[ How to Use Gouache ] // Tutorial for Beginners - Tea to Butter Method // Mary Sanche

[@sp-xf3pb]

This "Tea to Butter" analogy was first created by Mr. Joseph Zbukvic as he well explained in his 2002 book "Mastering atmoshere and mood in watercolor". It is a 9 part diagram including the 4 moisture states of the paper (Dry-Damp-Moist-Wet) and he calls it "watercolor clock" not only because of its circular shape as a digram but also timing is a crucial element in watercolor painting. So all the credit should go to him since he had a pretty hard time to simplify elaborately the most confusing part of watercoloring to every bodies understanding as a "valuable teaching method" as in his words. But it's still nice to adopt it to gouache and demonstrating how it actually works . Thank you for your time doing that.

[@MarySanche]

Thanks for the info, I'll pin this so others can see the credit.

[@MarySanche]

@Yasmine S. I have not tried them or even heard of them, but I'll keep my eye out now! I hope to try them some day

[@sp-xf3pb]

​@Yasmine S. First of all, regarding a respected artist doesn't make me necessarily a fan. Secondly, what we are talking about is not a technique. It is an analogy created by him to understand the technique. If you are having difficulty to understand what you read, give it a second or even a third try when it's obviously necessary.

[@melbendigo]

Good to know, but just try to buy that book. Cheapest available is over $230 used. A book isn't useful if no one gets to read it. It always amazes that a much coveted book will go out of print when there's still a big market for it... You'd think it would be re-issued.

[@BayesRules]

And does Mr. Zbukvic give credit in his book to the generations of painters who had used this technic before him?

[@blotchilim1980]

I'm only just starting gouache, and i think i'm still wobbly when it comes to water control 😂 but this analogy is wonderful! Thank you so much!

[@kerry5586]

Just starting to use gouache and this is the most useful video I have come across for the basics that I needed and wasn't understanding. Thank you so much!

[@mallorydurrick]

Your voice is lovely and the explanations were exceptional. Just got my first set of gouache today, so we shall see. Thank you.

[@ChristinaTodd1970]

I painted this today. Your tutorial looks easy-peasy but it’s a deception, lol. Gouache is harder than it looks. Practice, practice, practice. Thanks Mary (and Joseph Zbukvic, who is a phenomenal watercolorist.) This tutorial is so helpful.

[@sujanithtottempudi2991]

Thank you... recently I restarted gouache...now I understand where was I wrong before. Who invented it is secondary to me...I'm thankful to you that you helped me with this video🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@Rojo731]

My gouache, have I been underestimating and underusing my gouache. I can’t wait to go try this!

[@kennethtwist8662]

What can I say that has not been said already.Brilliant video. Thank you

[@cmcasadoiro]

Thank you! I am an absolute beginner to gouache and this video was very instructive.

[@gwensimmons_gigi1629]

This vid was extremely useful; simple painting showing this medium’s range… amazing!! Tfsharing!!🤩🥰👍🏾😉

[@dwightgaston6079]

Very very well explained. Simple is best!

[@MixedMediaCraftsbyDiane]

Thank you for this demonstration. It is very helpful.

[@joyfulldj]

Love this, thanks,still struggeling with thickness, i think im more in the milk and cream range, i usually have my gouache dried in my mijello palette. Though my gouache is dried i usually prewet with an eyedropper,saves me the fuzz with sore fingers for tubes,lol. I think I love it as much as watercolors and i use both as often, preference of gouache i think is that its so economical and makes me less of a fuzz with practice.

[@dannydamore2668]

What a wonderful tutorial! I really appreciate the painting you did afterwards, explaining what consistency you were using and when while layering. It was really helpful!

[@louvetteuy8610]

helpful for beginner. Thanks

[@kevinvillasuso7307]

Thanks for teaching ❤

[@iToad04]

Loved this tutorial! I definitely had a tendency to paint too thick from the start so I’ll watch out for that in future paintings. I really love how informative your videos are, I hope this video will help you gain a lot of followers because you really deserve them!

[@edwilkinson3092]

Thank you can’t wait to go buy some gouache appreciate your helpful principles

[@doraevatt8320]

Thank you for sharing my son bought me some gouache paint try them once. I was a disaster. Your explanation makes me want to try again. I will continue to watch you.

[@ligacirule3002]

Finally a really good tutorial on gouche! Thank you so much!

[@chatita9527]

Thank you, this was so helpful 👍😁 Greetings from Berlin Germany 🤗

[@annmariehaase5008]

Thank you. I have never seen a person work the gouache. Thank you again!

