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Gouache Paints
Gouache is an opaque, water based paint. It consists of pigment mixed with gum arabic and white. This addition of white to the paint allows the opacity of the paint. Good gouache is highly pigmented while lower quality is more infused with white. Another name for gouache is body colour.
A form of gouache was used as early ancient Egypt but gouache was first used in Illuminated manuscripts in Medieval times. Albrecht Dürer popularized the media in the 16th century, layering up small strokes of color, often along with watercolor. In the 18th century, Paul Sandby used guoache extensively and later the Pre-Raphealites and then the Impressionists utilized the media.
Gouache is a similar composition to watercolor but is opaque. It is lightened by adding white, not water, and is not waterproof when dry. Gouache is often used along with inks and watercolor.
Illuminated Manuscript; Hours of Catherine of Cleves; 1440; watercolor with gum heightening, gouache, over graphite underdrawing on slightly textured, thick, cream wove paper
Albrecht Durer; Hare; watercolor and body color, with white body; 1502
Paul Sandby; The Westgate, Canterbury; 1783; gouache and graphite on thin paper mounted on panel
The above images are in the public domain.
Some sites with history of gouache:
Art History: Gouache
Gouache and Body Colour
Gouache Hints and Tips
Wilkerson Gouache
Some tips and techniques about gouache:
Ralph Parker Gouache Tips
Winsor & Newton Understanding Gouache
Paint With Gouache
How to Paint with Gouache - YouTube
Some artists of the past who worked with gouache:
Iran Chamber: Iranian Miniatures
NGA: Manuscript Project
Wikipedia: Book of Hours
Metropolitan Museum: Francois Boucher
Metropolitan Museum: Gouache Painting
Some contemporary artists who work with gouache:
Mikela Prevost
Thomas Paquette
Denis Mayer Jr
Deborah Secor