How to keep Gouache from DRYING TOO FAST - How to keep gouache moist longer

[@frances3254]

Another Generous sharing from this super painter, thank you, thank you! Please note, Ms Rivo's online Gouache course. It's packed with information and feedback is very helpful and encouraging. I've nearly finished the course and highly recommend ! It was my first experience with gouache and love it, colors so bright and beautiful. Happy painting all. PS Ms. Rivo played no part in my comments!

[@LenaRivo]

Thank you so much, Frances ❤️

[@username58482]

Wow, where to find it?

[@frances3254]

I think Dick Blick but maybe Jerry's Artarama. I couldn't find it locally here in Albuquerque. Happy painting to you.@@username58482

[@christinehuszagh4456]

wow, that is going to make it so much easier to keep a good consistency of the paint without it drying immediately on the palette. Thank you, I am so glad about this!

[@ValentinaVaccotti]

Well, I was today years old when I learned there is a watercolor medium. Thank you so much! I love your work.

[@LenaRivo]

Please, share the video if you find it helpful. Thank you! 😊 I couldn't include all the useful information about the blending medium in this video because it would have been too long, but if you want to learn more about the medium, its applications, advantages, and its alternatives please make sure to read the blog post at the following link: www.lenarivo.com/blog/2022/2/16/gouache-dries-too-fast-the-struggle-is-over#retarder

[@janabouc]

THANK YOU!!!! Do you use this to enhance blending as well?

[@LenaRivo]

@@janabouc Yes, it makes the blending of colors on the paper easier.

[@Mrshues888]

Thank you so much!

[@NgaNguyen-pc4nr]

Thanks Lena! You're one of the most productive and generous artists I've known ❤️

[@koriabdouch3589]

Perfect timing! Thank you, Lena, as always for your updates and thorough information!

[@LapsTaps]

Thanks so much for this! I've been doing watercolor for years but I've really been wanting to break into gouache but I was worried about waste from the paint drying out. I'll definitely be looking into this method when I finally bite the bullet.

[@cari_iii]

I just discovered your art and channel. I am a new gouache painter who always gives up and goes back to digital or plain pencil sketches because gouache can be so tricky. This is such valuable information, and being able to see your process videos as well is immensely helpful. I just want to say thank you for supplying so much information for free to us; it's so helpful and inspiring and makes me really look forward to working with gouache again!

[@LenaRivo]

I am very glad you found this information helpful 😊 Thank you!

[@carolwilliams3599]

Thank you so much for this tip. It should really make my "Gouache life" a little easier. Now I am going to read your blog post.

[@annandgerry5259]

You are so generous, Lena! Thank you for that extremely valuable information - as always clearly explained and demonstrated. It will help a lot when we're painting the the dry Sierra environment. You are great. Many thanks!

[@LenaRivo]

I am very glad this was helpful, Ann!

[@CupcakeCottage]

Best art instructor ever!

[@GuenevereSchwien]

That was very helpful. I don't like gouache as much as oil because it dries so fast, this makes me want to give them a try again!

[@passion2paint]

This video came just in time! I recently purchased gouache paints and tried it one time. I became very discouraged at how fast the paints and color mixes dried on the palette, even with spraying water on them. Now, I feel encouraged and will continue to happily use them!

[@itscyoo]

My mind is blown! I've never heard this tip before and it looks so promising, and I especially love how you put white in a separate bottle for use.

[@LenaRivo]

😁 I am happy it was helpful!

[@katrinadanilenko7223]

Brilliant Lena!

[@SabsYt]

This is so helpful. I have been searching for ways to extend the drying times of gouache, especially for my drier paints. Thank you for this video

[@briantaylor6565]

Thank you Dear Lena. You gentle spirit and great talents are very inspiring to us!

[@LenaRivo]

Thank you, Brian 😊

[@ms.marvelous7019]

Never knew that watercolor medium was even a thing .. thanks for sharing this tip and your lovely art ❤️

[@ahaggerson]

Lovely video with amazing tips! The images of you painting inspire me to paint and try out this medium! I can’t Believe how clear and easy to follow this tutorial is! So wonderful

[@LenaRivo]

Thank you so much, Anne! I am glad you enjoyed the video and found it helpful! 😊

[@gillinacook1477]

Yes, going to order myself a couple of bottles. Thank you soooo much for sharing this. I’m excited. This should help not waist paint.

