What does gouache mean?
Gouache is an opaque, water-based painting medium made by combining pigments with water and gum arabic, a binder traditionally obtained from acacia trees. Unlike transparent watercolor, gouache conceals whatever lies beneath it and commonly dries with a matte or slightly textured surface. Its controlled consistency makes it especially useful for illustrations, design work, fine art, and richly colored miniature paintings. The same qualities that allow broad, flat areas of color to remain distinct also permit careful blending and delicate brushwork. Although gouache resembles watercolor in its use of a water-soluble medium, its greater opacity and body distinguish it clearly. The term can refer both to the paint itself and to the method of working with it. Gouache has long been associated with book illustration and editorial artwork, and it remains popular among artists seeking vivid color without the transparency of conventional watercolor.
nounAn opaque, water-based paint traditionally made by mixing pigments with gum arabic and water. The term can also denote the technique of painting with this medium.
- An opaque, water-based paint traditionally made with pigments, water, and gum arabic.
- The technique or style of painting with gouache.
"The illustrator covered the initial pencil sketch with broad strokes of opaque gouache."
"She laid a broad field of lemon yellow over the sketch in gouache."
"The album combines pen-and-ink drawings with miniature gouache landscapes."
The plural is uncommon and usually refers to individual paintings; the paint itself is normally treated as a mass noun.
"The exhibition displayed small gouaches of boats and gardens."
Think of gouache as watercolor’s bolder cousin: gum arabic transforms translucent washes into rich, opaque fields of color.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Words that share this root
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How gouache is actually used
Gouache is principally an art term. The paint is usually treated as a mass noun, although the rare plural gouaches may refer to individual paintings. In British English, body color is sometimes used as a synonym.
Easily confused with gouache
Gouache uses a gum-based binder that makes the colors opaque, whereas watercolor is transparent and allows light or underlying layers to show through.