Gouache is a wonderful medium which can be used to create striking graphical works of art. They can be used to produce paintings with matt, opaque colours.
Whether you're a beginner looking for new materials to try or an artist looking for professional-grade art supplies, we've got something to suit you.
If you're new to gouache painting, it's still a great idea to buy a good quality gouache paint set rather than the cheapest ones available. A decent set of gouache paints doesn't have to be expensive and will last you a long time.
So what is gouache paint? It's essentially a water-based paint that is opaque and can be used alongside watercolour paints. It's made with natural pigments, water and a binding agent.
Gouache paint is a good choice if you're looking for something between watercolour paints and acrylic paints.
Before you begin, take a look at our gouache painting guide guide for some expert tips to help you get started.
When you're choosing a gouache paint set, it's a good idea to look for a brand with a good reputation such as Winsor & Newton or Caran d'Ache.
Read on to explore our pick of the best gouache paints to buy in 2024…
7 best gouache paints to buy in 2024
1. Royal & Langnickel gouache paint set
This inexpensive gouache paint set is good value for students or beginners who want to try gouache painting for the first time. It has a selection of rich shades for you to experiment with and you can use these paints while you master the basic skills of gouache painting.
If you decide that you love gouache as a painting medium, you can always upgrade to a more expensive gouache paint set at a later date.
- Buy the Royal & Langnickel gouache paint set in the US from Amazon
- Buy the Royal & Langnickel gouache paint set in the UK from Amazon
2. Daler Rowney Aquafine gouache paint starter set
If you're not sure if you want to do a lot of gouache paintings and want to test out the medium, then this is a good set to buy. It contains six tubes of gouache, which all come in bright shades.
This is a great choice for beginners – these tubes will last for a long time and you can always buy additional tubes of Daler Rowney gouache paints if you want to try out other colours. Daler Rowney is known for producing quality art supplies and this set doesn't disappoint.
- Buy Daler Rowney Aquafine gouache in the US from Amazon
- Buy Daler Rowney Aquafine gouache in the UK from Amazon
3. Liquitex Professional Acrylic gouache set
Looking for a gouache paint that's more opaque? These paints are designed to "take opacity to the limit". Liquitex gouache paints are a good option for illustrators thanks to their smooth, matt colours that don't reflect the light. They're ideal to use if you're planning to scan your paintings to create your own digital illustrations.
Normal gouache paints can run if you try to paint over the top, but because these are acrylic gouache paints you can build up layers without any bleeding. You don't need to add water to start painting with Liquitex either – they can be used straight from the bottle.
- Buy Liquitex Professional Acrylic gouache in the US from Dick Blick
- Buy Liquitex Professional Acrylic gouache in the UK from Amazon
4. Winsor & Newton Designers Gouache Introductory paint set
This gouache paint set from Winsor & Newton may sound small (it only contains 10 tubes), but you really are getting a set of excellent quality paints. The paints are intended for designers with fast-drying, vibrant shades. They are non-reflective, so are suitable for digital scanning.
If you're an amateur artist, you'll be able to use this gouache paint set to create professional-looking works of art. A little of this paint goes a long way, but you may want to buy extra tubes of white or black gouache to accompany the set as these are the colours which tend to run out quickly.
- Buy Winsor & Newton Designers gouache in the US from Amazon
- Buy Winsor & Newton Designers gouache in the UK from Amazon
5. Caran d'Ache Studio gouache paint set
This gouache paint set is small yet mighty! Caran d'Ache is another brand that has a great reputation for quality. These paints have a smooth consistency and the set includes a selection of eight rich colours.
This set has a palette inside the lid and comes with a brush, so it's a handy gouache set to take with you if you're travelling.
- Buy the Caran d'Ache Studio gouache paint set in the US from Amazon
- Buy the Caran d'Ache Studio gouache paint set in the UK from Amazon
Master the art of watercolour painting
Lots of artists like to combine gouache and watercolour painting, as the two mediums complement each other well. Read Gathered's watercolour painting guide to get started!
6. Schmincke Küppers' Akademie Gouache paint set
Schmincke is a German company which produces fantastic products for artists and this gouache set is ideal for professionals. The paints are lightfast, so won't fade over time.
These paints are richly pigmented and come in more generous 60ml tubes, so they're likely to last a very long time. The coverage of the paint is excellent and you're bound to be pleased with the results.
- Buy Schmincke Küppers' Akademie gouache paint set in the UK from Amazon
7. Himi gouache
Himi gouache paint sets are very popular with amateur artists. They're non-toxic, so they're safe for young children to use too. Unlike most other types of gouache, Himi gouache paints come in sealed pots and have a rich, creamy consistency.
The texture of the paint is something between watercolour and gouache, so if you're looking for a more opaque colour it's worth buying a different set. Make sure you seal the pots when you're not using them so the paint doesn't harden.
- Buy Himi gouache in the US from Amazon
- Buy Himi gouache in the UK from Amazon
Show off your skills with the best gouache paint
Great art starts with choosing the right materials! It's challenging to produce your best work if your paints aren't up to scratch.
Fortunately, there are lots of brilliant options available to suit all budgets, whether you're an art student or a professional painter.
Gouache can be used to produce stunning illustrations and paintings with a matt finish. It's available in a beautiful array of colours too.
Once you've picked the best gouache paint set, you just need to decide what to paint!
Spark your creativity with our gouache painting ideas
Not sure where to begin? If you're looking for inspiration or a starting point for your own original designs, check out Gathered's favourite gouache painting ideas.
Featured image by iStock/yacobchuk
