Arrtx Gouache Unboxing & Review ✶ some call it "jelly gouache"

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

****7 MONTH UPDATE:***** I have not used the paint since making this video. Why? Because I already owned dozens of high-quality artist tubes of my favorite gouache. Plus I prefer to paint outside with my travel palette. 7 months later, I attempted to open the tins. Here's what happened: ➤ 5 of them were completely stuck closed. I tried my best but they will NOT open. ➤ 2 of them opened fine, and are like new. ➤ 2 of them opened, but are completely dried inside. There is a ton of dried paint residue around the edge of the tin, so I can only conclude this means they didn't seal properly. ➤ They all have a very strong acrylic smell. Based on this, I do not recommend these tins. Too much fuss and waste. My suggestion is to either avoid them completely unless you are just dying to try them, but if you do buy them make sure to 100% clean every molecule of paint off the tin before closing, otherwise you'll get the same results I did.

[@elisacavaliere1446]

Thank you Sarah! That's good to know. I was checking comments to find your update really. I will go for few tubes of well-reliable, good old brands.

[@sueallen952]

I bought them and the day they came 4 of them would NOT open, I sent them back. I think they need to redo their packaging or they are going to loose money, they made a big error with these. Even with cheap gouche you painted a master piece wow

[@deedee2455]

Thank you

[@golden1789]

On a slightly different point, I have had my Arrtx Jelly Gouache for 4 years and much of that living in boiling hot Rome Italy. The trick is always, always water spray the jellies, especially for when you have finished using them - sometimes I add a drop of glycerine. I wonder if this might work for the tins...

[@МарияГлазкова-щ8б]

Dont know how relevant this is but you can put the jars in a hot water and wait

[@b.comeau2597]

Enjoyable video Sarah, Thank you! Am going to share with my 92 year old mom who loves to paint!

[@dryingshift]

Thank you so much for the review! These gouache paints seem like they might be nice if I want to just bring a few colors with me to my dorm, although on the other hand they still need a palette, so maybe there's not enough space haha. I think I'd be more inclined to get the set if it they had a version with like 5 or 6 colors. Once the paint is used up though, these tins seem like they might be good to bring around a bit of water to rinse brushes in, especially larger brushes considering the wide opening.

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

The metal tins are definitely reusable, and you could always mix your own colors once you have some extras..but I do wish they would offer individual tins not a whole set (I will probably never use the green or purple honestly)

[@CreatingCuteArt]

Beautiful painting! These look really interesting. I didn’t like the himi jelly gouache because it dried out but these seem like they’d stay wet better! Plus less plastic 🤗🤗🤗!!

[@Ms_Ink]

You still managed to make your painting on toned paper look incredible!

[@artjournalofjg]

I haven’t seen Arrtx gouache in tin cans before this. The packaging looks cute and somehow reminded me of Pan pastels. But, I think they could be messy to use with the containers left open. The last painting looks really nice for a test painting. 👍🏻

[@Jadeybez]

Thanks Sarah! This was a great review. I saw someone else review it the other day, but I wasn't really sold on it, so seeing it from your perspective was good too.

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ArtBrain]

Your paintings are lovely. From other reviews, some with lightfast testing of the Miya/Himi/Arttx gouaches, most of the colors are pretty lightfast. The exception are the violets, some roses and reds and any pastel that includes the afore-mentioned colors. Unfortunately, the same holds true with the pro-grade gouaches (including Holbein and Winsor Newton). They tend to use non-lightfast red pigments. And Holbein even uses a fluorescent in their violet. It seems crazy to me. Daniel Smith is coming out soon with a lightfast set of gouache that truly uses lightfast pigments, and it's the only one I'd trust for lightfastness. The professional grade gouache is phenomenally expensive when you fact in that you use much more of it than you do plain watercolor paints. I'm glad we have other options to play with.

[@juststartingover2735]

Excellent review. Thank you for comparing on both types of paper.

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

Glad it was helpful!

[@aliciamolloy5948]

Hi Sarah thank you so much for this review. Both your paintings were beautiful!

