Indian Red S1 Daniel Smith Extra Fine Gouache 15ml

Daniel Smith Extra Fine Gouache is a professional-grade water-based paint known for its vibrant, opaque matte finish.
Launched in late 2022, this gouache is formulated using high-quality pigments and gum arabic, similar to Daniel Smith’s renowned watercolour line.
The formulation includes a higher pigment load, which enhances density and opacity without the need for whites or fillers, making it suitable for various artistic styles, including abstract and representational art.
Opaque Finish: The gouache dries to a velvety matte finish, ideal for artists seeking rich, solid colours.
Versatility: It can be applied directly from the tube for bold applications or thinned with water for softer effects. Artists can also mix and blend colors to create custom shades.
Colour Range: Daniel Smith offers a variety of colors, with 22 available shades, of which 17 are single-pigment colours. This ensures vibrant mixtures and minimizes muddiness in colour blending.
Rewettable: The gouache is designed to rewet easily, allowing artists to revive dried paint for continued use, making it convenient for palette work.
Lightfastness: Most colours are extremely lightfast, ensuring longevity in artworks, although some colors, like certain yellows, may fade in tints.

Can I mix Daniel Smith gouache with watercolours?

Yes, you can mix Daniel Smith gouache with watercolours. Both mediums share similar ingredients, primarily pigments and gum arabic, which allows them to blend well together. When mixing, it’s recommended to use a high-quality white gouache with watercolours to create an opaque layer, similar to using gouache alone. This approach can be a cost-effective way to experiment with gouache if you already have watercolours on hand.
While mixing, keep in mind that watered-down gouache behaves like watercolour, but it generally has a thicker consistency. Therefore, it’s advisable to practice mixing to understand how the two will interact on your palette and paper. Using a combination of both can enhance your artwork by allowing for varied opacity and texture.

What are the benefits of mixing gouache with watercolours?

1. Increased Opacity
Adding white gouache to watercolours creates a more opaque, matte finish. This allows for better coverage over dark colors or mistakes, making it easier to correct errors.
2. Vibrant Colours
Gouache contains a higher pigment load compared to watercolours. Mixing the two mediums results in more vibrant, saturated colors that maintain their intensity even when thinned with water.
3. Versatility
By mixing gouache and watercolours, artists can achieve a wide range of effects, from transparent washes to opaque layers. This versatility expands the creative possibilities in a single painting.
4. Cost-Effective
If you already own a set of watercolours, mixing in a small amount of white gouache can provide a similar experience to using gouache alone, without the need to invest in an entire gouache set.
5. Rewettability
Like watercolours, gouache can be rewetted even when dry, allowing artists to revive dried paint for continued use. This makes it convenient for palette work and enables easy corrections.

However, it’s important to note that excessive mixing of gouache and watercolours can lead to muddiness, as the gouache may lift lower layers of paint when rewetted. To avoid this, it’s recommended to use a limited amount of gouache and to avoid overworking the paint.

What are some common mistakes to avoid when blending gouache and watercolours?

1. Starting with the Wrong Medium
Begin with watercolours and layer gouache on top. If you start with gouache, the watercolours may reactivate the gouache beneath, leading to muddiness and difficulty in layering
2. Overly Wet Brushes
Using brushes that are too wet can cause gouache to lift and mix with watercolours unintentionally. Aim for a damp brush rather than a soaking one to maintain control over the paint application
3. Ignoring Drying Times
Gouache takes longer to dry than watercolours. If you apply watercolours over wet gouache, they may blend in ways you don’t want, resulting in unexpected colour mixing or loss of detail.
4. Inconsistent Consistency
Maintaining a consistent paint thickness is crucial. If gouache is too diluted, it behaves more like watercolour, losing its opacity. Conversely, too thick a layer can lead to cracking or uneven texture
5. Using Incompatible Papers
Using the wrong type of paper can lead to issues like warping or poor paint adhesion. Watercolour paper is ideal for both mediums, whereas mixed media or printer paper may not hold up well under the moisture from gouache and watercolors
6. Neglecting Colour Mixing Dynamics
Be cautious with colour mixing, as gouache can overpower watercolours due to its higher opacity. Always test your mixtures beforehand to avoid overpowering lighter colours with darker ones.
7. Not Practicing Enough
Many artists give up too quickly when they encounter challenges. Regular practice with both mediums will help you understand their interactions better and improve your blending techniques

By being mindful of these common mistakes, you can enhance your experience and results when working with gouache and watercolours together.

Compatible brushes:

KUM Memory Point Artist Brushes
Dynasty Black Silver Brushes Series 4900
Dynasty Kalel Brushes