EDITOR’S
NOTE: The staff at Wet Paint makes no secret of the fact that we’re
crazy about M. Graham paints. These highly pigmented and reasonably
priced paints are caringly handmade, using the high standards of the
paintmaker Arthur Graham. We’re happy to present this article
by Arthur’s wife Diana, which is a nice introduction to and clarification
of the differences between watercolor and gouache.
Watercolor painting, in the broad sense,
refers to all pigments mixed with water rather than oil. The historical
use of watercolor appears in cave paintings, ancient Egyptian temples,
Far and Mid East calligraphy, Renaissance fresco painting and locations
worldwide.
In early modern times, gouache (defined
as body color made opaque by the addition of white pigment) was used
for manuscript illumination and transparent wash only for coloring pen
and ink drawings. From these beginnings arose two distinct disciplines
of transparent and opaque watercolor techniques. Over the years the
two are woven into a history with periods when artists embrace or reject
their use individually or in mixed media application.
In contrast to the delicate and luminous effects possible
with transparent watercolor, gouache techniques of strong brush stroke
and direct application have something of the expressive characteristic
of oil color. Gouache pigments, when painted out, result in a continuous
film of appreciable thickness rather than the thin stain produced by
watercolor. The pigments and binders in watercolor and gouache are nearly
identical with the preparation being slightly altered, making the two
perfectly compatible for mixed media work.
Today’s artists are boldly experimenting with incorporating
watercolor, gouache, acrylic, pastel, pencil and ink producing pleasing
results. In addition to painting, various water-media is being used
in collage and calligraphy, where the addition of texture is required.
While many brands premix whitener into their gouache color, M. Graham gouache relies on high pigment loads to produce body and opacity, leaving the addition of white to the discretion
of the artist. All colors, with the same name, are produced with identical
pigments, whether watercolor, gouache, acrylic or oil, allowing a wider
range of opportunity in media combination or under-painting.
-- DIANA M. GRAHAM
You can buy M. Graham Paints here online by clicking on the links above.
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& Co.
Professional Watercolor at Wet Paint
