Gouache paint is pretty popular, but it can be difficult to determine what surface you can paint on with it. It is most commonly described as a cross between watercolor paint and acrylic paint. It has an effect that is similar to watercolor with colors that resemble acrylic when it comes to canvas.
So, can you use gouache paint on a canvas? While it is possible to use gouache paint on canvas, it isn’t recommended if you can help it. Gouache is most commonly used on rough and rigid surfaces, such as watercolor paper. This is due to the fact that gouache isn’t a flexible paint when dry and it is prone to cracking and flaking.
You can definitely use it, but you might need to prep the canvas prior to painting on it. Also, you might have a hard time getting the gouache paint to bind to the canvas. There is a way around this, as you just need to make sure you prep the canvas as best you can before you start painting. How can you do that? Let’s find out.
How Do You Prepare a Canvas for Gouache?
When you are choosing a canvas for your gouache project, you need to be picky. Canvas has the tendency to warp or ripple when it gets too wet, so you need to make sure you have a canvas that can withstand that. It is recommended to use a stretched canvas or canvas board as they are better suited to handle the wet paint.
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.
You should avoid a canvas that has been primed with acrylic primer. Priming the canvas with an acrylic primer can prevent the gouache from bonding to the canvas. When the canvas is pre-primed, the paint can bead up and take some extra work to stick to the canvas.
For a canvas, I highly recommend this Stretched Canvas Set. I use this brand and set for mu gouache paint projects, and my paintings always turn out great.
To get the best results for your gouache canvas, you can add a few layers of watercolor ground. This is an absorbent kind of primer that will allow the gouache to soak in and properly adhere to the surface. You just brush the watercolor ground on the canvas and let it dry.
Preparing your canvas before painting will allow you to properly execute different gouache painting techniques. This will mostly help with creating opaque layers, due to the fact that you will not need to use as much water for the paints.
Another way you can prepare your canvas for painting is using gesso. The process is simple as you only need to paint a layer or two on to the canvas and let it dry, but we will get into that. The gesso will act as an absorbent layer and help the paint adhere easier. I use Liquitex Gesso when I prime my canvas because it gets the jib done, and it also works for oil paint and acrylics.
Do You Need Gesso for Gouache?
It is common for gouache and gesso to be confused with each other, and it can be difficult to remember which is which and what they are used for. The biggest difference between the two is that gesso can be worked over after it has dried, making it a great option for a primer.
Gesso is a way of priming a canvas for use with acrylic paints. It is slightly similar to white acrylic paint, except it is thinner. When gesso dries, it makes the surface hard and stiff to prepare for the acrylic paint. You can also use gesso to prime for gouache on paper.
Another great brand for gesso is Sargent Art Gesso Primer. This brand is also very well known, and does an amazing job.
If you use gesso on paper, do you also need to use it on your canvas to prepare it for gouache? While it is not needed, it can offer some benefits to your painting. It acts as a protective layer that can absorb the gouache paint for better adhesion.
It is not necessary to use gesso with gouache paint for your canvas, however, it’s recommended by most artists. The gesso will enhance the absorbency of the paint, as well as add some stability to the canvas.
This will prevent cracking or flaking in more permanent pieces of art. Gouache will easily adhere to a canvas that you have primed with gesso.
Using gesso can also minimize the amount of water you need to add to the gouache to get the best outcome. This will reduce the amount of water used for the project, which will give you a better result with the canvas.
Preparing your canvas with gesso is a really easy process. The first thing you need to do is wet the canvas. You can do this with a wet sponge and lightly press the water into the surface and the sides of the canvas. In the container, stir the gesso thoroughly.
Pour some of the gesso into a plastic cup, just enough to cover the whole canvas. You can get more if you need to, but it is not recommended to put gesso back in the container.
Add water to the cup up gesso and stir to reach the right consistency. Brush the gesso on and let it dry thoroughly before you start painting.
How to Seal Gouache Paint on a Canvas?
One of the most common questions asked when working with gouache is how to properly seal it, especially on canvas. If you are painting your canvas just for fun, you can easily use a watercolor varnish to seal your gouache painting.
This Sax Watercolor Varnish is my top recommendation as a gouache paint sealant. It comes in a high gloss finish, and also make your painting waterproof.
If you are going to be selling your artwork, you will need to make sure you properly varnish the painting. That means the final layer of varnish needs to be easily removable so it can be replaced when necessary. For gouache paint, this process is pretty easy.
The first thing you will need to do is wait for your painting to dry. As soon as your painting is dry, you will apply the first layer of varnish. This first layer is responsible for permanently sealing the surface and making is waterproof. This layer will not be removable and needs to be suitable for watercolor paints.
After the first layer of varnish has completely dried, you will add a second layer with an isolation coat. An isolation coat is a layer that will be non-removable, non-yellowing, and clear. Usually, this layer will be an acrylic product. This layer will seal the surface of your painting and provide a protective barrier for the painting.
Finally, you will add the removable varnish. This is applied after the isolation coat because it will need to be removed in the future for proper cleaning. This allows the top layer to be removed without damaging the painting underneath.
Final Thoughts
Gouache is a tricky paint because it has characteristics of both watercolor paints and acrylic paints. This can limit the type of surfaces you can use the paint on, but it doesn’t have to. If you want to use gouache paints on canvas, you can if you do it properly.
The best way to paint with gouache paints on canvas it to properly prime the canvas first. Make sure the canvas is not pre-primed, and avoid priming it with an acrylic primer. You will get the best results with gesso or a watercolor ground. When you are finished with your painting, you will need to seal it.