[@nabi767]

I have been collecting gouache tubes from different brands to try out. Then I wondered whether I should buy acrylic paints too for first layers since I heard gouache reactivates its underlayers. Now I know better. It was most helpful to know "tea" layer would not reactivate. Thanks a lot for sharing your knowledge.

[@fdabill1]

This was so very helpful. What a great tutorial. I'm new to watercolor and gouache and this really helped me understand how to work with it better. Thank you.

[@romaisblooming]

Fabulous lesson!

[@arcuda2001]

Absolutely loved this!!! Is great to have that “ visual” in mind, about the consistencies and when to use which ... so so helpful !! Thanks so much and I look so forward to each of your videos .. you are very gifted and also a fabulous teacher ...

[@charlottemeadows5936]

Thank you so much for this! I was ignorant about gouache and watching this helped me so much! Thank you!

[@myrnaeastman5494]

thank you good start for me,

[@jamilaalawadhi8798]

thank you for the beautiful demonstration. I would love to learn

[@charlottek9580]

so good!

[@wdashwor]

Most helpful! I'm new to gouache, so looking to learn. Thanks!

[@zarrminayvlogs6752]

Great 👍

[@ann-marielofberg1159]

Very helpful

[@estefani6692]

Thank you! This was great info as well as inspo for a newbie like me

[@weavrr1153]

It's the same for oils! Fat over lean in relation to the oil medium used.

[@powermom74]

This is such a helpful video

[@heidiweeks8236]

Super helpful!

[@hilaryrowan9218]

Excellent explanation and introduction to gouache. I'm feeling so inspired and confidant enough to give it a try now. Thank you!

[@yelsyels]

Super! appreciated

[@xJannah637]

Using this tutorial for my assignment 😂😂😂

[@jensheart]

Such a great method to explain and remember!! Did you come up with it on your own? ( cause I would love to mention it to my art friends in conversations ). And as usual video is great. I greatly enjoy your soft voice and the clear explanations. Thank you for sharing!! ^.^

[@MarySanche]

Not on my own, no! I think it's a rather old classical method. I learned it in college and have come across it in tutorial books etc.

[@towardsthelight4919]

Thank you so much for your video could you do more step by step tutorials please ,...especially landscape ...explaining the colours and techniques as you did here ? My Winsor & Newton gouache came with zinc white could you please explain the difference in use I already know zinc is more transparent than titanium white but I don’t really know how to use the zinc white to it’s advantages. Which white are you using in this piece ? Thank you in advance 🙏

[@MarySanche]

Hi. I usually use titanium white, which is more opaque. I value the opacity. Zinc white is better at preserving the vibrancy of hue but I don't like the consistency of it, so I rarely use it. People make a bit deal about zinc vs titanium but I think it's probably more pertinent in other types of paint rather than gouache.

[@liveincolor3793]

Do you regularly do wet on wetnto bleed the edges?

[@salbarracca]

can you draw over a dried painting?

[@sincostanian]

I've been wondering for a while if there is any difference between thinned out gouache and watercolour (and vs. both at full strength, watercolour mixed with white)? Would a good gouache vs a watercolour tube of the same pigment be interchangeable? It seems like if a gouache is really opaque due to a very high concentration of pigment (no fillers), it would be just the same as watercolours, but much more economical. Is there a reason for a person who loves watercolour to stick with that instead of just buying gouache and using it as watercolour? :)

[@MarySanche]

Gouache also has a mattifier, which affects the flow of the paint. So no, they're not exactly the same. Watercolour is generally 'cleaner,' glazes better, and flows faster across the page.

[@peacelrose]

What paper do you suggest

[@carlycharlesworth1497]

Hi Mary, can you please tell me if I can use fixative coating spray to stop the layer of paint below I have applied from lifting when I apply a second layer of gouache to the piece I'm working on?

[@MarySanche]

I wouldn't recommend it. Fixative is typically for dry media. The water from the paint would probably dissolve it anyway.

[@carlycharlesworth1497]

@@MarySanche thank you for the quick reply. Actually, after I posted that comment/question, I realised what a bad idea it was and I feel embarrassed about asking. I will now crawl back into my deep dark shell and hide my really rosey face! Lol. Until I watched your video today, I had never checked Gouache out. Thank you so, so much for creating this tuition video. I literally knew NOTHING at all about Gouache before I looked it up on YT and found your video. So now I am going to come outta my shell and go find the items I need for a brief painting session. Thank you again for posting this video...I really feel inspired to try Gouache out. From a fan in South Wales. God bless you all.

[@papidrily24]

Very helpful but Ant more colors

[@MrsJohnstonaire]

OMGosh!! I have been struggling with the “perfect” gouache consistency and this video just took away the mystery!! This explanation totally changed my gouache game; I immediately implemented the “tea to butter” method and the results were amazing! THANK YOU so much!! (You seriously don’t know how many videos I’ve watched trying to find this EXACT information 🤦🏼‍♀️).

