrating because I love their colors - Payne’s Gray, it’s Raw Umber, Quin Rose. I just bought all new WN gouache paints. I hope I have your luck with them! Lol. Did you put the clove oil in the WN?

@@staceywilder6828 I put clove oil in all of them but the mold still persisted in the m Graham gouache. I must have used too much clove oil bc it caused all my paints to "fish eye". If you don't use any M Graham in this palette you won't need the clove oil.

What palette is this? I cannot read name on the lid

Dorlunds cold wax

I use a different travel palette now, and a larger palette in the studio. I should do an update video!

@@SarahBurnsStudio cool, i always love to hear your thoughts on Gouache!

Clove bud oil is anti microbial so a drop in your paint will reduce chances of mold

Hmm.. not sure!

I wouldn’t

Depends on your climate and how thick it is...but for me it can be 1 minute to 10 minutes

@@SarahBurnsStudio wow that’s long, anyways thank you! My new set is coming in a week! I’m just a beginner 🥺

I wouldn't risk it

Usually just a drop of gum arabic

@@SarahBurnsStudio great! Thanks so much for your quick response and fantastic wealth of info!

For the most part, yes, I start with thinner layers and get thicker towards the end. Nowadays I use less water overall, and less layers, but it’s the same idea

It says Splendid but it was some generic brand from Amazon years ago. But if you search air tight watercolor palette there are tons of them

It's extremely useful for mixing a larger amount! Otherwise the brush gets so clogged and you end up wasting some

@@SarahBurnsStudio Yes, not to mention you end up having a heck of a time getting it out of the ferrule of the brush. Been there done that. It isn't like I don't palette knives, but I just always seem to forget to use them lol.

gouache is more like opaque watercolor, except it can be reactivated after it's dry

@@SarahBurnsStudio Thanks, now I understand💛

Follow the supply link in the description