My Gouache Art Supplies (Getting Started with Gouache Painting)

Have you ever wondered what paints, brushes and art materials I use to bring to life my gouache ballerina illustrations? Today I'm sharing a video outlining all my gouache art supplies from paints and papers to brushes and more. I'll take you through my essentials list if you're getting started or if you're just curious to know exactly what I use to create the artwork of Pointebrush.
Hope you enjoy this video!
Xo
Margot
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CHAPTERS
0:00 Intro
01:13 Paper
04:16 Gouache Paints
09:17 Paintbrushes
14:28 Palettes
16:15 Outro
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SUPPLIES LIST
Paper : bit.ly/3vUpP8e
Paint Sets
bit.ly/3ttYIiE
bit.ly/3erycSB
bit.ly/2R3GQxP
-- Brushes --
Round 6 : bit.ly/3tvgjqp
Round 2 : bit.ly/3tAOFbj
Flat 8 : bit.ly/3xV2cxT
Angled 8 : bit.ly/3o1IX0Y
Filbert 8 : bit.ly/3exD1dj
Round 12/0 : bit.ly/3f2rIZu
Round 5/0 Spotter Brush : bit.ly/3tyxG9L
-- Escoda Brushes --
Round 6 (expensive) : bit.ly/3bcnKfY
Round 2 (expensive) : bit.ly/33tcyqY
-- Palettes --
Flower Palette : bit.ly/3f31ndJ
Butcher Tray : bit.ly/3etMRwI
Ceramic Plates : bit.ly/3tvRyub
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WHERE TO FIND ME
Instagram : / pointebrush
Website : pointebrushnyc.com/
Subscribe to this Channel : bit.ly/3r6t765
Facebook : / pointebrushnyc
Pinterest : / _shop
Contact me : pointebrushnyc.com/pages/contact
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Hi! My name is Margot and I am an artist and graphic designer. I started my career and spent over 15 years in New York City as a professional branding and consumer packaged goods designer for many of the world's top Fortune 500 brands and companies. My painting journey started as a side project and a creative outlet for me to step away from the computer, go back to my "roots" in fine art and to hone my skills as an illustrator and painter. I started posting some of my work on instagram and the rest is history. My work is inspired by all the things that I am passionate about. Ballet, travel, graphic design, color and finding a world of beauty in all facets of everyday life.
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*Disclaimer: Pointebrush is a participant in the Blick Art Materials affiliate program. An affiliate advertising program is designed to provide a means for creators to earn fees by linking to products they recommend on Blick.com. The cost to you for these products is the same, but Pointebrush earns a small commission which helps support the creation of these videos and content.

[@shirleywolf6739]

I love that you are cruelty free and environmentally friendly.

[@rahelko_art]

A thumb up for promoting cruelty free synthetic brushes! 🥰

[@cristinalattuada5322]

Thank you for recommending synthetic brushes. I often worry where the hair on the brushes is coming from. I fear that animals are bred in captivity for their hair. I’m interested in finding out more on this topic.

[@tonyabeauchamp3087]

Thanks for all that you do! I always learn so much!!

[@mithbakedgoods3985]

This video is really good and educational!

[@Pointebrush]

I’m so glad you liked it! Thank you! 🙏

[@martinakuroneko5962]

I'm totally in love with you! Your energy is amazing so I'm glad I've discovered your channel. Warm greetings from Poland! :)

[@danieljamesbinderystu2968]

I use Schmincke Horadam, M. Graham and the lighfast colors of Holbein gouache, I keep them in airtight pallet boxes with a drop of clove oil mixed in each well and they won't ever mold. I will only use Strathmore 400 series for practicing, playing around and to work out ideas ( 300 series is considered student grade, 400 is professional and 500 is professional Artist grade) I use the Strathmore 500 series papers for any finished work. The 500 series is 100% cotton, Archival and naturally acid free ( not chemically treated to be acid free ) The Strathmore 500 series 100% cotton extra heavyweight boards are absolutely amazing and are 350 lb. Boards. The 500 series vellum and plate bristol is amazing as well. Other that that... I use my all time favorite, Saunders Waterford papers. Hope you have a great day 🙂

[@yokaiyokai5866]

Hi! Can you link to the palettes you use? I wanna see them.

