Why I paint with gouache
The opacity, the matte finish, the way it sits on paper — gouache has been my medium for years now.
Gouache is often misunderstood as merely opaque watercolour. To me, it is an entirely distinct material voice — it possesses a velvety matte surface that absorbs light rather than reflecting it.
Unlike oil, which carries an intrinsic gloss and depth of varnish, gouache sits upon the tooth of heavy cotton rag with tactile intimacy. You can see the chalky weight of the pigment, the subtle gradations where water carried the binder, and the sharp decisiveness of an opaque brushstroke.
In the studio, this medium demands both swift intuition and patient layering. Once dried, it invites a contemplation that is quiet, grounded, and deeply human.