[@samlawsonhowells8827]

This was interesting Sarah, thank you. Will you revisit these periodically? I'm curious as to how they will last in those tins. The jelly cups are notorious for drying up and being tricky to revive like you said. I wonder how useful they would be to the casual artist. Love the dry brush on that toned paper.

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

My plan is to open them once a month and check..so I'll probably do a 6-month checkup video :D

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

@J.Shelby passions lists I’m not sure if they will make refill or more colors or offer individual tins but I did give them my feedback.

[@deborahmeyers551]

Thanks for Sharing Sarah I've never used gouache watercolours but this looks interesting your artwork is awesome💜

[@shirleyallen26]

I've just ordered these through your link. I loved the 2nd painting. I've developed a breathing allergy to acrylics so I am trying out gouache because I just have to paint but they are expensive and you use so much of it. I'm looking forward to trying these.

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

Have fun!

[@Lyvvie]

I prefered the second painting and will have a look to see if these paints are available in my area. Thanks for the honest review.

[@Lyvvie]

Can you believe I ordered these and then get a message saying they're returning them before they even left the USA. I have a big pout. I'll keep trying to find a supplier in Australia. I did get a different Arrtx gouche set to play with in the meantime.

[@adityashet2042]

I was waiting for this 🙂... those gouache looks awesome ✨..and the painting is amazing 😍

[@PaletteAdventure]

I honestly think the tin is unnecessary. I find it fiddly and imo, the paints still need to be scooped out to avoid contaminating the whole tin. The slow drying time is a con for me, just because I have no patience when working on layers haha but it could be good for blending. Thanks for sharing! Great painting at the end!

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

The tin solves a specific problem (the one I had as described), but creates another..less room on the desk.

[@PaletteAdventure]

@@SarahBurnsStudio True. I will also probably knock them off seeing how I drop things and flick my brush here and there 😂 Have you used poster paints? They are also a cheap alternative for gouache. They’re not lightfast though. Famous Japanese poster paints brands are Pentel and Nicker. Studio Ghibli use Nicker poster paints in glass bottles.

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

@@PaletteAdventure Yes I've seen them. I was tempted at one point to get them but I just lack the space!

[@hambot]

I've been so curious about these, the colors are unconventional but those colors are actually the colors i would buy for myself (maybe add a lemon yellow). Thank you for reviewing them, the textures on the second painting are so gorgeous! I'm curious, have you also tried holbein gouache?

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

Yes I started out with Holbein gouache. Great stuff.

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

@@SketchesnScrubs Arrtx has the same "jelly gouache" style set as Himi, that's how they got started in the gouache world, but I haven't looked into how it compares

[@jillc2700]

Interesting. Nice review. I have a small desk space so not interested in these at all. In regards to the toned paper I wonder if they would sit better if a watercolor ground hit the page first…

[@bella619]

I love the tonal paper sketch!! I haven't jumped into the gouche realm due to expense(just invested in oil pastels as a new medium); however, these might be fun to try. Thanks for taking the time. One question I have is how you think the paint would do cross dipping out of jars. Some acrylic allows you to do that, and it doesn't really cross contaminate. It could be fun to work on larger canvas since tops allow bigger brush..

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

It wasn't terrible for cross-contamination but the yellow and white will probably get the worst of it... I think you just have to do some maintenance once in a while haha

[@leuvaart4982]

wonderful piece

[@LunaBianca1805]

Lovely paintings, as always, especially the one on the craft paper, I love how the colours look on it 🥰 If I remember right, Lindsay from The Frugal Crafter did try these already as well and she said she really had to put them away and let them settle, because she had a lot of the paint sticking to her lids, too - I'd make such a mess on my desk with these ^^' Can totally get your gripe with not having a cool yellow, I'd probably miss a proper magenta and cyan as well - that would bring the selection so much closer to the colour selection in the opaque watercolour boxes I grew up with and find to be my comfort selection of twelve colours :) I kinda still like the selection and the mixes you made with them, they make for great landscape colours - I also like that the tins would be reusable when emptied other than those in tubes or big bottles which is a big big plus for me - they're just a tad big for my constantly cluttered paint and craft table ^^'

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

Yea so many pros and cons!

[@shahijan6654]

Waw beautiful 😍✨ it's calm and cozy.