[@sfrancies87]

Thank you so much Margot. I'd love to see a video on what colours you use please!

[@Pointebrush]

Absolutely! I’m already preparing one 😉

[@aracelisantoyo6620]

Thank you for the detailed information. I was just looking into trying gouache and this video was super helpful! 👌

[@Pointebrush]

I’m so glad it helped! Thanks for watching!

[@mariaceciliasimasbittencou5920]

Very informative and helpful. Thank you!!

[@Pointebrush]

I'm so happy it was helpful! Thank you for watching!

[@carolefreeman2544]

That was an excellent and very informative video on starting with Gouache. Thank you so much 😊 ❤🇨🇦

[@Pointebrush]

Glad you enjoyed it!!

[@sheylaboucher3829]

Thank you Margot ! Very good infos and well done videos! And funny too!😄

[@wunna8657]

Thank you so much this is very clear organize and helpful! Great presentation.

[@Pointebrush]

Hope it helps you with your organizing ❤️ Thanks for watching!

[@JorjaZanetta]

Excellent video!!! Thank you!❤️

[@Pointebrush]

You’re welcome and thank you for watching! ❤️

[@AB-jg3tb]

Thank you for the breakdown. I'm planning on trying gauche for a first time after painting with watercolours and this really helped :)

[@Pointebrush]

Oh I’m so happy this was helpful for you! Rooting for you and wishing you lots of luck on your new gouache adventure 😉

[@avajuleen7886]

Love this!🤩

[@Pointebrush]

Thank you Ava! 🙏

[@bilalahmadshah3936]

We're so proud of you Margot... Keep doing your best work.... ❤❤

[@Pointebrush]

🥹 Thank you!! ❤️❤️❤️

[@beaterossi2748]

Thank you for the Video, I use all the Colors from Royal Talens, Aquarell, Guache, Acrylic and Oil the colors are all brilliant . Best wishes from Cologne, Germany

[@Pointebrush]

Another great brand I should pick up and use more often! Thanks for watching! Xo! ❤️

[@bilalahmadshah3936]

Marvellous...artwork @Margot.❤ Imagine getting a heart from u❤

[@MsEvolve]

Thank you for the information! My daughter wants gouache paints for Christmas and I had no idea what brushes to get. Your links were very helpful!

[@Pointebrush]

Thank you! And wishing your daughter a wonderful journey into the world of gouache! 💕

[@jetteroheller6395]

You are doing great! Love the bloopers!

[@Pointebrush]

😜❤️🙏

[@debbiec2663]

Love your channel and bloopers

[@Pointebrush]

Thank you Debbie! Happy to have you on here with me ❤️

[@karensilver7264]

I love your videos, so informative for a beginner. Thank you. 16:54

[@carrollwilson5169]

I’m so pleased I watched this, yes, it’s a year later however excellent information for a about to start gouache person

[@teensymarie]

Can you explain why you use different brushes for gouache than for watercolor? I've never tried gouache, but the Holbein Irodori sets are on sale on Amazon right now. Like, can I use my regular watercolor brushes, like the Aquaelite? Do they need to be stiffer than that? Is there a risk of using nicer watercolor brushes for gouache? Also, it seems like the paper is less important for gouache than for watercolor. The paper you recommend is certainly less expensive. I have a Canson XL watercolor pad that I bought when I first started trying watercolor painting, and immediatly decided that I was not going to cut it. I wonder if that would be a good candidate for gouache adventures.