[@ruthballard1550]

Beautiful and very helpful video, especially for an Arizona desert dweller like myself. I subscribed. Thank you!

[@priyajoshi2323]

just the information I needed, perfect timing! Thank youu, and your work is a delight to see as always ❤

[@cammartin1533]

Thank you for such a comprehensive evaluation of the product and the techniques it can support. You anticipated and answered all of my questions in the course of this presentation.

[@LenaRivo]

I am glad it was helpful! 😊

[@SharonLynnWilliams]

Wow fantastic info Lena! You are wonderful and generous

[@shattuck29]

Thank you so much! I will much prefer this method than using water. Now to find the medium!

[@cynthia-br2zb]

I love you. I had a bottle of this stuff sitting in my office for months lol

[@krulewna782]

Super useful video! Thanks Lena! Amazing tips and explaining.

[@PaulaJoW]

Thank you. Very helpful information.

[@joanzivi7425]

This is a fantastic bit of information - thank you Lena, for sharing!

[@LenaRivo]

I am glad it was helpful, Joan!

[@joannehopperstudio]

Thank you very much Lena - this is fantastic information! So helpful here on Maui!

[@mariaramsdale6179]

Very useful information! Thank you, Lena ☺

[@michaelm8172]

Very helpful, thank you for sharing this . At this time of year in Canada and as we spend a great amount of time indoors in houses heated by a forced-air furnace, the air is quite dry and this is a problem that causes a great deal of frustration with using gouache. I will definately try this medium. Thanks again.

[@mirtaxiomelyssandin2001]

Thanks Lena for this amazing tips. 🙏🏾👌🏾☺️

[@KMayflower]

Oh my gosh Lena, such a great tutorial! For anyone who hasn’t taken Lena’s course it’s very much like this with great video quality and it’s just done so intuitively. I learned so much and the course answered every one of my questions. I was struggling with blending and I now know how to blend gouache so much better,. Not like Lena… but better😛

[@LenaRivo]

Katie, I am so glad this tutorial was helpful to you and that you are enjoying my online course! Thank you so much! ❤️

[@petermot645]

Thank you for the great tip. It’s so nice of you to share. Happy painting !

[@LenaRivo]

I am glad it was helpful, Peter! Happy painting to you too!

[@KathyChristieNews]

Thank you so much! I live in a very warm, dry place, and my gouache dries almost instantly. This should help a lot!!!

[@marciaquintela5012]

Thank you Lena!! Very helpful

[@Lauragld]

Wonderful demo Lena....I will have to give it a try ☺

[@berolinastrassmann]

Thanks for this tip. Sounds wonderful. Plus, i never thiught about using that medium for this purpose.

[@annhydeArtist]

Thank you Lena, this is really helpful.

[@colleenmcchesney1482]

Wow that’s great 😃! I have not tried or heard about the Winsor & Newton Medium before. Thanks for explaining & sharing this with us. 😃💕

[@LenaRivo]

I am glad it was helpful, Colleen!

[@t.m.rudavsky7620]

this is terrific! thank you for alerting us to this product. will it work as well with straight watercolor paints?

[@LenaRivo]

It will! 😁

[@t.m.rudavsky7620]

@@LenaRivo thank you. a game-changer, since i've been struggling with this aspect of gouache. love your course; your ebooks; and the painting i purchased!

[@LenaRivo]

@@t.m.rudavsky7620 thank you so much, Tamar! ❤️ This medium is really a game-changer for us! 🤩

[@faisaltariq_artist]

Wow!!!! The Queen of Gouache with a fantastic tip. Thank you for your generosity❤️

[@LenaRivo]

😂 I am glad you have found it helpful, Faisal! ❤️

[@caseylin1296]

Wonderful!! Ty for sharing!

[@graostro969]

Thank you, Lena! One can always learn something new from you, great! And I just always love to see all your settings & equipments - event the umbrellas of different size for different shadow/sunlight situations are impressive! Um grande abraço a Portugal 🤗💚

[@LenaRivo]

You are very sweet, Grazyna ❤️ I am happy you enjoyed this video!

[@carrillostudios9420]

I really appreciate the practical information! Thank you for sharing to others💕💕

[@RobertHopkinsArt]

This is awesome!!!

