First Gouache Considerations

[brose]

I am venturing into gouache for the first time and find it a bit overwhelming, likely from overanalyzing the options. From what I have gathered, avoiding the cheap stuff is ideal to avoid a frustrating experience. This will mainly be used for versals, versal decoration, and broad edge ink.

Gouache under current consideration:

Holbein Artists' Gouache Set of 12, 5ml (~$50)

• colors: Carmine, Flame Red, Permanent Yellow Deep, Lemon Yellow, Permanent Green Light, Permanent Green Deep, Turquoise Blue, Ultramarine Deep, Violet, Burnt Sienna, Ivory Black, Permanent White.
• Seems like a great inexpensive way to try some out
• Full color palate leaves little concern for making colors
• Although small amount, colors actually used can be replenished

Holbein Artists' Gouache 15mL, Set of 5 Primary Colors (~$40)

• colors: Primary Magenta, Primary Yellow, Primary Cyan, Primary Black, and Primary White
• Like that it would make me learn color mixing. (and I would)
• Concerned color palate is limited with CMYK

Schminke Calligraphy Gouache Set, 12 color (~$180)

• colors: Burnt Sienna, Cadmium Yellow Hue Light, Chromium Oxide Green, Gold Pearl, Jet Black, Lemon Yellow, Madder Red, Opaque White, Paris Blue, Ultramarine Deep Blue, Silver, Vermilion Red.)
• Like the idea, but hesitant to spend this much, but could if warranted.

My current inclination is for one of the Holbein sets, but would love to hear any wisdom users have to share.

[Erica McPhee]

This is an excellent synopsis and you can’t go wrong with any of these. I was initially drawn to the multitude of colors but once I started working with color, I liked mixing my own. And even the cakes I have, I ended up mixing them with gray or brown to tone down the colors so figure I may as well start from scratch. As a beginner, it might be better to have a variety of colors to familiarize yourself with the process. It is probably more cost effective to buy a kit rather than individual tubes anyway. If they are about the same in price, you could just buy red, yellow, blue, black, and white and experiment with color mixing as well. 

[JanisTX]

I used the Holbein gauche more than anything else. I find it to be well-behaved and consistent from tube-to-tube.  The price seems about right.  Have you watched Erica’s video on how to mix gauche? It’s very helpful and it saved me from embarrassing myself by mispronouncing the word! 😃

Janis

[brose]

Update:
For anyone wondering, I got the Holbein 18 color set with 5 mL tubes. It is working very well. This 5 mL size is great since calligraphy does not use a ton of gouache. I wish they sold the 5 mL tubes, but I will probably just get 15 mL tubes as needed for the colors I actually use going forward.

Some things I learned (may be obvious to art people )

• Dinky Dips (smaller screw top) are great for using and storing gouache. Just leave it open to dry out when done, and adding deionized water back to it to use again.
• Having a proper brush helps sooo much with versals and designs. A Princeton Round brush 3050 series size 0 has been a game changer, from the brushes I was using that were either too tiny or too large.

Here is a happy outcome from my getting friendly with gouache.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cz1f84sOc6L/

on to gilding.....

[Erica McPhee]

Thank you for sharing that brush info. I need new good brushes. Your letter came out gorgeous. Nice and bright colors!

[tiffany.c.a]

Lovely decorated letter.