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10 Best Gouache Paint 2025 in the United States

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Our Top Picks

#1

Winner

Holbein Artist Gouache Set of 24 G715 : 24 x 15ml tubes

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,287
Pigment Quality
Opacity
Consistency

Most important from
172 reviews

Pigment Quality
The colors stay rich and vibrant after drying, unlike other brands that tend to look pastel or faded.
Opacity
Its coverage is excellent, providing true opacity without the chalky, pasty feel common in other gouache paints.
Consistency
This gouache blends beautifully and layers easily, making glazing and corrections much simpler.

The Holbein Artist Gouache Set of 24 is a strong choice for artists looking for high-quality gouache paints. These tubes contain vibrant, rich colors with very good pigment quality, meaning the colors are vivid and true to their labels. The paint offers excellent opacity, so it covers surfaces well without needing multiple layers. One of the standout features is its excellent lightfastness, which means your artwork will resist fading over time when exposed to light.

The consistency is smooth and creamy, making it easy to apply evenly, and it dries to a matte finish, typical for gouache. Holbein gouache is known to dry moderately fast, allowing for layering without long waits. Another benefit is good re-wettability—dried paint can be reactivated with water, making corrections and blending easier. On the downside, this set is not water resistant or waterproof after drying, so finished work should be protected from moisture.

It’s priced toward serious hobbyists or professional artists, which might be more than casual users need. The 15ml tubes offer a practical amount of paint, and the set covers a broad color range suitable for varied projects, both indoor and outdoor. This set suits artists who want dependable, richly pigmented gouache with strong coverage and lasting color, though it requires some care to protect finished works from water.

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,287
Pigment Quality
Opacity
Consistency

Most important from
172 reviews

Pigment Quality
The colors stay rich and vibrant after drying, unlike other brands that tend to look pastel or faded.
Opacity
Its coverage is excellent, providing true opacity without the chalky, pasty feel common in other gouache paints.
Consistency
This gouache blends beautifully and layers easily, making glazing and corrections much simpler.
#2

HIMI Twin Cup Jelly Gouache Paint Set, 112 Colors 12g, Jelly Cup Design, Gouache Paint Non Toxic for Canvas and Paper, Art Supplies for Professionals and Beginner (Ice Blue)

Rating
10.0
Pigment Quality
Re-wettability

Most important from
908 reviews

Pigment Quality
The paint quality works well and is satisfactory for both novices and more experienced users.
Re-wettability
These paints have great longevity, staying fresh for years when paired with HIMI Bottle Wetting Spray.

The HIMI Twin Cup Jelly Gouache Paint Set offers 112 vibrant colors that dry quickly, making it suitable for artists who need a wide color palette for their creations. The pigment quality appears to be high as the paint is described as long-lasting and capable of outperforming many alternatives, which is beneficial for both professionals and beginners.

This set's opacity should be satisfactory given the rich color palette, although individual testing might be necessary for specific opacity needs. The consistency of the paint is likely to be reliable thanks to the twin cup jelly design, which should help maintain the paint’s quality and freshness. The drying time is quick, which is a plus for artists who work swiftly or need to layer their work.

The compact and convenient design with double locks helps ensure that the paint stays secure and fresh, and the non-toxic feature makes it safe for all users. The product is well-suited for artistic creation on both canvas and paper. Customer satisfaction is a priority for the manufacturer, which adds a layer of reliability for potential buyers.

Rating
10.0
Pigment Quality
Re-wettability

Most important from
908 reviews

Pigment Quality
The paint quality works well and is satisfactory for both novices and more experienced users.
Re-wettability
These paints have great longevity, staying fresh for years when paired with HIMI Bottle Wetting Spray.
#3

Winsor & Newton Designers' Gouache Introductory 10-Tube Paint Set, 14ml,Blue,green,ivory,white

Rating
8.5
Pigment Quality
Opacity
Consistency

Most important from
2608 reviews

Pigment Quality
The paint quality elevates artwork significantly, blending smoothly and maintaining a rich, vibrant finish.
Opacity
This starter set offers both warm and cool primary colors that mix effortlessly, enabling a wide variety of hues with excellent thickness and opacity.
Consistency
The gouache has a silky, creamy consistency that is a joy to work with, surpassing even student-grade versions.

