"Oh really, it's gouache?.. But is it better?"
I often hear this comment when painting outside. And my answer is simple: yes, for me, it's better. Here's why: oui, pour moi, c’est mieux. Voici pourquoi :
5 reasons to prefer gouache as an outdoor medium:
It invites you to go straight to the point.
Less fusion, more clear gestures. Gouache forces you to lay down shapes and capture masses. It's a school for the eye, not a colour gimmick.
It dries quickly, but not too quickly.
Unlike oil, you can fold your brushes quickly, without sacrificing exposure time. And unlike watercolour, it can be changed as long as you don't drown it.
It covers and erases.
Make a mistake? Go back over it. A doubt? Lighten with a damp cloth. Gouache forgives without making a mess.
It works on plain paper.
No need for canvases, mediums or solvents. All you need is a notebook and a palette.
It gives a matt, legible finish.
Perfect for capturing light without reflections, even in photography or video. What I paint, I really see. vraiment.
So no, gouache is not “less good” than oil or watercolour.
It's just more direct, more modest... and formidably effective for learning to see.
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