[@SereneStudio]

Wow! Thank you so much for this- and a way to carry white gouache not in a tube- amazing!! 🙌🏿

[@gigi8254]

This is very useful thank you

[@Angie_flores]

Omg thank you!! I just tried out your color palette from your tamplet and was having this problem, thanks so much

[@TheMunchjones]

This is amazing information thank you so much. I love in hot Australia and whilst I love painting with gouache, I’m reluctant to do larger paintings because I can only use once the gouache wet in one sitting. This is a game changer for me. Thank you so much for sharing

[@LenaRivo]

I am very glad it was helpful, Nicola!

[@artbyeliza8670]

Thank you for this Lena. It's hot here, and I have the air conditioning on most of the day and drying out was a problem. I went straight to the art supply store and bought a bottle!

[@KensacART]

Very helpful! Thank you.

[@nadinek6693]

Thank you for sharing this valuable information! Still working on the lessons in your workshop and loving it!

[@LenaRivo]

So glad this was helpful to you, Nadine! 😊

[@nikkip3567]

Thank you so much for this tip! I've been giving it a go and it's helping my gouache stay wet in my travel palette with out developing much of a film. I keep a small dropper bottle filled with blender medium and mix my wells every few days. The gouache is still very creamy and no films yet. I find the Transon 24 well palette works way better than the 16 well palette too.

[@LenaRivo]

Thank you so much for letting me know that this method has been working for you! I am glad to hear that! I also like the 24-well palette much better than its smaller version.

[@Elisa-xm5ii]

Wow thank you for sharing this! I'm.only just getting started and figuring out what I need and This is certainly on my shopping list!😂❤

[@artistupnorth2013]

Oh Lena!! This is fantastic!! I’ve finally gotten back to painting again and have been struggling with keeping paints from drying so quickly since the air here in Alaska is so dry and our homes are heated too. You are amazing as always!! Thank you!!❤️❤️

[@LenaRivo]

Glad it was helpful, Betty! ❤️

[@DanielBerberich]

This is super useful information! You could probably also put all your colors into those bottles for maximum portability

[@LenaRivo]

In that case, I would have to carry 24 bottles with me and squeeze all the colors on my palette before starting to paint :) I am glad this video was helpful to you!

[@natalykenny2069]

This is fantastic, thank you!!!❤

[@docSM]

What medium is that?

[@KarenMcLain]

Thank you for the great tip. I will be able to expand my ability to use gouache!!

[@marktuck7752]

perfect! thank you for this tip!

[@claritzairosario68]

Thank you! Very innovating medium!❤❤❤

[@Julie8000]

Thanks for sharing this tip. Can’t wait to try it.

[@AustinArtist]

Thank you

[@MyLifeInTheDesert]

What about the stay wet palettes ?

[@maymaynaja]

Thank you so much. This is so helpful!

[@alejandraingrassia300]

Thank for the tip! Very necesary! ❤

[@alenawheeler1385]

Спасибо за нужную информацию. Впрочем , любая ваша информация для меня как любителя-новичка, мной востребованна на 100%. Успехов Вам в вашем творчестве и вдохновения, Лена.

[@LenaRivo]

Спасибо большое, Алена! Я очень рада, что вы находите информацию, которой я делюсь, полезной 😊

[@karensliwinski1243]

Thanks for this info!

[@jaquelinedeponce5251]

Thank you for the great tips!

[@tericarter2886]

Thank you great --thank you

[@eleanormaclean4004]

Such great advice; thank you for this video!

[@LenaRivo]

I am glad it was helpful 😊

[@randominternetuser2]

Very helpful video, thank you!

[@bellaartworld]

Hi, Lena! Thank you so much for your tips. I wonder if it works with Acryla Gouache such as Holbein?

[@LenaRivo]

Yes, it does! Glad this information was helpful 😊

[@bellaartworld]

@@LenaRivo so glad I found your video, it’s really helpful! Thanks so much 💖

[@vincentmonet6172]

Perfect!!! You’ve made my day 😅

[@sherion80]

Thank you, Lena! Cool tips!

[@EdTerpening]

This is great information, thank you Lena! I do have one question: why isn't Gum Aribic used to reactivate drying gouache? It's the binding medium for the pigment, so I would think you'd add that. Cheers!

