gouache

American  

[gwahsh, goo-ahsh, gwash] / gwɑʃ, guˈɑʃ, gwaʃ /

noun

gouaches plural

1. a technique of painting with opaque watercolors prepared with gum.

2. an opaque color used in painting a gouache.

3. a work painted using gouache.

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gouache British  

/ ɡʊˈɑːʃ /

noun

1. Also called: body colour.  a painting technique using opaque watercolour paint in which the pigments are bound with glue and the lighter tones contain white

2. the paint used in this technique

3. a painting done by this method

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• gouaches
  plural

Etymology

Origin of gouache

1880–85; < French < Italian guazzo place where there is water ≪ Latin aquātiō, derivative of aqua water

Explanation

Gouache is a kind of paint that some artists use. When you paint with gouache, you mix it with water. However, unlike watercolors, it's not translucent. Commercial artists often choose to use gouache for illustrations or posters. It has many qualities of watercolor paints (you can add water to thin it, and it dries matte rather than glossy), but the final effect is completely opaque, like acrylics or oil paints. You can also call the painting that results from using these paints a gouache. The word simply means "watercolor" in French, from the Latin root aquatio, "watering place."

Example Sentences

Gouache and watercolor paintings by around 50 Australian artists are on view in this exhibition of works from the museum’s collection.

From New York Times • May 13, 2016

Gouache on paper, cut and pasted, on white paper, mounted on canvas.

From Newsweek

Gouache painters need neither easels, oil, turpentine nor expensive canvas, can paint conveniently on anything from paper to wallboard.

From Time Magazine Archive

Gouache on paper, cut and pasted, and charcoal on paper, mounted on canvas.

From Newsweek

Citizens!" cried M. Gouache, "this state of things must continue no longer.

From Edmond Dantès by Flagg, Edmund