The Continuing Adventures of Gouache

You can make your own set of gouache pans

5x8 sketch made with my homemade gouache pan set. I made this one with the pans after I let the gouache dry so it was no longer syrupy and I had more control over the fluidity.

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If you've been following my column here on Substack, you'll remember that I'm a big fan of gouache that comes in pans. Lately, though, I've been experimenting with tubed gouache outdoors.

Why? Well, it's another thing to learn about, and for me, painting is all about learning.

As as plein air painter, I've always felt tubed gouache to be risky and wasteful. First of all, anything that comes in a tube and has to be squeezed out in the field can make a mess. (If oil paint came in pans, I'd buy them!) Second, I always end up squeezing out too much, and a big pile of dried tubed gouache doesn't rewet easily. Sure, I could use something like a Sta-Wet palette, much beloved of acrylic painters, but I find the product with its tricky cover, proprietary sponge layer and palette paper to be more trouble than it's worth.

But, gosh! I love the pans—easy to carry to the field, easy to clean up, easy to save paint.