Gouache (pronounced gwash) is an opaque water color paint. Traditional watercolors are transparent. You can see through the painted layers...the color of the paper and lower layers of paint affect the layers painted on top. Gouache, on the other hand, is solid. Layers can be built up. The surface is matte finish when dry. Gouache has been used traditionally by graphic artists to create posters and commercial designs. It is likewise excellent for student work. Gouache is diluted with water, so brushes and other painting materials can be cleaned easily with soap and water.

This complete set contains two quality Reeves watercolor brushes, a drawing pencil and a soft, kneaded eraser, and three small illustration boards (any sturdy white drawing paper can be used for gouache paintings, but the smooth illustration boards will give the student experience with the "professional" surface used by gouache artists). A sturdy plastic palette contains 6 mixing wells for creating various colors and hues.

Ten tubes of gouache paint are included, each certified AP non-toxic for safe student use. Colors in the set are White, Lemon Yellow, Medium Yellow, Crimson, Blue Lake, Ultramarine Blue, Emerald Green, Yellow Ochre, Burnt Sienna, and Black.

An illustrated, instructional booklet is included with the set. Our handy and comprehensive Artist's Manual has a section on gouache (along with all other standard painting and drawing materials).

For additional instructions on how to paint with gouache, you may wish to visit this handy on-line lesson: Gouache : An Introduction to Opaque Watercolor by Sharon Himes.

See also the Oil Painting Set,
the Watercolor Painting Set,
and the Acrylic Painting Set

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