Why doesn't gouache come in pans?

#1 10-01-2009, 11:05 AM

Does anyone know why artist's quality gouache comes only in tubes, not in pans?

MichaelFraley · #2 10-02-2009, 01:46 AM

My first guess would be because of the scarcity of binder in quality gouache. Watercolour uses the same binder, gum arabic, but not as much pigment as several brands of quality gouache use. I'm no chemist, but there would seem to be something about having the pigment suspended "wet" in the gum arabic in tube colours that is "lost in translation" when applied to dryer, more concentrated pan colours. I think that it's much the same issue that many artists have when they try to re-wet a gouache colour that has dried on the palette - something is just lost there for some reason. I'm sure someone else here will have a more articulate explanation, but that's just my opinion.

aolaranora · #3 10-02-2009, 09:51 AM

It doesn't come in tubes only, but yes, it doesn't come in open pans either.

I think ,main reason is - paint is just not the same quality when you try to dissolve it after it dried out (what you will have in open pan)...

Do your own test -put some in the small tub/pan (or even just on pallet), let it dry, then try to paint with it. Too much pigment AND heavy filler what watercolor doesn't have, so paint acts different...

If you don't like to work with tubed paint for some reason ( I'm personally seeing lot of disadvantages of tubes), some factories in Europe DID make gouache in small tubs/jars, but I'm finding it very hard to get here, in USA...

If it would be my concern, I would use my own tabs for it, just like for home-made tempera, but currently I don't have a good set anyway, so I guess will think about it, if I get one. :-)

dbclemons · #4 10-02-2009, 10:27 AM

I think one major aspect is the volume of paint. Gouache is used best as an opaque viscous medium, but that can't be properly delivered in a "just add water" container. It certainly can be used that way, and easily made, but you're then using it like watercolor rather than gouache. I suppose it might be possible to rehydrate a dried pan with enough water to make it similar to what you could squeeze from a tube, but the paint handling is poorer, the volume of paint would be small, and very quickly used up if you wanted to apply it thickly.

BTW, places that sell products to make your own paints, like Natural Pigments, supply empty watercolor tins that can be filled with tubed paint. A full sized pan only holds 3ml, and the smallest gouache tubes hold about 14ml.

Deborah Secor · #5 10-02-2009, 12:39 PM

I agree with what both Tatiana and David point out. Reconstituted gouache behaves differently from rich, creamy fresh-from-the-tube paint. Both are useful, and certainly re-wetting dried gouache is one way of approaching the medium, but honey-thick gouache does something else entirely!

I've purchased some small plastic jars with snap on lids that are air-tight. I labeled the lids and keep them charged with gouache. During the course of a painting session the gouache dries somewhat (I live in a very dry climate, BTW), so when I begin my next session I add a dollop of fresh paint to the jars that I'm using. That gives me the convenience of carrying the colors with me, I don't waste paint, and I have both means of employing gouache, reconstituted paint giving a nice wash or fresh paint for more impasto strokes.

Deborah

giancarlo80 · #6 10-11-2009, 05:20 AM

Why do bananas come in skins??
I think the previous answers seemed to cover your question. reconstituted goache gives a different result.

aszurblue · #7 10-11-2009, 10:01 AM

I have two sets of watercolor pan paints that are labeled "Opaque". How are they different from Gouache tubes? I have often heard/read the term opaque used when referring to gouache paints, so whats up with that?

dbclemons · #8 10-11-2009, 05:41 PM

Gouache is often called "opaque watercolor" because of the density of the pigment load so that it will cover better than watercolor would. Watercolor is designed to be used in thinned washes and stains, but gouache used that way tends to be more grainy. "Bodycolor" is another older term for gouache which refers to the paint having more body or density.

Sennelier sells opaque watercolor gouache in pans as well as gouache in tubes, as do other companies. With some companies, there's not much difference. I have some tubed watercolors, and I sometimes can't tell much difference between them and gouache. With the dry paint, no matter how opaque the pigment may be, they still have to be diluted to be used.

aszurblue · #9 10-12-2009, 09:43 AM

Thank You David

barnest · #10 10-12-2009, 01:53 PM

if it's the high load of pigment, and the water just isn't getting through to break down binder...
then, if it does dry on your palette, you should be able to revitalize it with warm or even hot water, or try a more aggressive solvent like alcohol or gum spirits turpentine....? At worst, grind it a bit to break it down and introduce the solvent to more of the pigment & binder?

ArtSavesLives · #11 10-12-2009, 05:09 PM

Is there a best type of palette to use when painting with gouache? I have been looking into a couple of small porcelian palettes for use while painting . . . but like the idea of little containers that will keep the paint wet between sessions.

I use this (it's considered a sumi ink palette) when I am using only primaries in painting in watercolors (DS new gamboge, and W&N permanent rose and antwerp blue) and it is delightful . . . but kinda of pricey to buy a second one. So I am looking at the first one for use with my new primary mixing colors set of gouache!

ArtSavesLives · #12 10-12-2009, 05:12 PM

Oh . . .and I have been wondering if you can use retarder with gouache to keep it from drying so quickly? And can you mist it on the palette to keep it from drying out like you can acrylic?

groke · #13 07-23-2011, 02:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArtSavesLives

Oh . . .and I have been wondering if you can use retarder with gouache to keep it from drying so quickly? And can you mist it on the palette to keep it from drying out like you can acrylic?

Glycerin has worked for me

Deborah Secor · #14 10-12-2009, 07:40 PM

Dried gouache is easy to re-wet, barnest. It just doesn't work the same way when you RE-wet it as it does when it's fresh from the tube. I use it both ways for different looks.

I'm using three different palettes right now to try things out. I have the traditional enameled butcher's tray, which is wonderful when I want to put out all the colors I have (a couple dozen now) and really start mixing things up and playing.

I have this one:

It keeps the paint wetter for a longer period, especially when I use a little spongy pad inside it. It's great for taking to classes. But the wells of color do dry out in time and I need to re-charge the colors with little dabs each time.

And I have this one:

This is the one I plan to take out on location (in theory--haven't managed that yet.) The snap-on lids keep the paint as moist as in the tubes and the colors don't slosh around on the palette as in the one above, when wet.

They each have advantages and problems. I'm still new at this, so do check with others...but I hope it helps.

Don't know about retarder. If you spray the paint it can run all over the place, if given the chance!

Deborah

ArtSavesLives · #15 10-12-2009, 08:06 PM

Thanks, Deborah! It has been your work in gouache that has inpired me to try. I hope to combine gouache and pastel in the future . . .

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