[@LenaRivo]

Hi Ed! This medium is used not to reactivate drying gouache, but to slow down the drying time of it. To reactivate dried out gouache you can use water, there is no need to use gum arabic, but if you want your gouache paints to dry slower on you palette this blending medium (which is basically pure propylene glycol) is the solution 😉

[@BeansInThePark]

Thank you so incredibly much for sharing this! It has helped very much with my gouache ❤️ you are wonderful!

[@LenaRivo]

I am so happy this video has helped you with your gouache! 😊 ❤️

[@JaredCullum]

Wow! I can’t wait to try this!

[@ainadanai1204]

Thank you very much for sharing this!

[@martelvonc]

Thank you for the information. I am just starting to rescue dried up gouache that I was gifted.

[@elisewarren9647]

What colours are in your palette? Lovely video by the way!

[@regisrodrigues1973]

hello ! Thank you very much for the quality content shared in this video! I would like to know if this product leaves the end result with a shiny finish

[@LenaRivo]

No, it evaporates completely from your painting leaving its surface matte :)

[@Cabingirlandrandomcrap]

Fantastic! Thank you!! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@marywilliams9709]

Any suggestions on how to clean the palette box you use if the paints are hardened and dried out? Thank you

[@LenaRivo]

Just spray them generously with water and leave under the closed lid overnight. In the morning, use toothpicks to stir the paints and they will become fresh again.

[@marywilliams9709]

Thank you so much I will try that tonight :) @@LenaRivo

[@ronnywhite3442]

What a great tip and explaination. Will have to try this. One question. After adding medium to paint, can adding water for washes affect it?

[@LenaRivo]

Yes you can, Ronny. This medium acts just like water. It only evaporates slower.

[@judyormshaw3293]

I was using my himi gouache today and struggling a bit for sure. I paint an my Canadian sunroom, it’s winter and I use a space heater so it has been drying quicker than using. I’ll get some of this and give it a try. Thanks!

[@goilo888]

I love this tip. Have you ever used vegetable glycerin to achieve the same results? I know it works because I've tried it. I just haven't tested it as extensively as you have with the medium. I'll have to make some more notes on it. And, of course, the glycerin (available in pharmacies) is much cheaper.

[@goilo888]

Adding further... I see that in your blog article you do address this fact: "Propylene glycol is alcohol by nature. Its properties are similar to the properties of glycerine, but unlike glycerin, it evaporates from the paint film completely without affecting its characteristics, while glycerin never really leaves the paint layer, which can result in stickiness of the painting’s surface. That’s why I would avoid adding glycerin to acrylic, gouache or watercolor paints." Good to know. I haven't found any stickiness myself, but will have to experiment some more. I now have to wonder if VEGETABLE glycerin is the same as just glycerin?

[@LenaRivo]

This medium is made of propylene glycol which evaporates from the paint completely while glycerin never leaves the paint layer completely. For this reason I have never added it to my paints. Pure propylene glycol can be used instead of this medium. It costs about the same as glycerin.

[@vallektz]

That was exactly my first thought that it is glycerin. I often use it during the summer when humidity is at 3%. Works great, but there is shine with the glycerin as well as the blending medium.

[@LenaRivo]

@@vallektz the shine was because glycerin doesn’t evaporate from the painting completely, while this medium, which is made of propylene glycol, does. It doesn’t create shine. It evaporates completely leaving the painting absolutely matte. I have tried it in different proportions and even when I added the medium instead of water to make my paints more fluid it didn’t affect the matte finish of gouache.

[@MrLuisagarcia]

thank you. just what i needed. i wonder if it would work with casein.

[@LenaRivo]

It might, but since casein, unlike gouache, dries permanently, once the paint has dried you won’t be able to reactivate it, but with this medium it will take longer for the paint layer to dry, that’s for sure.

[@Neorhim]

Just rewatched this excellent video because we talked together about this medium for his anti-microbial properties too. I'll try it as I fear using clove bud oil as anti-fungicide directly in my gouache, especially since I paint on black paper: I fear having oily spots if I add the oil in my paint. Maybe I will still use the oil under the lid of my palette: apparently it does not need direct contact to be effective.

