Gouache with PVA as a replacement for oil and acrylic
Acrylic is expensive, oil is expensive, and it also takes a long time to dry. What if you just want to try painting something on canvas? Just one picture for which you don’t want to spend “mad thousands” on paints that will then just sit idle? Or you are just learning, or drawing with children, or just drawing for yourself. In any of these cases, the gouache + PVA glue duo comes to the rescue.
My ceramist friends taught me this technique, and I used this mixture for a long time both for drawing on canvas and for painting figurines - yes, it can be used for anything. By the way, they say that boxes with traditional ornaments are painted with the same mixture.
After mixing with PVA, gouache becomes more durable, fits well on canvas or other surface, does not crumble, and also holds volume. And all this is on long years(the title picture was drawn 6 years ago and still no changes).
At the same time, if the work did not work out or is boring, open the tap with hot water and in one minute everything is washed away almost without a trace. And the canvas does not disappear, but goes back to work.
What you will need:
- PVA glue
- the most common gouache - 9 or 12 colors
- stacks or some sticks for mixing paints
- what you will draw on
- brushes (I use flat ones, like for oil)
- paper or rag for wiping brushes and stacks
- palette
- inspiration
We pour PVA glue into the palette cell at a rate of approximately 1 to 1 with paint, or 1 to 2 - look at the volume, the thickness of the paint, it is better to first experiment with different proportions.
Mix with paint. If you need to get new shade- then first mix this shade, and then pour in PVA, because until it dries, it creates the illusion of a lighter color.
You will get such a voluminous mixture - that’s it, put it on a brush and paint.
You can rub it on the canvas thin layer, or you can put it volumetrically.
After drying: the first strip on the left is gouache without PVA, in the middle there is voluminous gouache with PVA, on the right, the lightest gouache with PVA is crushed (see how much better the gouache + PVA mixture looks? And the one without glue is already ready to fall off)
To fix the finished picture, you can cover it with an additional layer of PVA or varnish (but if you use varnish, you won’t be able to wash off this picture with water).
And more tips:
*PVA glue is actually a treasure. With its help you can salt dough make it look like plastic if you add it to water
*Gouache and PVA give a durable layer; they are used to paint boxes.
Also, for a durable layer, you can use gouache + egg composition (yolk + pigment), you get egg tempera, icons are painted with this composition.
*If you add flour to PVA+gouache, you get voluminous contours that are super durable and easy to use
*You can paint with a mixture of gouache+PVA and glass
Both experienced and novice artists care about painting their masterpieces. However, if the former have long ago decided on the choice of optimal paints, then the latter may be somewhat confused. On the one hand, I would like to give preference to bright, thick gouache. However, on the other side of the scale are acrylic paints, which today enjoy wide popularity among creative people. What are the advantages and weak sides these materials? Let's try to figure out how gouache differs from acrylic paint.
Definitions
Gouache– a type of water-soluble adhesive-based paints with a dense matte texture. The product has rich history, because it was used back in medieval Europe. However, the term arose only in the 18th century in France. During the Middle Ages, gouache in combination with watercolor was used to create book miniatures. Renaissance artists used the material to make sketches and other preparatory work. The heyday of technology occurred at the end of the 19th – beginning of the 20th centuries. Domestic artists painted theatrical costumes and posters with gouache, created sketches of scenery and large easel works. By the way, with french word gouache translates to " water paint" It is made from adhesive pigments mixed with white. The latter give the paint a spectacular matte velvety finish. Despite the fact that gouache is independent equipment, it is extremely rarely used by professional artists. Many artists consider it suitable only for creating children's drawings and designing posters.
Gouache
Acrylic paint– water-dispersed paint made on the basis of polyacrylates and their copolymers. It is used both in painting and in construction when carrying out outdoor and interior works. It acts as a worthy alternative to oil paints. It can be applied to paper or planes in liquid (with the addition of water) or paste form. The last option is the most popular among professional artists. Acrylic does not crack, lays down as an even film, is slightly shiny and does not require fixing. Sometimes the paintings he painted resemble works done with watercolors or oil paints. However, in most cases, acrylic has a unique color rendition that is unattainable in other areas. visual arts. Largely due to this, he enjoys wide popularity among contemporary artists.
