The Art of Gouache

If gouache is a medium you’ve been wanting to explore, this fantastic book gives you everything you need!

An often overlooked medium, Jeremy present this ‘opaque watercolour’ via using a wide variety of styles and subjects. Ge us a patient and confident teacher and it’s impossible not to be enthused by the results he produces here.

Quick-drying and water-based, gouache is the ideal medium for the beginner as it is so forgiving and work can be painted over if corrections are necessary. In The Art of Gouache, experienced author Jeremy Ford, introduces us to the medium, with information on materials and tools and comprehensive descriptions of techniques, including overlaying colours, colour blending and troubleshooting. Jeremy clearly illustrates the exciting possibilities the medium offers, with plenty of paintings in various styles to inspire you. Three step-by-step projects are included; Rosebay Willowherb; Ullswater Lake; and Red Onion Still Life.

‘Just as they did with Oil Pastels, Search Press have set out to rescue a Cinderella medium and, in Jeremy Ford, they’ve found an author who’s prepared not merely to look at the medium, but to champion and challenge it. A substantial book with plenty of illustrations, examples, lessons, exercises and demonstrations, this is as thorough and comprehensive a guide as you could wish for. Jeremy not only discusses materials and techniques, but looks at just about every way gouache can be used, from straightforward representation to poster-style and to images that look almost photographic. Subjects include landscapes, flowers, people and animals and there’s plenty of instruction as well as discussion of what you might want to do and how to tackle it.’

‘If you want to learn about gouache, this should keep you satisfied for a very long time.’

Read the full review here.

Jeremy Ford’s The Art of Gouache is a comprehensive and inspiring guide that opens up the exciting possibilities of this often-overlooked medium.

Perfect for artists, illustrators, and creative makers, this book provides everything needed to explore gouache with confidence, from essential techniques to expressive projects. Ford’s writing is clear, friendly, and approachable, demystifying the unique properties of gouache – a paint that bridges the gap between watercolour and acrylic with its rich opacity and versatility.

The book covers fundamental skills such as blending, layering, and glazing, as well as more advanced techniques like lifting out colour, working with resists, and creating textures. Throughout, Ford’s expert advice helps the reader build control and freedom with the medium.

What truly sets this book apart are the inspiring step-by-step projects that guide readers through painting a wide range of subjects, including landscapes, flowers, still life, and animals. Each project is accompanied by detailed photographs and thoughtful explanations, making the learning process both enjoyable and rewarding. As a watercolour painter I am finding this guide to be very helpful for experimenting with a different medium.

The book also highlights the advantages of gouache for sketchbook work, illustration, and design, encouraging artists to experiment and find their personal style. Ford’s own beautiful paintings, generously featured throughout, provide motivation and showcase the versatility and vibrancy that gouache can offer.

Whether you are new to gouache or looking to deepen your skills, The Art of Gouache is an excellent resource that blends practical guidance with creative inspiration. It deserves a place in the studio of any maker or painter seeking to unlock the potential of this expressive and adaptable medium.

Jeremy Ford studied Graphic Design at the Southport College of Art, and Illustration at the Harrow College of Art. He has been a successful freelance illustrator, artist, demonstrator and teacher since 1978 and has illustrated a wide variety of books and greetings cards. Jeremy is the author of How to Paint: Water Colours and Painting Pastel Landscapes. He lives in Yorkshire, UK and runs popular painting workshops and holidays.