[@LenaRivo]

Since gouache is a water-soluble medium, it feels unnatural for me to add oil to it. Even though essential oils are supposed to evaporate completely over time, we can’t be completely sure about their purity and whether they contain fractions of ordinary vegetable oil that do not evaporate and instead oxidize over time or not because those oil really can leave greasy spots on a gouache paints.

[@Neorhim]

I agree, that is why I'll try to spray just the underlid. I guess, since some painters directly put it in their gouache, that just having it on under the lid will not be that bad. You seem to have a very scientific approach and mind, do you have a science background?

[@LenaRivo]

@@Neorhim I do :) I have a degree in physics.

[@Neorhim]

Ha… you are unmasked my lady. ;-)

[@Neorhim]

If I can ask… have you ever used the same type of palette for acrylic? And do you know if acrylic would also be prone to mold if it was in an airtight palette? Or is it the Arabic gum of gouache, that essentially causes the problem with mold? In the same time, the problem with Ivory black may come from the fact that there is an animal ingredient to it. But what about your pink? Or several people having troubles with titanium white?

[@Neorhim]

Super interesting!

[@AlvinMarkArt]

Thank you, Lena! :)

[@Денис-и9к2ю]

Класс, очень интересно было посмотреть, как сейчас пишут гуашью профессионалы!! Мы с Вами "в друзьях" во всех соцсетях) но теперь вот случайно нашел Ваш канал в рекомендациях одной британской пленэрной художницы, чему приятно удивлен!)) Какое счастье, что мы живём в такое чудное время, когда есть столько полезных и качественных материалов, о которых наши родители, бабушки и дедушки могли только мечтать! Бесконечного Вам творческого вдохновения, на Вашем пути, новых открытий и развития канала, спасибо что поделились творческими секретами!!)

[@LenaRivo]

Спасибо, Денис 😊 Дааа, нам очень повезло жить в такое время. Не только, потому что у нас есть легкий доступ в качественным материалам, но и к интернету, который позволяет нам делиться знаниями и вдохновлять друг друга 🥰❤️ Творческих успехов вам и радости!

[@Денис-и9к2ю]

@@LenaRivo Спасибо огромное и Вам, всего самого доброго!

[@TheMrsWarhol]

This is fantastically useful!!! How long will the paints stay moist inside the palette box? I’m really comfortable with watercolors and am just getting started with gouache. I understand it’s not the best idea to re-wet them? Thank you!!

[@LenaRivo]

Glad you have found the video helpful :) In the palette box, gouache stays moist forever if you mist it with water a couple of times a month, even without the medium. This medium prevents gouache from drying instantly when you paint, so it gives you more time to mix colors and apply them to the paper.

[@TheMrsWarhol]

@@LenaRivo Thanks so much for the follow up!! Once I get a bit more used to gouache, I’ll sign up for one of your classes!!

[@ritagailburleson3819]

Thank you so Very Much!!

[@melanie990]

This is game changing for me!!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! How do you think it would work with acryl gouache?

[@LenaRivo]

:) I am glad it was helpful, Melanie. I think this medium will work as well with acrylic gouache.

[@peraya77]

Thank you so much Lena! Was the pdf link removed from your description? I do not see it. Thank you.

[@LenaRivo]

Glad it was helpful! You can find the link to the PDF in the description (under the list of the products used in the video, right after Zinc White).

[@peraya77]

@@LenaRivo Never mind! I figured it out. Thank you Lena!

[@MikeCampo]

Excellent, just what I need. I have the same container as you and my gouache is bone dry!

[@LenaRivo]

:) This medium is for preventing gouache paints from drying too fast while you are painting. You can bring your dry paints back to life by doing the following. Spray them very well with distilled or tap water, close your palette and let the paints soak overnight. The next day, open the storage palette and see if they are soft enough to stir them with toothpicks. If they are still too stiff and can’t be stirred easily, you will need to spray them again and leave them in the closed palette for another 24 hours. This should be enough for your paints to soften. Now you only need to stir each of the colors well until they get an even consistency and they will become nice and creamy again. After that, you can add a few drops of the blending medium or propylene glycol to each one of the colors. They will dry slower in the closed palette and when you are using the colors.

[@MikeCampo]

@@LenaRivo Thank you, that's very helpful!

[@rebeccacampbell8020]

So, gouache is meant to be wet on your palette while painting? All this time I thought you must wet it onto your tray to begin to use. Is this right, wrong, or can it be done both ways?