How to keep gouache from DRYING OUT ✶ How I keep it wet while painting

[@catherinemaestro1577]

My husband uses the sta-wet pallette for painting his miniatures, and instead of using the thick expensive pallette paper, or the absorbant paper towel, he uses baking parchment paper. He swears it provides the right amount of water control.

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

Good to know! I had my palette paper left over from my acrylic days but when it runs out I'll try that!

[@Helvetica09]

YESSSS I needed this 😭😭 My goal this year is to use all the art supplies I have as much as possble (A lot of mixed media I hope!) and usually use a fine face mist bottle but the paper towel looks super helpful 😍

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

Awesome! Yea it definitely helps!

[@myrnalandersartist]

Ahh, brilliant! I have a whole bunch of that stay wet palette paper that i haven't used for years because i started oil painting. What a great idea to use it for gouache inside the mijello watercolor palette! Thank you!!!

[@chrisje8925]

This is so helpful! I started dabbling in gouache over a year ago but I keep getting frustrated again and again with trying to control the moisture level of the gouache on my pallet as I paint. You just took out so much of the frustrating mystery for me!

[@shrug_shrugsly]

Very cool!!! I’m just taking my very first tip toe steps to gouache and had NO idea there was so much to manage. I’m already intimidated by the himi non-sealing containers. Feels like once I open them, I have to use them all up instantly. -I’ve watched videos that told me that’s not true because you can just add water. But if I hadn’t just watched your video, I would know the dark sides of water’s lightening impact!! So. Lots to learn, thankfully you’ve gotten some of the lessons already learned. Thank you thank you ❤❤❤

[@SunnysEyes]

Never thought of this even though i have a stay wet pallet for acrylics! Thanks for the ever so useful tips.

[@bastian6173]

I have a stay wet palette with sponge and hydration sheets but never thought about using this for gouache. well... better late than never I guess lol! Thanks for the video!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I never think to use my stay wet palette with gouache! I need to try that!

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

It works sooooo well!

[@annabandana9889]

Oh. Wow. Your sketchbook is gorgeous and I am in awe 🤩

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

Thank you so much 😊

[@juststartingover2735]

Great idea using the paper towel! Thank you. Love your art!

[@riotjohnson889]

This video is an absolute lifesaver, seriously!

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

Awesome I'm so glad!

[@welcomecataclysm]

I know this video is old, but I'm wondering if you've ever tried Winsor and Newton's watercolor blending medium to keep it moist and slow drying time? I'm thinking about trying it.

[@miwagardner1353]

I was looking for the same and it seems to depend if you’re using designers gouache or acrylic gouache. A lot of these mediums are intended for acrylic gouache so I didn’t get the Turners acrylic gouache retarder although I’m Tempted to give it a shot anyway although I use designers gouache. 😅

[@janeylane87]

I love your sketch books! I would buy printed book editions of your amazing work 😭💕💜! Also thank you so the gouache tips I keep having this problem! Thanks again!

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

Yay, thank you!

[@EdricHsu]

Great tips, and I love your sketches! My main problem with gouache is actually the opposite: how to prevent the wet gouache paints in the palette from being too runny and leak out or mix with other colours when I bring it out for outdoor sessions...

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

What kind of palette is it?

[@EdricHsu]

@@SarahBurnsStudio I was using a sealed watercolour palette kinda similar to yours but smaller, but somehow it still leaked, and the colours had run and mixed into each other. :(

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

@@EdricHsu oh no that's awful! Mine has a silicone seal under the lid which is super important. Plus I added a piece of watercolor paper between that and the lid which tightens the seal even more.

[@EdricHsu]

@@SarahBurnsStudio Ah I see... I'll try adding some kind of sealant around the lid area and see if it works too.

[@sccrespoc]

Incredible useful. Thanks!!!

[@juliabroadley8411]

That's really useful thankyou so much

[@davidupton3186]

Excellent video. Very helpful. Thank you 👌

[@laurelcook9078]

I’m so tired of my paint drying up in 0.000000000000000001 seconds when I paint outside. I’m about to buy jelly gouache and move to the tropics or something where paint never dries out. 😂

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

“Jelly gouache” dries out too. Keep spray bottle and give it a spritz often while painting. Or if you’re desperate add some watercolor medium

[@roxsylinwatercolor8577]

Great tips!! Thanks for sharing

[@SharonH11100]

Thanks much for this. These were my fears before attempting gouache because I normally don’t paint fast.

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

You are so welcome! It definitely takes some getting used to.

[@Ale-pp9hq]

Thanks for this video!! It is super usefull!!! :D ❤️

[@chocolateicecreamlove8823]

I needed this today thank you!! :D

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

I'm so glad!

[@firefly1013]

LOVE THIS! Thanks so much. Which of these set ups do you generally use when painting outside-- the palette box or fresh from the tube?

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

If I'm not combining my watercolor & gouache (which is something I often do outside), I bring my palette box and a little tray (plus my tube of white). I prefer to use my 6x8 pochade box when I do this because it acts as a little table / paper holder.

[@firefly1013]

@@SarahBurnsStudio Thank you!

[@raceface_m2579]

I use a similar technique for painting miniature Warhammer figures. Basically use a wet paper towel and cookie sheets to mix on. Keeps paint wet.

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

Good suggestion!

[@JorjaZanetta]

Excelente!!!!