[@karenmorris2913]

Thanks for this review, Sarah. Interesting. I did a quick search of the reviews on Amazon. I could only find 11. Seems like the biggest complaints are the packaging (people having trouble with the lids getting stuck on) and the limited pallet. One person mentioned that Arrtx is coming out with additional colors, but I couldn't find further reference of that. I wonder if one could scoop out the paints and store them in the plastic container like you use? If so, it may be worth the initial cost of buying the container based the long-term cost saving compared to buying bigger name brand gouaches. But, there's also the thing that you found that using Arrtx may be limited to use with cotton sketchbooks.

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

Yea I think the price is amazing for what you get...as long as you don't mind the rest haha. But it would be nice if they offered individual tins and more colors. I think because this is new the rest is in development.

[@NamsMArt-tl3hh]

Your style of painting is awesome specially dry brush strokes❤️❤️. Like always you tried to explain all pros n cons very well. I am only worried about mixing them with dirty brush and messing up whole container and loosing original colour.

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

That's always a challenge when mixing any paint! But if you are a bit careful it can be avoided.

[@JudeandherPencil]

Strange paints. I love all your moody earthy landscapes. So beautiful!! 💙👌 looks like a great student gouache. Something you could practice with without wasting paint. Those little screwtops would get tiresome. Great review!! Thanks

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

According to them they are professional grade (further testing required) but yea you can't beat the price for the quality if you want to practice with them

[@fuzzydragons]

ah the upside down meringue techniques used to test paint thickness lol 😀 great landscape scene 😀

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

Lol!

[@helenasalem380]

Thank you for this. I truly appreciate your input. Is gouache typically used for only sketching small or can it be used for a larger painting? Of course, putting the larger painting under glass. I too have tried the toned paper and I agree that it makes the painting “pop”.

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

You can paint as large as you want!

[@sprucehouse9]

Good review, but I'll stick with my tube colors. These raise many questions and suspicions about quality.

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

This is probably more useful for someone who wants cheaper paint for practicing

[@VitasArtworks]

looks very interesting and better than the himi gouache. there you have all colors open. here you can open only the colors you use :) thanks for the video :)

[@Skinnychelle48]

Pretty!

[@buahbuahanmalaysia]

I remember in one of your sketchbook tour vids, you painted a kinda Studio Ghibli scenery (beautiful painting btw!). It makes me wonder if this Arrtx set is used that way - vibrant, lots of bright green and blue - would it produce a better result than muted colour? Idk much about gouache, it's just something that popped up in my head since I see a lot of artists use jelly gouache to paint Studio Ghibli scene.

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

The key to Ghibli scenes is phthalo blue/green and pastels..you can do it with any gouache :D

[@amarin8600]

I was wondering this Gouache being on metal, is the metal tin? I've carried gouache on those Altoids tin boxes before and after awhile it would rust. I just wonder if that would be the case for this as well. I guess it also depends on how much water you dip in. 🤔

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

I guess time will reveal this answer.

[@goilo888]

The problem with buying sets like this is the fact that it not possible (usually) to buy individual paints. So, once you have used up one colour you are SOL and have to find that colour in another brand. I’m not buying one set to replace one colour. I did a quick search in a popular online store named after a rainforest and couldn’t find any.

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

Yup that was one of the things I mentioned to them and they said they are in the process of creating new colors and will eventually offer individuals.

[@sophieee_03]

I’m planning on making an air tight, wet gouache palette similar to the one you showed in the beginning of this video. Did you add anything to your paints to prevent mold? I’ve heard of people using clove oil or rubbing alcohol and I was wondering about your take. Thanks!(:

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

You can add a drop of clove bud oil to any colors prone to mold. And if you want to strengthen the binder (if you use a lot of water) you can add a drop of gum Arabic. A drop of vegetable glycerine improves flow for colors that dry fast (but use with caution as too much can also lead to glossy finish)

[@goilo888]

Spritzing with distilled water (cheap, large containers in your drug store) helps prevent mold.

[@catbraunwell6450]

Just curious: if you would normally squeeze a small amount of your normal gouache out on your pallet why would you not just use a pallet knife and put a little of this on your pallet as well and not leave the pans open all day or all afternoon while you paint?

