Using Gouache paint with Pastels

I thought I would share this tip on using gouache with pastels.

So your 1st question is probably"why even use gouache?" and that is a good question, because at 1st it looks like just using black pastel would be fine. And it would if you could keep it clean. The trouble is with subjects like the one in the photo, is that it's almost inevitable that some black will smudge out into the lovely coloured areas, and if instead you saved doing the black until the very end, it might get dust on it too.

gouache paint and pastel

So, years ago, I noticed how this would be a problem when I drew spots and stripes too. It can be done, but you need to be very careful and coming from an oil painting background I like my 1st layers/underlayer to be quite free and loose, so I can concentrate more on the general colour of the animal and its shape and form rather than worry about smudging areas.

To solve the problem, I discovered that black gouache dried on pastelmat, and it didn't appear to alter how pastel went on top of it when dry. I could still put multiple layers of pastel on top of the Gouache! result!

I knew this was a game-changer for me, and I have used the technique ever since (no doubt people did this before I did, but being new to pastels at that time, I just never saw it done myself).

Q+APeople ask - Can I use something OTHER than gouache - Yes, black watercolour will work, acrylic will work, but if the paint dries shiny it won't, so test it 1st.

Can I do the same thing with white areas? - Yes, exactly the same with white gouache.

Is there a special gouache brand you use? Nope, any should be fine. I use the W&N brand - designers gouache.

How thin should the paint be? Thin to an ink-like consistency. Too thick and you will see brush marks and the paint won't flow, too thin and it blooms/spreads.

This video shows exactly how I do it - Gouache demo