The Winsor & Newton Designers' Gouache Introductory Set offers 10 tubes of 14ml each, featuring strong pigment quality and excellent opacity, which means the colors cover well with a vibrant, matte finish. This set is designed for designers and beginners looking to explore gouache, providing primary colors that mix easily thanks to their tintable nature. The consistency is smooth and creamy, making it simple to apply on surfaces like canvas and cardboard as recommended. Drying time is moderate, allowing artists some flexibility to work and blend colors before the paint sets. One notable strength is the good re-wettability, so dried paint can be reactivated with water, which is handy for corrections or extended use.

Lightfastness, which relates to how well the colors resist fading over time, is generally reliable for this brand, though some colors may be less durable if exposed to strong sunlight for long periods. The tubes are a manageable size for beginners and everyday use, but professionals might find them small for larger projects. This set suits students, hobbyists, or designers new to gouache who want quality paints with vibrant colors and ease of use, but those needing very high lightfastness or larger volumes might want to consider more advanced or specialized sets.

Rating
8.5
Pigment Quality
Opacity
Consistency

Most important from
2608 reviews

Pigment Quality
The paint quality elevates artwork significantly, blending smoothly and maintaining a rich, vibrant finish.
Opacity
This starter set offers both warm and cool primary colors that mix effortlessly, enabling a wide variety of hues with excellent thickness and opacity.
Consistency
The gouache has a silky, creamy consistency that is a joy to work with, surpassing even student-grade versions.

Buying Guide for the Best Gouache Paint

Choosing the right gouache paint can significantly impact your painting experience and the quality of your artwork. Gouache paint is a versatile medium that combines the properties of watercolor and acrylic paint, offering vibrant colors and a matte finish. When selecting gouache paint, it's important to consider several key specifications to ensure you get the best product for your needs. Understanding these specifications will help you make an informed decision and find the perfect gouache paint for your artistic projects.
Pigment QualityPigment quality refers to the concentration and purity of the color in the paint. High-quality pigments provide more vibrant and long-lasting colors, while lower-quality pigments may fade over time. Artists' grade gouache typically contains higher pigment concentration and is more suitable for professional work, whereas student grade gouache has less pigment and is more affordable for beginners. If you are a professional artist or want the best color quality, opt for artists' grade gouache. For practice or learning, student grade may be sufficient.
OpacityOpacity is the ability of the paint to cover the surface beneath it. Gouache is known for its high opacity, which allows for solid, vibrant layers of color. However, the level of opacity can vary between brands and colors. More opaque paints are ideal for creating bold, solid areas of color and for layering without the underlying layers showing through. If you prefer a more transparent look or want to create subtle washes, you might choose a gouache with lower opacity. Consider your painting style and the effects you want to achieve when selecting the opacity level.
LightfastnessLightfastness measures how well the paint resists fading when exposed to light over time. This is particularly important if you plan to display your artwork or sell it, as you want the colors to remain vibrant for as long as possible. Paints with high lightfastness ratings are more resistant to fading, while those with lower ratings may fade more quickly. Check the lightfastness rating on the paint tubes or packaging, and choose paints with higher ratings if longevity is important for your work.
ConsistencyConsistency refers to the thickness and flow of the paint. Gouache can range from thick and creamy to more fluid and runny. Thicker gouache is great for creating textured effects and impasto techniques, while thinner gouache is better for smooth, even washes and fine details. Consider how you like to work and the techniques you use most often. If you prefer a versatile paint that can be adjusted with water, look for a consistency that suits your needs and can be easily modified.
Drying TimeDrying time is the amount of time it takes for the paint to dry once applied. Gouache generally dries quickly, but the exact drying time can vary depending on the brand and the thickness of the application. Faster drying times are useful for layering and working quickly, while slower drying times allow for more blending and manipulation of the paint. Think about your workflow and how you like to work with the paint. If you need more time to blend and adjust, choose a gouache with a slower drying time.
Re-wettabilityRe-wettability is the ability of the paint to be reactivated with water after it has dried. One of the unique properties of gouache is that it can be re-wet and worked on even after it has dried, unlike acrylic paint. This is useful for making corrections and adding details later on. However, some gouache paints re-wet more easily than others. If you want the flexibility to rework your paintings, look for gouache that has good re-wettability. If you prefer your work to remain more permanent, this may be less of a concern.

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