5 Beginner Gouache Mistakes (and what to do instead!)

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It's only now that I can look back at my sketchbook with some of my first gouache attempts and spot some of the mistakes I was making and recognise why I was struggling with the medium. In this video I have summarised 5 mistakes that I was making as a beginner and what to do instead.
Let me know in the comments what else you might be struggling with in your gouache learning journey!
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For more real time tutorials and a more in-depth look into my painting process, feel free to check out my patreon. All tutorials come with a full voiceover (usually live as I paint) so you can paint along with me as I take you through a painting step-by-step. Browse the library of real time tutorials here: www.jesschung.com/patreon
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[@dxmkrew]

I was wondering why I’m so attracted to gouache art and the emotion that it can convey, and now I understand. The paint itself is moody, needy and temperamental.

[@ashleybangbang6807]

Lmao 😂😂

[@sweetpotato1632]

I relate to spritual level

[@jenUHviee]

Wow, sounds like I finally found the medium that matches my soul 😭😅🤣

[@marshallarts1376]

That’s such an interesting way to describe it; I never thought about paint like that

[@brittany6430]

guoache is just like watercolor but with sass

[@shellieruth7981]

Exactly!!!!

[@fusunseyma1875]

what is sass?

[@simpjaess]

@@fusunseyma1875 similar to being cheeky, but in this case it's in a good way

[@JenniferFunnellArt]

YES!

[@electro.dash.666x7]

Acryla gouache is regular gouache but stubborn

[@bloomindoom]

I noticed all of this while doing my first gouache painting last week. I'm naturally impatient and making mistakes didn't help lol. This is a great tutorial.

[@karistone1297]

Try working on more than one piece at a time...

[@labauer5314]

I agree! My short attn spam & anxiety caused me to be intimidated! This is a great, simple, informative tutorial!

[@dezs82]

i’ve been using gouache for a month now and i’m having a hard time working with colors. this video is very helpful for me! thank you! 💖

[@kaiyakaltio]

Mistake number six: this whole time I've been calling it goo-ash

[@tinaliu6033]

ive been calling it goo-chay

[@yanim7zu]

i've been calling it goo-ach

[@Lavrnjaa]

As a French speaker you can pronounce it “gou-ache” as long as the oo and a are softer sounds. Actually, pronounce it however you want, people can be real a-holes about art material pronunciations

[@sunrise_boulevard]

haha i had to google it to see how to pronounce it, but before i did that, i just wouldn't say the word lol

[@doyoueverfeellikeaplasticb2703]

i said it right the first time i think? i think because i was taking foreign language classes and learned how to pronounce words closer to it

[@pooggyy]

her: regularly mist your gouache, make sure it doesn't dry completely! me, with my completely dead n dry himi palette: uh about that..

[@lemmeyeetoutofhere5076]

If your "jelly paints" have dried out you can reactivate them by adding\spraying them with water and letting it sit for 10-20 minutes. I had a similar problem with my Arrtx jelly gouache pallet and this really helped

[@shiya506]

Jelly gouache is a little different in those terms. you can simply add water to the gouache let it sit, and then stir it, and you gouache will be back to normal in almost 1/2 ~ 1day

[@sabrinapalette6883]

seokgenie normal water or water that have chemical in it(?)

[@shiya506]

@@sabrinapalette6883 normal water

[@sabrinapalette6883]

seokgenie thankyou 🙏🏻💕

[@fwoop4848]

Beginner artist here! This was really helpful. I messed around with a acrylic for a while so the thing about lightening colors with water doesn’t really apply to me because in acrylic you use white, so I think I’ll have an easier time with gouache.

[@mynameismynameismynameismy4565]

I hate acrylic not gonna lie but they're kinda fun sometimes

[@amberdreams_0]

the explains a lot of the things I struggled with when I used to use gouache when I was at school. I was really stingy with the paint, and reused the same little cracked up dollops on my palette for years. No wonder it tended to be streaky LOL

[@dusting1497]

Wow I didn't know guoache was this complicated. I'm such a noob haha. Thanks for all these tips jess! 😊

[@maddiemawby6802]

I've been struggling with colour mixing with gouache! Especially when I use a picture reference or other peoples paintings as a reference for my own practice and trying to figure out what colours they mixed to achieve that specific shades

[@preciousmariepenuliar209]

KZbin! WHY DID YOU ONLY TELL ME THIS AFTER I FINISHED PAINTING!!!!!

