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Corridor in the Asylum, black chalk and gouache on pink paper by Van Gogh

Gouache (from the Italian guazzo, "water paint, splash") or bodycolor (the term preferred by art historians) is a type of paint consisting of pigment suspended in water. Gouache differs from watercolor in that the particles are larger, the ratio of pigment to water is much higher, and an additional, inert, white pigment such as chalk is also present. This makes gouache heavier and more opaque, with greater reflective qualities.^[1]

"Guazzo" was originally a term applied to the early 16th century practice of applying oil paint over a tempera base.^[2] The term was applied to the watermedia in the 18th century in France, although the technique is considerably older. It was used as early as the 12th century in Islamic art and as early as the 14th century in Europe.

A premiere, Anders Zorn

Self-portrait, Friedrich Schwinge

Gouache generally dries to a different value than it appears when wet (lighter tones generally dry darker, while darker tones tend to dry lighter), which can make it difficult to match colors over multiple painting sessions. This, combined with its quick coverage and total hiding power, mean that gouache lends itself to more immediate techniques than watercolour.^[3] "En plein air" paintings take advantage of this, as do works by J.M.W. Turner. Very few artists have painted a substantial number of works in gouache, though many famous artists have painted a small number of gouaches. Contemporary painter Laylah Ali's "Greenheads" series is executed primarily in gouache.

It is used more consistently for graphic works such as posters, illustrations, comics, and for other design work. For example, comics illustrators like Alex Ross use mostly gouache for their work. Most 20th Century animations used it to create an opaque color on a cel with watercolor paint used for backgrounds, and gouache as "poster paint" is desirable for its speed and durability.

One variation of the medium is gouaches découpées created by Henri Matisse, cut paper collages. His Blue Nudes series is a good example of the technique.

• Decalcomania

1. ^ Marjorie B. Cohn, Wash and Gouache, Fogg Museum, 1977.
2. ^ Mayer, Ralph. The Artist's Handbook of Materials and Techniques, Viking Adult; 5th revised and updated edition, 1991. ISBN 0-670-83701-6
3. ^ Adolf Dehn, Water Color, Gouache Studio Publishing 1955. ISBN 0-670-75110-3

• Aquapasto
• Examples of Matisse Blue Nude gouache decoupes collage
• Gouache from the Tate
• Demo of technique
• Painting gouache illustration
• NYU
• Info & history

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Gouache paintings