Gouache and Acrylic?

[nikia]

Have any of you ever tried using thin layers of acrylic paints over dried gouache? If so, what happened? Chemical reaction? Cracking? Or any changes in the gouache color underneath?

[Phuzion]

I think that would be very risky as gouache is waterbased, and VERY easily ruined when working on top of it. But who knows, it could work.

[Denart]

it wont be ruined if no water is used!

the 'traditional' way is to use acrylics as a base and finish off with oils (Brom)
there are many ways. yes

[nikia]

Yeah I was thinking if I drybrushed the layer of acrylic over the gouache it might work. Even then I guess there might be a chemical reaction. I have some interference acrylics I was thinking of using over gouache. They're pretty well transparent, but show the color where light hits the paint. Just an idea I'm playing around with. Thanks guys. That's some decent looking artwork you both have.

[Elwell]

There shouldn't be any "chemical reactions". The only problem, as has already been stated, is the gouache layer could dissolve if the acrylics are too wet or you have a heavy hand. You could avoid that by spraying the gouache with an acrylic coating like Crystal Clear, but that can change the look of the paint by saturating the pigment. The best thing to do would be some quick test paintings, putting down a layer of gouache of similar color and thickness and seeing how it reacts to different treatments.

[JoshuaTheJames]

There is a new Acrylic Gouache. Check out Utrek's website, it may be there. It acts Just like Gouache but, dries like Acrylic. It doesn't smear or anything. You could pure water on it and it won't affect it. Arggg it's awesome!!!!

It was developed in Japan.

-Joshua James

[Elwell]

It's actually not new, it's been around for years. Holbein makes it and it's really nice stuff. I especially like that they put the Munsell notations on the tubes.

You can actually give gouache some water resistance by mixing it with acrylic medium. Or, use an egg yolk and make yourself some quick-n'-easy tempera paint.

[nikia]

Thanks guys. While I've painted a lot in oils and acrylics, I've never tried gouache. From what I've read about it, there are problems with bleeding if it gets water on it or peeling and flaking if it's in a humid climate. Lol, I live in a very humid climate. I think I'll try and find some acrylic gouache. Sounds like it's right up my alley and it would be nice if I could combine some of my other paints with it. Appreciate the help.

[squirpy]

just so you know, in class we seal our gouache with acryllic medium, but if you press down at all it will smear. If you don't, nothing happens.

[Warhead82]

i use to use gouache, and acrylic together, actually mixing them, when i didnt know what i was doing. And it seemed fine. But my art instructor told me, that it is bad, because it would crack. I suggest not doing it.

[nikia]

Lol, well that's a darned if you do and darned if you don't situation squirpy! Thanks I'll remember that.

I was reading where some of the artists on the net are doing that Warhead. I didn't think it would be a good thing to do. Sometimes while it looks good at the time, 20 years down the road it will start cracking or the paints will react to each other and it will look like mud. Not a good thing to have happen. Thanks for the info.