[@azzahnafisahsofyan8300]

ಥ‿ಥ me too

[@JessChungArt]

Hi guys! In case you haven’t seen yet, the giveaway winner (from the last video) has already been announced in a community post. Thank you again to everyone who entered and left a kind comment :)

[@thomasgodar]

Was reaffirming to hear that you also go through a lot of white. I've gone through two tiny Titanium White's and I've been painting for a couple weeks. Great tips! Thanks for sharing the video.

[@leighlou5345]

I just got my first gouache set in (the big Himi one) and have been watching a lot of stuff to learn a bit before even really opening them all up and starting out, and this is definitely the most helpful and informational video I've watched so far. 👌🏻

[@JaneDoe-qg4hy]

I’ve been looking for the right how to for gouache, and this is the first one that’s been helpful. Thank you.

[@Maria-em4oz]

1. Use thick consistency when painting a layer over (& make SURE that the layer beneath is DRY so they won't mix together )

[@bridgetcampbell6629]

So helpful, and OMG your sketchbook is so beautiful. Love your work! It's so inspiring!

[@dristihandique9779]

Today was my first day with Gauche and I could literally relate everything you said!!! This video is helpful and thankyou so much ,I really needed this❤️❤️.

[@chrisr3185]

Thank you so much for this video! I'm currently working on a gouache painting for an art course, and your tips are super helpful!

[@Dalandanini]

I just bought my first gouache and it's gonna be delivered tom, so glad I saw this before using it!! Thank you so much and wish me luck hehehe

[@katrikinnunen8969]

I think that this video has saved my artistic ass. Those demonstrations that you did with the problems with gouache were so spot on, especially when I was struggling with mixing watercolor qualities with gouache in my painting process. Thank you! :)

[@loyaltheoristgirl1018]

Me: has watercolors Me: watches anyway, Im disliking watercolors...

[@poorbone2104]

Same I have 3 sets of watercolors but I hate them now because it's too long to do layering and the gouache you only Need 1 to 2 layers

[@shrakvinn2613]

@@poorbone2104 Wellp watercolors are transparent mediums thats why it takes a while to build up the color.

[@loyaltheoristgirl1018]

@@shrakvinn2613 yep I wasnt built for such patience. I think I know ehat I'll be asking for Christmas

[@rachelkelsey2885]

@@poorbone2104 33€🦇🦇🦇🦇

[@isaniart]

As an impatient watercolorist, may I recommend starting with bold color and then adjusting with more watered down layers? Working wet on wet with bold, saturated strokes gives you a nice base, and it will inevitably dry lighter. I know that I was never able to slowly build up thin layers.

[@emmakilani]

Wow this video is so informative compared to other videos I've watched. I feel much more comfortable trying out this medium now, thank you! ❤

[@anaghasharma7433]

Thank you for these tips. As a beginner I struggle with blending colors and layering.

[@joanne1867]

Thank you so much for these helpful tips. I have recently started to binge watch ur videos. Hope you have a great day!

[@Sarah-qp4yf]

the fact that i relate to every single thing she said in this video

[@shiya506]

i'm getting my gouache set later this week, so this was helpful. thank you!

[@kjlinger23]

I was about to throw mine out because I was so frustrated (I normally use watercolor), after watching this some of my mistakes make complete sense. Thank you!!

[@metakarukenshi]

Thanks for this mate. as a digital artist. I havent really worked in Traditional mediums in ages. and my only experience with traditional paints was watercolour. after getting some Jelly cup Gouache I tried out and had all these issues. Thanks for the helpful vid

[@colleenmcchesney1482]

Yes as I am just starting out with gouache, I am making all of these mistakes. I did figure out how the gouache dried differently from the watercolors. Thanks for sharing this informational video with us. ❤

[@loisstern6667]

I'm so glad I found your channel using gouache paint. I have never used it and want to try. I look forward to viewing your videos. Thank you!

[@srilekshmi9840]

as a beginner and a person who tried to teach myself gouache, i related to every single mistake mentioned 😂 but the advice helped so much!!! thank you!