Acrylic paints Comparison
The first difference lies in the composition of the products we are interested in. Gouache is made with the addition of white. In this regard, the paint after drying becomes significantly lighter and becomes matte. In general, the composition of gouache is similar to watercolor. Whereas water-dispersed acrylic has a structure similar to oil paints. It dries very quickly, which cannot be said about gouache. As long as the paint remains wet, it will not special labor can be washed off with water. Acrylic is highly resistant, it does not fade in the sun, and does not spread when applying a new layer. With gouache everything is exactly the opposite. But it is much thicker and denser than acrylic paint. Due to the high content of coloring pigments, gouache is characterized by a very saturated color, and the pattern it creates is opaque. Acrylic paints lie on the surface much smoother, as if forming an invisible film on it. After drying they darken a little. Gouache gives a thicker and uneven layer. The transitions from one shade to another are quite abrupt.
Another significant difference gouache from acrylic paint lies in the area of application of the materials. As a rule, the first is used for drawing on paper of any thickness, less often for painting fabrics. Acrylic is characterized by a wide range of applications. It is indispensable for painting ceilings, walls and other surfaces on a wooden or metal base. Creating drawings, painting on glass, decorating ceramic products, applying images to fabric and leather, airbrushing - the list of possibilities of acrylic paints is very extensive. This explains the relatively high cost of the material. If gouache is sold exclusively in sets with a certain number of jars in a box, then acrylic paints are often sold individually. They are bottled in a wide variety of bottles, be it miniature tubes of 20 ml or large bottles with the capacity of a standard glass.
Let's summarize what is the difference between gouache and acrylic paint.
| Gouache | Acrylic paint |
| Water-soluble paint made with the addition of white | Water-dispersed paint based on polyacrylates |
| The composition is similar to watercolor | The structure is identical to oil paints |
| Lightens after drying | It gets darker as it dries |
| Dries within a few hours | Dries in 10-15 minutes |
| Dissolves when exposed to water | Does not spread when applying a new layer |
| Not very durable and prone to fading | The stability is very high |
| Has a dense, thick and opaque texture | More fluid, lighter and transparent |
| Characterized by a very rich shade | The colors are much paler |
| Lays down in a thick, uneven layer | Lays down perfectly evenly, as if forming an invisible film on the surface |
| Transitions between shades are sharp | Transitions are smooth and imperceptible |
| Used for painting on fabric and paper | Has a wide range of applications |
| Affordable cost | The price is much higher |
| Sold in sets | Sold both in sets and individually |
| Fits in standard jars with a lid | Available in jars, tubes and bottles of various sizes |
Today is the day when I show and talk about my acrylic and the tools used with it. The coatings on which you can work with acrylic are an endless number of options. The variety of acrylic paints is also amazing. Packaging from tubes to small and huge cans and cans! I do not consider artistic acrylic separately from what is used for finishing the premises and exteriors of buildings. All acrylic paints are compatible with each other and, for example, White color For me, this is definitely a Tikkurila bank.))
I love working with acrylic on canvas, on any rough surfaces (walls, for example). Excellent and affordable - on Goznak for watercolors stretched on a tablet.
Acrylic essentially replaces even oil paints. They just have to work quickly!
Acrylic can be used in any consistency; it’s great to paint with ink over a coating of acrylic paint, just like over a primer! Sheer pleasure.
Acrylic is eternal inspiration and experiments!
Like this work. Drawn by hand back in 2010. The format is slightly larger than A1.
I discovered this material for myself at the same time as I took part in the production for the first time. wall painting. I immediately gave the gouache to the children. I fell in love with the material.
Its possibilities are endless!
Description this time with more examples. But how else?)
I have the most common art acrylic - Ladoga.