[@nancyloomis3046]

Enjoying this video! I’ve started building my pro set of gouache with WN Designer gouache...I have the 3 primaries and a Linden Green, and I’ll keep going with those, but would like to try Holbein too...I have a 12 color set of their watercolors...and they’re great. I also have to say that I have really enjoy using Pelikan “OPAQUE”pan set of 24. While it is marketed to kids, it’s not just for kids and costs about $30 some odd dollars for the 24 set or you can buy just 12. The colors are beautiful and very high quality. But no, it’s not really gouache, but will give you a more matte and less transparent lay down. Both the opaque and the transparent sets are very high quality, but not “pro” because Pelikan does not disclose their pigments. The 24 set of transparent costs around $50 give or take. Since Pelikan doesn’t disclose pigments, I would only use a painting done with them for personal use or digital reproduction.

[@Pointebrush]

Hi Nancy! Thank you for watching! I've never tried Pelikan paints. How interesting! I may look into them for my son (and try them out in the process 😉). I would highly recommend the Holbeins for sure if you've never used them. Hope the video was helpful!

[@24get24give]

this was a very helpful and informative video, it's a relief to hear you don't necessarily need to spend to, spend yop dollars on brushes to get started, and it is nice to hear a good word on Strathmore paper, which I have used for ages trying to learn to draw and been very happy with, I didn't know I could paint on it as well, thanks, one thing I feel the need to point out, though, is Escoda is actually pronounced es-CO-da, I thought you'd like to know, thanks again, and keep up the good work!

[@jamtjamt12]

Hi! Thank you for this amazing video! Margot do you think it is better to keep the gouache in the original tube or can you pour a little bit over a watercolor metallic tin with empty half pans? I’m afraid that the colors will become excessively dry or grow mold 😱 I have never used gouache, and I don’t know if using Holbein artist quality gouache would prevent my concerns … like if excessive dryness and mold only happen to cheap quality gouache, or all types of gouache regardless of the price. Thank you and blessings from Miami.

[@dees3179]

I enjoy schmincke gouache, and also their calligraphy gouache. Also like WN. Never got my hands on Holbein so far.

[@Pointebrush]

I have yet to try Schmincke but I’ve heard some great things about their paints 👍👍👍

[@heatherveronica2597]

Thank you in general for this helpful and educational video, with that said…a major massive giant THANK YOU for sharing the safety info regarding the cadmium/heavy metals that may be present in this medium. I’m all about keeping safe and being OSHA compliant 😅!! Keep up your fantastic videos and beautiful work! ♥️♥️♥️♥️

[@Pointebrush]

Yes! Very important! Especially for beginners or artists with kids or pets! I plan on delving into this topic in more detail soon!

[@butacrafts]

Thanks for the video. I’m hoping to get started with gouache and this has been helpful in getting my starter kit going. I have a question about sharing the same brushes for watercolor and gouache. I get mixed information that it is best to have separate sets of brushes as gouache application can sometimes be less friendly to the bristles especially Round brushes. What are your thought? For the paper, since traditional gouache behaves like watercolor, why is vellum Bristol better than coldpress watercolor paper? You mentioned about scanning quality due to texture. Is there anything else to note? Does vellum Bristol hold up to the amount of water? I find it hard to work with papers that buckle easily. Thank you!

[@Pointebrush]

Hi there and thank you so much for watching my video! Those are great questions! So for the brushes, I haven't really seen my brushes degrade from using traditional gouache with them because the composition of the paint is relatively similar. However, if you end up using Acryla gouache (or acrylics) then I would say absolutely, YES do not mix your watercolor brushes with those because acrylics and acrylic gouache are much harsher on brushes. As far as paper is concerned, gouache is typically used with much less water than watercolor so you can get away with using a paper that doesn't need to soak up as much water. Cold press watercolor paper tends to be much more expensive than bristol so for me, because I don't use as water when I'm doing gouache, I don't feel like I need the heavier, cottony paper. If you're using gouache in a very wet technique that's similar to watercolor then a watercolor paper (hot or cold press) would be preferable. I have a video coming next week about the differences between watercolor and gouache so hopefully that should help you even more with transitioning from one medium to the next ;)

[@butacrafts]

@@Pointebrush thank you so much!

[@eljacoby]

Hi there! I’m a newbie to art and using your links to create a gauche kit. The link for paper directs me to Strathmore Drawing paper. Is this correct? Also, thank you for your clear and concise instructional videos. I’ve wanted to get started for so long, but have been overwhelmed and paralyzed with inexperience.