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

If I were doing longer sessions I would close it - but part of the appeal of these (along with "jelly gouache" sets and poster paint jars), is to have easy access to the source without the need to refill the palette...at least IMO. And I was coming at this more from a "sketch" perspective, since that's what I would use it for. If I'm doing larger more finished pieces I would use my favorite gouache that I know and love and can rely on.

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

Also, these are less likely to dry out while open during a session than small blobs of paint on the palette.

[@XStephandOliviaX]

Never used Jelly Gouache It's a big thing from what I can see. I'm mostly watercolours or Fabric! LOL! 💚

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

That's because it's pretty darn cheap!

[@XStephandOliviaX]

@@SarahBurnsStudio haha! You right!

[@ChristinaTodd1970]

I tried painting the Hobbit house from your last video and it was so stiff. I can't seem to loosen up.

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

Just one of those days

[@SharonCullenArt]

I totally disagree with one of your final statements. Gouache in its early days may not have been meant to last but currently painting with Gouache they should last indefinitely just as Watercolors do as long as one is not painting with fugitive colors such as pinks and some violets.

[@sarahinscotland]

Exactly - "some" colors - that's the distinction. Everyone needs to do their own research if selling original art.

[@SharonCullenArt]

@@sarahinscotland but it is the same with watercolor. All research I have seen on it states that there is no problem with gouache lasting. I have been painting with gouache for years, on paper, wood and canvas and have never had a problem. So it is really no different than watercolor. I think people get caught up on its original use which was for designer’s illustrations where photos were taken and the originals thrown in the trash. But gouache like every other medium has come so far and does not need only to be sold in prints or used in a sketch book. I sell framed, and waxed pieces with no problems.

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

@@SharonCullenArt Gouache is wonderful and when used correctly (and choosing the right colors) can last a long time. Above all I encourage people to do research and learn from their experiences. No, It doesn’t only have to be sold as prints or sketchbook, as I said that is just common because the products are evolving and there is not enough long term data for anyone to know what the current products will do in 100 years (for anyone selling originals who cares about that). The spirit of my message is to research. Most of us have GREAT experiences with gouache and it lasts a very long time, but only when done correctly. Most of my viewers have little experience and therefore my intent is to make sure people don’t read labels as gospel. Handprint and Kim Crick and many others have proven that labels are not always accurate. Further reading: TL;DR- Longevity speaks to more than just lightfastness, due to gouache's ability to be indefinitely rewet, it is not considered “permanent” in that sense. Varnishing can cure this in most cases. You can't fairly compare watercolor and gouache directly because they are not the same, though they are very similar (for a fun deep dive research the topic on the wetcanvas forums). One is opaque one is not. They have different recipes and pigment particle size. But the beauty is they can be used together. However..Traditional gouache does not dry as a permanent film, and can be "rewet" even after drying - hence the need to protect the painting during and after completion (forever). To me that is one of the beauties of it! But caution should be exercised and care taken in sealing or framing the work of it will be sold as you mentioned. ---- More: Gurney posted a great interview with Winsor & Newton ( gurneyjourney.blogspot.com/2019/08/whats-difference-between-watercolor-and.html ) "What are the differences between Watercolor and Gouache?" Winsor and Newton says: “Watercolor and gouache are similar in that they both are made with gum arabic binders. Designers gouache is considerably more opaque and this is done by loading additional pigment. While most colors in gouache are opaque, some colors, mostly transparent pigments, are semi opaque. The artist doesn't generally need to add white to most gouache colors to achieve opacity. The only caveats would be that gouache is susceptible to cracking when applied too thickly and that both types of media remain soluble even when dry, so layering can be difficult and we don't recommend varnishing." Holbein, Inc: “The principal difference between Artist Watercolor (WC) and Designers Gouache (GC) is: Watercolor (WC) contains less pigment and more Gum Arabic, and Gouache (GC) contains more pigments and less Gum Arabic. As you know we (Holbein) are not adding any whitening agent to (GC) but we specifically choose (GC) pigments that are naturally matte. And in the comments of that interview, an artist who had been using gouache for over 50 years mentioned "I lost several paintings years ago (the ones on masonite) because they were varnished. I think it is because the varnish shrinks with age, and crumbles the gouache off the surface." So we can see that user experience varies a lot. I myself have varnished with cold wax and it’s “fine” but have I seen it in 50 years? No. Here’s hoping!! There is tons of info out there about varied experiences, here's another great source of info especially regarding the history of it: Handprint database ( www.handprint.com/HP/WCL/pigmt7.html ) "Many of these points [matte finish, quick drying] have caused gouache to be especially popular with architectural or commercial artists; some types of gouache paints are even labeled "designers' colors." The flat color fields photograph and reproduce very well, which makes gouache ideal for photo reproduction artwork. Gouache does not undergo a chemical change when dry and therefore can be rewetted and reworked, just like watercolors. And the more direct painting method and rapid drying times mean that a project can be completed relatively quickly. Because gouache is nearly ideal for illustration and photo reproduction, manufacturers have designed lines of gouache paint with more brilliant but fugitive colors (especially in the red, magenta and violet range). These colors display or photograph very well, and commercial art is not intended to last. But this means artists who use gouache for permanent artworks must exercise caution in their choice of paints. This is not easy to do. Even reputable manufacturers may not include pigment information or lightfastness ratings on the paint tubes, which complicates the task of avoiding fugitive colors. You must write to the manufacturer, or obtain a marketing brochure, to get the pigment or lightfastness information. Be sure that the lightfastness information is "in conformance with ASTM-D5067," the labeling rules for watercolor paints. If this assurance is lacking, the tests may not be interpretable or trustworthy. If no lightfastness ratings have been done, rely on the pigment evaluation in the guide to watercolor pigments." So once again, the responsible artist must do their own research as to their choice of paint, brand and color (IF selling originals), varnish etc and I always seek to make viewers aware of this.

