Gouache is a popular type of paint due to it’s watercolor-like consistency, and acrylic-like opacity. You can purchase gouache in tubes, jelly cups, or a palette pan set. It used to be common to find gouache in palette pan sets, but it is harder to find these days.
So, can you put gouache paint in pans? Yes, since gouache paint is water-based, you can definitely put it in pans. All you need to do is squeeze the paint into the pan. Fill it halfway first, tap the bottom to help the paint settle, and then fill it the rest of the way to the top. Make sure to use an air tight container.
Can You Use Gouache After It Dries?
Gouache is a great paint to use for many reasons, but the top reason is that it can still be used after it dries. If you are dealing with dried gouache in a tube, jelly cup, or pan, all you need to do to be able to use the paint again is add some water.
My favorite and top pick is always Arteza Gouache Paints. They have so many different colors, and the quality is amazing! I usually use Arteza Paints for all my projects.
When rehydrating gouache, it can be tricky to get the proper consistency for the paint. You need to be careful not to add too much water or it will be too runny. Not adding enough water can leave your painting looking streaky. It is recommended to start with just two drops of water and add more if necessary.
It is also possible to use glycerin to rewet your paint. If you have glycerin on hand, just add a couple of drops to your paint. This will also help prevent mold growth in the future.
Can You Store Gouache in a Palette?
If you want to store your gouache in a palette, it’s definitely possible. However, you need to be incredibly picky when choosing which palette you are going to store the paint in. It is recommended to use an airtight palette to protect your paints as much as possible.
I highly recommend Topwhere Leakproof Palette, to store you gouache paints in. It comes with an air tight lid, and it’s guaranteed to be leakproof.
There are even palettes that have additional room for mixing colors. This makes it easy for you to store your paints in one place while still having space to create your perfect color. This feature is incredibly convenient, especially if you like to take your paints with you outside or on vacation.
The material of the palette does not matter as much as the airtight ability. There are metal, plastic, and ceramic palettes out there all with the ability to keep air away from your paint. The material you choose depends completely on your preference.
Can You Reactivate Gouache?
Reactivating gouache is a very easy process. There are only a few tools you will need to reactivate your gouache. These tools include your paint, a knife of some type, water, a bowl, and a water dropper. The water dropper is essential for controlling how much water gets put into the paint.
If your gouache paint is in a jelly cup or other type of container, you will need to scrape the dried paint out of it with the knife you have. Once you get the paint out, set it aside in the bowl. Wash the container completely and make sure it is dry. If the container has a screw rim, make sure that is extra clean.
If your gouache is in a tube, you will have to cut the tube open to reactivate it. Open the tube up, scrape the paint out, and set it aside in the bowl. It is important to remember that if you do have to cut open your tubes, you need an extra container or palette on hand to put the reactivated paint in.
After you get the paint out of the container and into the bowl, you are going to want to turn it into a powder. If you have a pestle and mortar, that’s perfect. If you don’t, use the back of a spoon or something similar.
The water you are going to use should be warm. Using a water dropper like this one here, slowly add a couple of drops of water to the dried paint. Start with one or two drops, mix the paint, then add more as needed. Avoid adding too much water from the start because it can greatly impact the consistency of the paint.
As you add your water, keep mixing the paint thoroughly. This will ensure that no clumps form. As soon as your paint is the proper consistency and free of clumps, you can put it back in the container you have ready for it.
It is important to remain patient when you are reactivating your gouache. It could take several minutes for clumps to disappear and for the paint to become the right consistency again. Don’t get discouraged if it takes more than a minute to mix your paint.
Gouache will even reactivate on your painting after it has dried. If the painting gets wet, the gouache will reactivate. To avoid this, you will want to seal your paining to protect the paint and keep it safe from any potential moisture. I use Krylon Sealer Spray to seal my gouache paintings.
How Do You Keep Mold Out of Gouache?
Mold is a common problem with gouache paints, and it can make your paints smell bad. Mold grows in the paint when your paint is exposed to oxygen. You will easily be able to tell if there is mold in your paint, because it will smell similar to rotten eggs.
Check out this article that goes over Gouache Paint Smelling Bad. It’s worth a read if your gouache paint has mold, or smells.
If you notice that there is already mold in your paint, you can try adding a couple of drops of ammonia into the paint to kill the mold. In addition to killing the mold, the ammonia will also help kill the bad smell that is coming from the paint.
To prevent mold from growing in your gouache in the first place, there are a couple of things you can do. First, always make sure that your paint is closed up as tight as possible. If your paint is in a tube, make sure the lid is screwed on all the way. If your paint is in a palette, make sure the palette is airtight.
I recommend using an airtight Gouache Paint Container to store all you paints in. You definitely want a seal proof and leakproof lid, to avoid mold from growing.
Some artists are known for mixing honey into their gouache paint to prevent mold from growing. This is due to the fact that honey produces hydrogen peroxide, which fights mold and acts as a cleaner. Other artists will add glycerin to their paint to prevent mold growth. This is because glycerin works as a preservative.
Final Thoughts
Gouache is a great paint to use for a wide variety of projects. It is most common to find gouache sold in tubes or jelly cups, but pan sets remain popular. You can make your own pan palette if you prefer, and the process is as easy as squeezing the paint into the palette.
It is important to make sure the palette you choose is airtight. This will keep your paints wet for as long as possible. Luckily, gouache is water-based, so it can be reactivated if it does dry up. All it takes to reactivate the paint is a little bit of water.
Make sure to follow all my tips and recommended products to ensure your gouache paint remains safe and mold free. Also, don’t forget to check out my other articles for all your painting Q&A’s. Happy painting!