[@Pointebrush]

Hi L J! So glad this video was useful! And yes you are correct about the Strathmore drawing paper. That is what I like for more graphic style gouache work. If you're going with a more painterly à la watercolor kind of style, I would suggest a watercolor paper instead but it totally depends on your style and what you plan on painting. Feel free to comment if you have any other questions. I would love to be of help as you navigate the new world of gouache ❤️

[@GONZOFAM7]

I have an army of brushes I use for watercolor. All the shapes and siz3s you recommend. Could I use them for both without buying brushes just for qoauche?

[@pekingduck15]

Hi Margot! Thank you for this informative video. I'm looking to purchase Holbein Gouache paints, I'd like to ask what are your color recommendations? I'm only looking to get cool and warm colors and a few browns, maybe white and brown. I don't know the different between Primary White and Permanent White from the Holbein line. since I like landscapes :) hope you can help me, thanks!

[@Pointebrush]

Hi Nikki! That's a great question! I should do a video on a good starter set for gouache but to get you started in the meantime, here's what I recommend. I would definitely choose permanent white over any of the other whites that Holbein offers because it's the most opaque (so you're going to get some nice opacity which is super helpful when you're getting started). For colors, I think it really depends on your style and if you like bright poppy colors or more muted or complex tones, but here are some of my favorites that make good primary and starter colors: REDS flame red, geranium red BLUES peacock blue, prussian blue YELLOWS primary yellow, naples yellow italian GREENS terre verte and moss green (make great natural greens for landscapes) EARTH TONES I recommend raw umber, yellow ochre and burnt sienna. Also, not in the Holbein range but the Winsor and Newton pale rose blush is an excellent color to have in your arsenal. It plays nicely and you can mix a lot of nice complex colors using this. Hope this helps and let me know what you end up getting and if you like it!

[@pekingduck15]

@@Pointebrush thank you Margot for your quick reply, this has been most helpful. Holbein is more available in my country, while WN not so much and Schminke / M graham not at all! I will definitely check these colors out 💕 Thank you so much! Also, from the yellows you mentioned which one is the cool and which one is the warm? :)

[@Pointebrush]

What country do you live in Nikki? So for the yellows, the primary yellow is a lemon yellow whereas the naples yellow is more of a natural, earthy yellow (good for mixing with landscapes and greenery). If you want a nice warm yellow, I LOVE marigold by Holbein. It's also nice an opaque which is great.

[@pekingduck15]

@@Pointebrush Thank you so much Margot, j really appreciate the quick reply. I'm from the Philippines :) Holbein and Himi Miya are the most accessible in our country:)

[@paigegarrison6721]

What do you think about storing your gouache inside air-tight palettes?

[@ethereal_illusions]

Hi Margot, I am a new subscriber and I know i am super late, but I would love to see you make a video on your favourite gouache colours, similar to the one you did for watercolour ❤

[@Pointebrush]

Hi @etherial_illusians and welcome! So happy to have you! That’s an excellent idea!! Thank you for the suggestion, I’m putting that on my video list 👍

[@ethereal_illusions]

@@Pointebrush can’t wait to see it! I bought some of the recommended colours that you’ve suggested on your ultimate watercolour palette list, and I love them! Would love to recommend a unique colour for you from the Daniel Smith Iridescent Line called Scarab Red, it’s a beautiful earthy red with a green shift. I think you’ll love it :)

[@Pointebrush]

@@ethereal_illusions sounds lovely! And I love the name! I’ll put it on my shopping list 😜

[@susanstrickland6550]

What brand of gouache is best to start with

[@Pointebrush]

I would recommend Holbein Artist's. To me, they're the easiest to handle and the best

[@tejaswaniarts7340]

Hlo could you make a video of how to sell art offline and online both plz 🙏

[@susanbrenner4716]

What is the difference of gouache compared to other mediums??

[@Pointebrush]

Glad you asked because I have a specific video about just that on my channel!