I make sketches of their murals, art book spreads and sometimes other works. In my collection, the colors in the tubes are always simple. I mix everything that can be mixed on the palette. I can select and mix colors by eye using tints. Thanks to Soviet gouache and art school for this.)
The external paint collection is small, as there is no room for it yet. I distributed all the large jars left over from the paintings to those who need them more now. I'm temporarily on hiatus from this material, for some pleasant reasons.)
For an art book and creative exhalations - an irreplaceable, plastic material!
Several spreads from 2013. 
When selecting material for today’s post, I discovered a lot of interesting and forgotten things. It turns out I have a lot of works done with acrylic and almost all of them are work myself.))
This is a sketch for a failed painting. A3 format. 
Several jars of artistic acrylic have been in my possession for more than one painting and I will not give them to anyone. I only took out two cans from the top shelf.
I rarely use Pebeo, but I really like the one with the elephant. Brown color She has my love. And I can’t have too much black paint either.)
For paintings, I take all the light and saturated colors in jars - tinted ones, and dark ones I take like this.
Here is a brown one from the series with an elephant (the jar on the left in the previous photo).
This is also a sketch fragment for the painting. A2 format. 
I paint the walls with this paint. She's beautiful.
I recently gave away 9 jars...Almost brand new. When you have so much paint, you don’t even think about saving! 
Sketch and the last wall painting to date.
It just so happened that it was colored. There is a sketch and a color one. but I like monochrome better.) 
One of the first paintings. Height - 2.4 m.
Of course, I would do much better now! But it's still beautiful. The main thing is the mood. 
Process.
What other material will give so much freedom and the ability to cover a large area! 
This is the varnish used to cover the paintings on the walls. My jar has been removed somewhere, this is a picture from the Internet.
Matt lacquer. Only the manufacturer Tikkuril has one. 
I have significantly more brushes than for any other materials. Everything here was purchased for painting. That's how I use it. Taking care will prolong the life of your brushes. Some things, of course, don't survive...
Sketch for the painting. 
The larger the brush, the faster the painter will do the job!
But this is already for artistic matters. And for large fills - construction brushes. Bristles, synthetics. But I don’t keep them on the table. 
The messiest one in the previous photo is a participant in this process. And nothing, after the façade acrylic - she’s alive.)
Wash your brushes promptly, comrades!
These are my favorite brushes. This is exactly the series. I bring beauty with them. I draw lines with them...)
And when they become worn, I dedicate them to oil brushes. There are already some here.
When I go to the store, I buy the same favorite sizes, not remembering the numbers, just out of love.)
More from the collection. There are synthetic rubles and gamma and columns and small bristles.
stubble beautiful effects you can do it. I think this can be compared with the properties that goat calligraphy brushes have. 
One more part...
The range has very successful synthetic brushes. The blue pens are actually from a school set. I took it from someone, I can’t find the updated version.(
I was very pleased with the brush I received as a gift in the store (far right in the photo). It is easy for her to make neat contours. Smooth and patterned.
After the fan columns (on the left), the columns suffered on multi-meter areas of the walls.
I still buy it for painting. Let him turn into this every time (see next photo)! I love it because!
Paint usually costs the same as brushes. Only the primary colors are tinted for painting, the rest is mixed on the spot using tints. Economical, convenient. 
Here they are, the sufferers. On the left are two after the wall, on the right is an almost new core brush.
They wear off on a rough surface. 
How would I cope with grapes on the ceiling without speakers?)) 
I have several palette knives. I'm not great at using them, but sometimes I get naughty.) (See next image.)
I also redraw the paint, squeeze the brushes out of the paint...
Anyone who hasn’t seen my old works will probably be surprised now that this selection is still modest.)
I am drawn to the unusual with acrylic, here are a few works as an example of how differently you can work with this material:
From transparency to saturation, to stroke relief, this is an opportunity, not a mistake!
Acrylic is like watercolor combined with graphics. Pen ink.
Any stories! Here about the forest lake.
Colored paper is included in the submission! A palette knife was used. There should be a bucket of white paint.)
On cardboard, why not.)
Monotype. Black craft.