[@pamadams9811]

A friend just sent me a set of gouache paints an I am terrified to use them. But this helped me a lot. I am proficient at water color, but I think I can do this, just.being patient and letting things dry will test my patience! Thank you for the video, It really helps.

[@KevinGilgan]

your double page spreads in your (what looks like) moleskine journal are super inspirational! Really grateful for all these tips and I hope one day i can make something pretty.

[@xvgarnet]

Thank you so much for this, I'm learning how to use gouache and I'm sure this will come in handy!

[@aceciliaq]

This is the best explanatory video I've watched, these are all the mistakes I've been doing. Thank you

[@MDCampbell]

Hello Jess! While preparing a new video for my channel, this video popped up in my "recommended" sidebar. Really enjoyed your delivery and the narrative you provided with the demos. These are such great tips, especially for beginners! I spent the 1980s working in gouache and gave it up when I went digital. Seeing the resurgence of gouache around 2015 or so has been so cool and videos like yours a so valuable, both for beginners and for veterans, alike! Thank you! ~ Mark _(by the way, this is a re-post of a previous comment. You have a troll named _*_dev null_*_ who continues to berate my comments when I post to you. Sorry about that)_

[@EmDoesArt]

This was a very nice video! I appreciate how simple and organized it all is. Very helpful 😊

[@victoriaw8605]

I just ordered a gouache set and this video was perfect. Thank you!

[@mickigarvey7608]

All very useful and so well presented and explained. Thanks from a total beginner 🙂

[@hotmonkeyfilms]

These are the best collection of tips I've seen. I paint watercolor so I treat gouache the same way. TOO MUCH WATER. NOT ENOUGH DRYING. You visually highlighted all of those "mistakes." Thank you so much!

[@dorothypearce8144]

At last some teaching available with paint I have loved for years and years. Thank you.

[@godislovedayany5098]

Omg this is amazing I’ve been looking into getting into gouache and This channel is perfect for it! Thank you 😊

[@AndreaMarquezz]

Thanks so much! I just got my gouache in the mail, I’ll be trying it for the first time 🥺💕

[@JessChungArt]

ahh so exciting!! hope you enjoy using it :)

[@Linda-qq5mg]

Thank you very much. Your paintings are beautiful!

[@leeb6459]

I just ordered some gouache paint and Im so happy I watched your videos before I try to use them :) thankyou for making these videos!

[@SteveSavage79]

Great video I for one learned you few mistakes I was making. Thank you for saving me many hours of figuring it out on my own.

[@bindipark3872]

This is the tutorial I have been looking for! I feel much more confident now. You have a wonderful speaking voice (I am Australian) and an easy manner.

[@alliah.00]

thanks for this!! I recently got my gouache and im ready to practiceeeee 🥺💗

[@kryssygee4814]

Good info! And great advice! Thank you for sharing your learning and experience!!!! 💜

[@gnostie]

This is a very helpful video, I also enjoyed the leaf-through the sketchbook.

[@kyla1080]

This is really helpful! I've started using gouache lately and I'm shocked at how the light colors I mixed got darker. I thought its an error in my mixing, turns out gouache is just that way 😔 thank u so much for these tips!

[@herlinasoekoer5403]

Thank you for your generous sharing with us! It very helpful really! God bless you

[@joseynoyb9467]

Thank you and you explain these basic concepts very well. Nice videos I enjoy watching

[@worldpeac3]

good tips and you have a lovely voice for teaching!

[@petermotta1623]

Great Work, thank you all the information !

[@mariamelkhayat2171]

Thank you so much for this! I recently started using gouache and this video was so helpful ❤️

[@andrewsart23]

Just bought a cheap travel set from 5 below and I’m so ready to get started. I’m glad it’s thicker than watercolor. I’m a beginner to it all!❤️

[@freetofly7017]

Jess, thank you so much for clear and many tips and advices! I learned so much!

[@Miss_Art_Lover7]

Omg ❤️ this helped me so much thank you I don’t really comment I watch ur videos but you are the best!

[@sammarino8743]

Thank you. You covered many of the things that make painting frustrating to many new gouache painters.

