Gouache (from the Italian guazzo , "water
paint, splash") is a type of paint consisting
of pigment suspended
in water . Gouache
differs from watercolour in
that the particles are larger, the ratio of pigment to water is much
higher, and the presence of an inert white pigment such as chalk .
This makes gouache heavier and more opaque, with greater reflective
qualities
Gouache dries slightly lighter than it appears when wet, 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. " En
plein air " paintings take advantage of this, as do works by J.M.W.
Turner .
Modern applications of gouache depend upon these qualities for pragmatic,
rather than aesthetic reasons.
Most 20th Century animations used
it create an opaque color on a cell with watercolor paint
used for backgrounds, and gouache as "poster paint" is desirable for
its speed and durability.