Be sure to try adding a drop of alcohol or vodka into a non-dried liquid acrylic pour! Unfortunately, there is no example. But this must be done for the sake of the process.)
This is just a small piece of what is possible.
So. I got distracted, now about additional helpers in working with acrylic paint.
I am a big nature lover and try to minimize the amount of plastic and trash I use. I won't buy the package again. I go to the store with a reusable or rag bag.. But only for the sake of working with acrylic I collect and use plastic utensils.)) Plates - palettes. I manage to wash them and use them several times, my colleagues laugh...) Spoons and knives - apply paint (easier to wash than brushes). Glasses - for water on the stepladder with you and for auxiliary flowers. For the night (you can also large quantity time) glasses with paint are covered with cling film and tape.
For acrylic, you can use glass plates as palettes. The paint is washed off warm water. Removed with film. (Not façade, this is about artistic acrylic). 
Very necessary thing, close the edges of the painting and make straight lines, pack the paint after painting, stick a sketch or stencil to the wall. 
There is not much material, but the prospects are limitless.) Material without rules. Material of the future.
Trying, playing around, PAINTING, repainting, looking for what you love and what you love, creating... this is acrylic paint for me.
In the Academy of Arts, I think that’s why acrylic is not in honor.
Thank you for your attention!!!
Today we continue to answer the most popular questions regarding acrylic paints. In the first part of this article we have already discussed many interesting issues.
Is it possible to paint with acrylic paints on fabric?
Any acrylic will adhere to fabric or leather, but we recommend using special ones: they create a flexible coating that will not begin to crack when the material is bent) and contain a heat-setting resin, thanks to which the paint layer will acquire special strength after exposure to temperature (ironing or drying hairdryer).Acrylic paints are distinguished by their bright colors, flexible paint coating and high resistance to aggressive conditions. In this regard, if you correctly apply the design to the fabric, you don’t have to worry about it. Acrylic will not peel off, wrinkle or crumble. This paint easily tolerates temperature changes, mechanical stress and is not susceptible to moisture.
Is it possible to paint with acrylic paint on enamel?
It is advisable to apply a coating of acrylic paint to enamel under certain conditions. Some types of dyes are incompatible, so a neutral intermediate layer is required. To prevent acrylic paint from “curling” the enamel, apply a layer between them that will be resistant to both acrylic and organic solvents. Cover the enamel with liquid putty, and then.
Is it possible to paint batteries with acrylic paint?
Can. Since the temperature of heating radiators is 95-100°, they are often coated with acrylic paints. Acrylic can easily withstand this temperature.
Is it possible to paint metal with acrylic paint?
Coating steel, aluminum, copper and other metal objects with acrylic is not only possible, but also necessary to increase service life and protect the surface. Acrylic can prevent corrosion. In addition, acrylic paint is characterized by strong adhesion to the surface being painted, resistance to temperature changes and resistance to metal deformation.
Is it possible to paint wood with acrylic paint?
Acrylic painting on wood is quite popular. The peculiarity of acrylic paints is that they are easily washed off with water during use and form a durable film after drying. It is resistant to moisture and aggressive influences. Wooden surface under the acrylic coating it can “breathe” and is also protected from pests.
Is it possible to mix acrylic paints with gouache?
The combination of acrylic and gouache is allowed, since both paints are water based. At the same time, the properties of the pigments will be preserved. If you don’t have a color scheme at hand, then mixing these colors is great way achieve the desired shade.
Is it possible to paint on nails with acrylic paint?
Acrylic paints are widely in demand due to their advantages over other pigments. Acrylic is so versatile that it can be used on almost any surface, including nail plates. Paints applied as a manicure or pedicure provide bright and rich shades. Good solubility with water during work, ease of mixing to obtain all kinds of tones and quick drying have ensured acrylic popularity in nail service. In addition, acrylic paints, unlike other water-based pigments, do not dissolve after hardening, which makes it possible to apply additional elements into the drawing. Acrylic design is resistant to sun rays and allows the nails to “breathe”.