[@AmberwingArt]

This was the best video on how to use gouache that I've found anywhere. Thanks so much for sharing this info! I'd love to see a video on how to create animal fur in gouache; I love this medium, but that's one I've struggled with.

[@MarySanche]

Good idea! I'll film something about my fur technique in the future. :)

[@AmberwingArt]

@@MarySanche woot - I'll look forward to it! I love the painterly look of your fur :)

[@crystlark]

Same exp. here.

[@melissac.9488]

What do you use to blend gouache ? Thank you very much for your videos 🏵🌸🌺

[@chrisbeacham7882]

The comment "I want to work in the same value range as this tea but at a higher opacity" blew my mind. I've been using Gouache for a few months but it hadn't occurred to me that you can adjust these two things so independently and conciously

[@danasa4994]

That sentence was one of my favourites too! It's like it popped on the brightest light bulb in my brain throughout watching this video. I really appreciate it when teachers use the most effective expressions they can come up with to explain their point

[@elliewithg]

I've watched several gouache tutorials and this is the most easy and informative of them all. Thank you! 😊

[@ugotnojams9144]

I bought my gouache set last 2 days ago,and this really helps me! Thank you❤️

[@angelinadubois4842]

I like your pfp 😊

[@firechick561]

This was the most helpful tutorial I have seen...you go through the levels of transparency, how light is reflected & to what extent by the amount of pigment...all illustrated by using a tonal study of a coffee cup. Brilliant!!

[@cynthiakammann7368]

I agree! This tutorial is brilliant ... beautifully executed and spot-on helpful. Thank you so much!

[@sowmyavoona]

I've recently bought gouache. I've been working with acrylics so i struggled with understanding how much water to use. This was very informative. Thank you

[@julienotsmith7068]

THANK YOU. I’ve been struggling with how much water to use with my gouache, and you’ve put it in a language I understand.

[@Vgudorf]

Just learning when to apply the different consistencies during the early to late stages explained a lot toward how to avoid the frustration of lifting prior layers, and muddying your work. This was something I didn’t know before seeing this video, and for that, I’m extremely thankful. I had given up on gouache because of this, and wondered how in the world others managed to make such gorgeous works in this medium. Now, I think I’m ready to give it another go, and hopefully see much better results. Thank you so much for this tutorial!

[@pinkflamingo5628]

Thank you for this video. I’m beginning my gouache journey and this has helped immensely. 🌺

[@jbeoin]

I've watched so many videos on using gouache, and this is singlehandedly the most helpful one I've seen yet in discussing the consistency! Thank you so much for this. I've been very frustrated, and this has helped to clarify a LOT of confusion I've had!

[@JacqueArmijo]

This was great! I've been painting with gouache for four years now, and I still feel like I got some new things out of this. Thanks!

[@jessyanne409]

This is the most helpful lesson on gouache I’ve ever seen!

[@atelieradela]

What a great demonstration! This makes me want to find my gouache again and try this (I will have to sorte out my workspace first). From your previous video I will try using flat brushes, the round ones don't pick up enough paint. For some reason I really want to drink a coffee mocha after watching this XD

[@nevertooldtolearnmore]

Best video I’ve found yet introduce the medium to a beginner. Thanks! Herb G.

[@jasonboyd782]

This is a stupid comment. But. I find it hard to watch so many artist videos because their voices are insufferably annoying. Yours is not. I appreciate it.

[@MarySanche]

Haha thank you!

[@edwilkinson3092]

Very helpful thank you very much

[@joycesnodgrass7068]

Mary, thank you! I've had Holbein & Caran D'Ache gouache on my shelf for sometime. I've painted a couple Christmas cards with it just this week, and as so surprised that I really love it!

[@marypartridge5154]

Such a sensible teacher who really knows the techniques so thanx I think you are a GREAT teacher and I say this rarely.

[@Brocollipy]

Very helpful, thank you

[@JenniferCharleeArt]

Thanks for this useful visual! I should practice this a bit more before my next gouche painting attempt. I definitely have a hard time figuring out the water to paint ratio and this would be a helpful practice to get a better feel for how the paint reacts

[@joyfulldj]

In the beginning I opted for that choppy feeling of gouache; only to find out that on my own work it gives me the itch, I have while testing the new tubes totally ignored my shinhan pass. Should be fun to compare those with actual gouache from what Ive seen it doesn't differ to much so that will be fun to compare,lol. I like how you work layering wise,dark to light is something that doesnt work for me, i always endup overworking it when i do that minus the highlights tho.