[@CamilaMarquesESilvaSraE]

The timestamps are wrong :(

[@Pointebrush]

Hi there! I just made a correction to the paintbrushes time stamp which was incorrect. It should all be accurate now :) Thanks for letting me know!

[@valasafantastic1055]

There is no universal brush size system each number is nonsense when compared across brands and only make sense within a singular brand. The numbers don’t work! I love Holbein gouache too; except the cost is CRAZY in Canada. I invested in a small and stupidly expensive (again in Canada set) it cost me $80 CAD over 5 years ago and was a set of only 24; 5ml tubes. That’s $3.33 per tube and 66 cents per ml. Do you know what happened. I was so precious with them I barely used them! They are so expensive! Also please do add a touch of honey or vegetable glycerin when drying it out into a pallet or over time they become wasted useless rocks! I have been buying all the sets of HimI/Miya gouache they are amazing and to me at least almost as good as Holbein. In that they are very fun/functional. Cheap watercolours are much worse compared to art ones vs HimI/Miya compared to Holbein! I have been making big and small paintings so many paintings painting gouache paintings everyday and buying more paint when it goes on sale. It’s the same price to get the 18 HimI set that includes 2; 30 ml white as 1 m.graham 29 ml white gouache! The difference ins quality is minor! I just got the best deal in Canada I’ve seen on the new set the 50 set it has 14= 60 ml (including off white/white) and 36= 30ml cups plus it came with a bonus pallet for only $68 (including the tax and free shipping!) only $1.37 per cup (regardless of size and a total of 1920 ml of paint! So 6 cents per ml! That’s literally 11 times cheaper. You get 11 times the amount and can do 11 times more art! I still have use and love my Holbein gouache but it’s not 11 time better! It’s only 1.5 times better! I even use both together now. Also had several Holbein get wasted dried in tube and in pans before learning that honey trick! I think it’s more worth it with watercolours to invest in the night end art grade vs gouache! Unless you are living in Japan and can get Holbein for a reasonable price. Even then HimI/Miya is even cheaper in Asia so…. Feel free to disagree but I have been inspired, learned and painted so much more and can’t praise the HimI/Miya enough they are amazing quality for an amazing price Holbein only has best quality (with drying out hard as a rock if your not careful) for a very bad way to high/expensive to ridiculous price. Again except in Japan the price is good in Japan. I agree about not needing expensive brushes and that synthetics work best with gouache. I force myself to cut open the tubes and salvage my Holbein gouache and add honey. Most was still wet and with honey added in half pans and a eye dropper or mist before painting work great still I lost 1/4 of that ridiculous expensive paint, didn’t even get to use it! Also add isopropyl and throughly mix all tubs for the HimI/Miya this allows perfect consistency and prevents mould. Isopropyl spray going forward a bit as well. Take paint out using a pallet knife, can also use empty half/full pans and premix colours alongside using fresh. Also people try makeup brushes with gouache! Yes cheap dollar store brushes! You may be amazed at the gradients, soft blends and clouds! I advise them with other paints too! I also advise painting on various papers and taking notes especially trying coloured papers or an under layer in a colour of a less reactivatable paint. Etc! Some cheap brands are terrible but some are amazing! I hear Arteza is good too but haven’t tried it. Reeves is bad they smell and are weird so I don’t recommend them personally. Have fun everyone I hope my comment helps someone.

[@AmandaMG6]

With all love, remake this with little to no background music, less words, and no repetitive info 🙏🏼

[@Pointebrush]

Hi Amanda! It was one of my first videos for youtube so definitely had a LOT to learn back then LOL I totally agree with you! A remake is definitely in order ;)

[@user-zt7lg1hq7c]

I thought it was perfect! It's also super refreshing to hear classical music in the background rather than some kind of annoying rap beat like most people do; in that case, no music makes for a way better video. But the classical is light, pleasant, and uplifting, so I actually enjoyed that element. I could hear you perfectly so it did interfere. Also, I found the info presented thorough yet succint.. It very helpful! Thanks!!