[@jackiegarroutte8970]

Thank you!!

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

You're welcome!

[@benspeeds]

Just stick to Winsor and Newton or holbein brand gouache for the long term sealed palette set up. I tried M Graham and it grows mold really bad and you end up losing the paint. Since removing the M Graham gouache I have had no mold for about 4 months. It's a shame because I love M Graham for the pigment load. I've never seen any brand of paint with such dense color but it's best used fresh from the tube on the sta wet palette sponge and paper set up.

[@lynnrush7166]

I had the same mold problem with my M Graham gouache. So painful 😣 to have to throw some of it away.

[@miwagardner1353]

My MG watercolor on my palette stinks like a bad fish bowl. 😅I guess it’s moldy too 😢

[@fidgetfrenzy3212]

I was hoping to know what to do when I put it away to keep it good

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

It depends if you have an air-tight palette

[@fidgetfrenzy3212]

@@SarahBurnsStudio I think I might it is a HIMI gauche palette from Amazon

[@fidgetfrenzy3212]

Btw thanks for helping me

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

@@fidgetfrenzy3212 I've heard those lids are mostly airtight, but some aren't. Any air-tight palette is fine, but you'll need to open, stir them, and maybe spritz with a tiny bit of water every two weeks at least (hopefully you'll be using them more often than that!) If yours is prone to mold, you can dry a drop of clove bud oil and mix it into those colors

[@DadBodDrumming]

When my gouache dries it is just like acrylic. It cannot be reactivated with water as its kind of like latex feeling at that point. I love the idea of the pallet paper on top of the sponge though

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

Sounds like you're using Acrylic gouache. Never let that stuff dry on your palette! 😬

[@omnesilere]

Traditional gouache, almost by definition, will reactivate. Sarah is right, you're using a matte acrylic, labelled acrylic gouache.

[@ptaylor4923]

I'm thinking this will help with casein which dries faster than gouache & even with casein emulsion has me pulling my hair out. The one thing I did notice was the HUGE difference in pricing. I can't get out of the house much and use Amazon Prime a lot. The same product can be $6.69, $10.99, $20.99 for the sta-wet paper or sponge. I even saw a combo pack for $69.00 😱 - So anyone shopping online like that don't just pick the first one. The next page over may have the same Masterson product for less... much less.

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

Good advice!

[@junktube4000]

Can you also put gouache paint in the freezer to prevent drying?

[@SteviePaints]

Thank you, Sarah. Question: in another video I saw that you had a bottle of gum arabic with tour gouache. Do you use it with gouache? I wish there was a way to make gouache appear less chalky.

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

I only add a tiny bit if I'm diluting the gouache a LOT. By diluting the gouache the binder becomes weaker. This isn't usually a problem unless I'm using puddles of water. To be on the safe side (for the painting to last decades) I add a bit more binder

[@romaisblooming]

Would the stay wet palette work for under your mixes as well, or does this add too much water to them?

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

I think it depends on how much water is in the sponge? So if you don't get it too wet it should be fine. I'd say it's worth a try! I find that if I cover my palette to save the mixes I can keep them fresh for a day or two but sometimes the excess moisture in the sponge will water them down a little too much. It's a constant battle lol.

[@romaisblooming]

@@SarahBurnsStudio , thank you! I have been wondering about this all winter, as I plan to spend the summer plein air painting.

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

@@romaisblooming heck yea!

[@SMazu-cl4uu]

Hello Sarah, why don t you use slow drying medium ? Thanks

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

I learned without it, so that’s just my workflow

[@miwagardner1353]

Arent these slow drying mediums for only acrylic gouaches?

[@nickorange4881]

Is it watertight ? Or airtight ? If it gets turned on its side will it be okay or Mix up in that Amazon pallets?

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

No, the amazon palette is not completely airtight. When I use the tray, I sometimes cover it with cling film for a night, but usually my piles of paint are gone after a day or two of painting anyway

[@kookatsoonjan]

hi Sarah, ...What about when you are using DRIED gouache paint in a palette and rewet it, like a watercolour palette?...I have dried gouache paints in a palette and use them like watercolour paints..not fresh like you do...you seem to be using gouache like acrylic paints, in a way...

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

What's your question then?

[@kookatsoonjan]

@@SarahBurnsStudio I use DRIED gouache..like dried watercolours...so ..I put water on them , like I do with watercolours..so very different from you that uses gouache like acrylic paints..FRESH OUT OF THE TUBE...you my question is how to use gouache DRIED IN a palette...thanks...Janis

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

@@kookatsoonjan just use it like watercolor in that case. You won't ever get 100% opacity though.

[@kookatsoonjan]

@@SarahBurnsStudio yep..they never look like opague acrylics...sadly...limpy watercolours...so the best way to get OPAGUE ..IS TO USE OUT OF THE TUBE FRESH...hmmm...ok...thanks...could you not get thick paint from less water..with a dried pan of gouache ??? I think I have exhausted the topic...thank you for your time..I guess I like the dried version of H2O + Gouache...dried...love your channel and the tips you post...have a great day over in Scotland...sun rising I presume...Darkness here @ 1:30 am March 23rd...best wishes... fro The Yukon, Canada

[@kstutz230]

The link to your supplies is not working.

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

Try this fearlessbrush.com/my-favorite-art-supplies/