Editing Gouache (section)

{{Short description|Type of paint}}
{{for-multi|the jazz album|Gouache (album){{!}}''Gouache'' (album)|the French wine grape|Gouache (grape)}}
[[File:Gouache.jpg|thumb|Gouache paints come in many colors and are usually mixed with water to achieve the desired working properties and to control the opacity when dry.]]
[[File:Jacob Philipp Hackert - Lago d'Averno - WGA11023.jpg|thumb|[[Jacob Philipp Hackert]], ''[[Lago d'Averno]]'', 1794]]

'''Gouache''' ({{IPAc-en|ɡ|u|ˈ|A:|ʃ|,_|ɡ|w|A:|ʃ}}; {{IPA|fr|ɡwaʃ|lang}}), '''body color''',{{efn|name=p|The alternative term "body color" is sometimes one word "bodycolor".}} or '''opaque watercolor''' is a water-medium paint consisting of [[Pigment|natural pigment]], water, a binding agent (usually [[gum arabic]] or [[dextrin]]),<ref name="Doerner1977">{{cite book|last1=Doerner|first1=Max |date=1977 |publisher=Gaade |location=Amerongen|isbn=9060178289 |title=Schilderkunst — materiaal en techniek |page= 113 }}</ref> and sometimes additional [[Chemically inert|inert material]]. Gouache is designed to be [[Opacity (optics)|opaque]]. Gouache has a long history, having been used for at least twelve centuries. It is used most consistently by [[commercial art]]ists for posters, illustrations, [[comics]], and other design work.

Gouache is similar to [[watercolor]] in that it can be rewetted and dried to a matte finish, and the paint can become infused into its paper support. It is similar to [[Acrylic paint|acrylic]] or [[oil paint]]s in that it is normally used in an opaque painting style and it can form a superficial layer. Many manufacturers of watercolor paints also produce gouache, and the two can easily be used together.