[@SharonCullenArt]

@@SarahBurnsStudio oh goodness. Sarah I suppose I shouldn’t have said anything. I know that you cannot compare gouache and watercolor in the sense you are speaking of. I have done videos on it, as well as the differences in watercolor to gouache, and pigment size. I believe you’d have to go back a few years or go to my ply;it’s to see it. I also have referred to the same research you were speaking of in Your last comment. My point was only in disagreement to your sentence or two you referred to as used “often” for sketching or to make prints of. Hat was all I was talking about. I may have misunderstood your comment. To be honest I didn’t read all of your reply because I already know these hints you speak of as I have educated myself and made multiple videos on gouache in the past on my Channel. I’m sorry to have wasted your time. That wasn’t my intent and I’m sorry you took it that way. It is so difficult when writing for one to hear tone or inflection.

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

@@SharonCullenArt I don’t think I misinterpreted! I know you were just stating your side of it. I was just replying with as thorough a response as possible so you know where I’m coming from (and anyone else reading). I’m not bothered and didn’t feel like it was a waste of time. Trust me I LOVE discussing this 😅 if we ever met up for a coffee I’d talk your ear off if you let me. My own tone was very level headed and in fact I enjoy our discourse. You caught me mid-blog writing which meant I was already in word mode 🥲sorry about that. As long as you aren’t rude (you never are) I welcome discussion! (I think often in comments if anyone defends their statements it instantly comes across as they were upset but that’s not at all the case here, I always welcome healthy discussions)

[@lauraock9946]

The purple is made out of an orange pigment and a black pigment 🤯?!? Does that shock anyone else?

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

After mixing yellow and black and getting green, nothing shocks me!

[@nicholascaldwell6079]

It has to be a misprint - it says PO23, but funnily enough PV23 is Dioxazine Violet. I guess the black helps with the opacity? Makes me wonder about the other pigments though. Pyrrole Red is relatively expensive, for instance.

[@lauraock9946]

😅 true enough. I was swatching out all of my greens on my gouache palette and almost forgot to include black and yellow, sure enough the best olive green on my palette, way better than the tube of olive green I have. But it would make sense it’s a misprint, it looked like such a vibrant purple.

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

@@lauraock9946 I misread the first message 😂 yea I’m guessing it’s a misprint! In all my experience orange and black lean more toward Desaturated brown