10 Best Gouache Paint 2025 in the United States

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.

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.

Winsor & Newton Designer's Gouache in Burnt Umber offers excellent pigment quality, using finely ground pigments to deliver rich, vibrant color with strong opacity. This means your paint layers will cover underlying colors well, which is ideal for gouache techniques that rely on solid, matte finishes. Its lightfastness rating (ASTM I, permanence AA) ensures the color resists fading over time, making it a dependable choice for artwork meant to last.

The paint has a smooth, consistent texture that many artists find easy to work with, allowing for good control whether you’re layering or blending. It dries to a flat matte finish, typical of gouache, and can be re-wetted after drying, which helps with corrections or blending at later stages. While drying time is generally moderate, it may vary with thickness and environmental conditions; some users might notice it takes a bit longer to dry fully compared to other brands.

The 14 ml tube size is convenient for both beginners and more experienced painters who want a reliable color without committing to a larger quantity. A consideration is that the paint is mainly recommended for use on paper, so it might not perform as well on other surfaces. This gouache is well suited for artists looking for professional-quality, durable color with strong opacity and good re-wettability, making it a solid pick for detailed and layered gouache work.