[@mollychen1052]

Just to be clear, for the butter consistency, are you supposed to go in with a completely dry paintbrush? or is the brush like preset and patted dry? I’m mostly having trouble with conceptualizing brush wetness i think….

[@tasha5246]

Wonderful tutorial! Thank you! I’m curious about drying times/intervals as you’re painting. I didn’t hear any references to waiting for a layer to dry before proceeding. Are you always painting wet-into-wet? Thank you.

[@hls3844]

Thankyouuu so much🌼💖 Its really helps me alotss✨ i just start use gouache like 2 days 🥺 and from your video i finally can get how should i start. I only know how to acrylics, poster paint and watercolor before , thankyouu againn🌼

[@comedygumballmachine4748]

THANK YOU! So informative! I'm just getting started & was basically fumbling through, but now I know the order to build & how to deal with shadows vs. a solid object. Are your terms ("tea" to "cream") standard gouache terms or something you made up as a reference tool?

[@brendaberezan983]

thanks for this very helpful video, as I sit down to work with gouache for the first time. May I ask what weight and brand of watercolour paper you're typically using?

[@beckyhofer4328]

Thanks… very helpful as I’m just beginning gouache. You’re a good teacher!

[@nancyvfinn5253]

What kind of Strathmore paper? It looks pretty thick. Cold press? Thanks

[@AdamskiiJon]

Got my first gauche set a few days ago and have been putting off using it. But I gave it a whack before watching this video and I think I'll have bettrer results this time around. Thanks 👌

[@traekas7228]

And, you like using Gouache instead of any other type of pigment, like acrylic paint or watercolors?

[@purinpat]

You mentioned that you mainly work with gouache, so I was wondering if there is a reason you like it more than acryla-gouache? I like that they dry matte, but I don’t know which I would like to get into. Thank you

[@manicangel7796]

The most difficult part of this, since it's just different values and hues, is drawing the damn cup lol...

[@SharonNolfi]

This is an extremely helpful video, Mary. I appreciate you intelligence, clear presentation, and real-time demo. What's the difference between titanium white and zinc white, and which did you use in this painting? Thanks for all you do on this channel - I enjoy both the science and the art.

[@MarySanche]

Zinc white tends to be warmer and less opaque; titanium white tends to be more neutral and more opaque. Generally I always use titanium white for the opacity. If I need a mix to be warmer, I make sure the base colours are warmer. I know some people swear by zinc though so it's just personal preference.

[@mohammedaasri2774]

Thanks sister

[@agwheeler2000]

Thanks for this! I am a total beginner and this was super informative and helpful.

[@joypolk3093]

Thanks for this very informative video, I enjoyed your teaching.

[@sheilakavanagh2298]

Great tutorial. Have you mentioned previously what brushes you use?

[@sketchpest9622]

Bought my first gouache paints today. Appreciate the video!

[@johnoswald9143]

Oils, thick to thin, Gouache, thin to thick. beautiful little gouache sketch.

[@ChristinaTodd1970]

This was great! Exactly what I needed since I’m a total noob when it comes to gouache.

[@maureenkarkos9882]

Thank you so much! The best example of this product.

[@jamesbutler5995]

Thanks for sharing this video I am studying water color paint such a wonderful hobby!!!

[@ejej1964]

Thanks for the information. I’m starting to work with gouache.

[@judyshinohara]

Thank you so much for this tutorial. I've been using acrylic paint for over a decade, but I've never been able to get into watercolor. I recently got some gouache because I heard it's like a cross between the two. I tried a bunch of different tutorials but I still can't get it. This tutorial is exactly what I've been missing!! I couldn't believe you avoided opacity for the shadows. I think I need to spend more time in the "tea" and "coffee" stage.

[@lamb5504]

This video is great! but you sound like Sadie from Steven Universe

[@nighthealerrn1695]

Well explained. I understand layers so much more.

[@nithyakonduru1709]

Hi! What type of paper do u recommend for water based gouache? Any specific brands that are not to expensive?

[@leottart7027]

Very, very helpful! Particularly how the different paint thicknesses affect the composition - I hadn't realized that opaque parts would come forward while translucent ones would recede.

[@InLiquidColor]

Thanks for this Mary! Any chance you have the info for the music track in the later half of the video? 😁 It's so lovely!

[@MarySanche]

It's just from the KZbin Creator freebies! It's called 'Sunday Drive' if you search it up in there.

[@InLiquidColor]

@@MarySanche thanks!

[@rogerwillcocks8106]

love it Mary, great to have real confidence in the colour unlike the vagaries of watercolour,

[@suel4269]

Very helpful! I’ve gone too thick right off the bat.