[@kylemuriell5983]

This is really helpful. I did most of the mistakes mentioned 😂 thank you will avoid them now

[@onethousandstars_8102]

Thank you for the video. I started using gouache few days ago and struggled a bit. This is going to be very useful.

[@natashat2702]

wow your art is amazingly real looking !!!!

[@hermitcollector]

Very very helpful, thank you!

[@kiddieplaytime101]

LOVE your sketch book at the end. Good work and thanks

[@sa8024]

I typically use the thin layers of reactivated paint to underpaint/"sketch" to help me sort out where I want everything to go, especially on a no reference/off-the-dome piece. As for the reactivated globs, I generally get them somewhat soft and mix them with fresh paint, either of the same color or a color I want to mix the dry with. I've been using arteza for over 3 years and haven't noticed any of the hard to reactivate little chips yet. Something I've found helpful with gouache and really paint in general is having a grayish palette, the colors feel truer to me than on white or black, recommend playing with colors to see what color palette you'd prefer. (Can not recc a glass palette enough tbh)

[@louisemissouri4410]

Very helpful, wondered some to play with and you gave me so much beginner info I needed thank you!

[@LevityLia]

Wonderful! This is exactly what I needed. Thank you thank you!

[@aannikahaafsa]

This was so helpful 😮 i did notice few of them while doing thank you for sharing

[@chaw.3062]

thank you so much for this video!!

[@duck7033]

Great vid!! Super helpful ❤

[@katherinekwon4074]

some of your techniques really remind me more of what I learned when I first started painting with acrylic. Then i switched to watercolor and I think I may have just found the in between of these two mediums.

[@tomekkarola5072]

I saw many "tips, tricks for beginners" videos and....this one is the best! Veeeeery useful, thanks

[@learodney918]

wow! that last painting with the mountains and field of flowers, amazing!

[@maryperrystone]

Very nice explanations. Thank you

[@nohasammoury4655]

I made all of them😂😂 Thank you for this videooo I’ll try my best to improve

[@JessChungArt]

haha it happens to all of us! you're welcome :)

[@kimreed33]

About to try it. Thanks!

[@avabear1694]

Thank you so much for this video! It was super helpful bc of the examples and everything - inspiring too!

[@sunandavaidheesh9217]

This was so helpful, thank you so much!

[@beliaafifah8395]

This is very helpful, thank you Jess!✨

[@cherylj.harris4967]

Much needed tips. Thank you!

[@allinn7778]

This really helps. Thank you!

[@kathyoh9713]

Thank you for these tips! Am new to gouache. Frustration with water to paint ratio is my biggest problem. Which of course makes it difficult. Just keep working with it, patience. Using miya himi mostly. Your art is beautiful, I enjoy watching you paint.

[@gnathp4497]

Me too I have that problem, I am using holbein gouache

[@KitsuyuutsuR]

Thanks for this! I just bought a set of paints to try this medium, but I’m a bit leery to try it because I’ve never used it before. These tips make me feel like I can give it a go!

[@misspetite9285]

Great video! Thanks for the helpful tips

[@Iamedsmum]

Thank you for these essential tips for beginners, Jess. Your excellent video will definitely ensure my newly-delivered 56 pot pallet of gouache beauty provides hours of fun. With huge thanks and best wishes - Marion in the UK

[@tasha5246]

Another really helpful video. Thank you so much!

[@SayantanAuddy]

Great tips. Thanks!

[@inesevieira]

this was really helpful! thank you!

[@mwaz47]

Important tips that will help with common frustrations when using gouache. Thank you.

[@beautifulangeltolife]

Thank you for sharing 😊 very helpful

[@scottwalker2398]

Hi Jess. Really enjoying your video's. This one will save me a lot of paint and time. Thank you.

[@stinar37]

So helpful. Thank you!

[@thaliagrace6631]

I am so thankful because I am working on gouache now, and these were the questions I didn't have any answers too, and as I do watercolour, I think they cam from that.

[@CF-on9xj]

Thank you, for this Video Christine

[@dcmv87]

Thank you Jess! This has been a helpful video!

[@nlv_arts8475]

Such a useful tips. Thanks a lot for sharing.

[@ShanaSephora]

Your images are so lovely in your sketchbook 🙌

[@Netashas]

Thank you soo much for this video 😊 I just started using gouache and I have been painting with watercolors for years