The 12 Best Gouache Paints of 2020

Which are the best gouache paints on the market? That’s the question that we set out to answer a few weeks ago.

After much experimentation, we’ve arrived at a list of 12 outstanding products. These paints are notable for their vibrant colors and their ability to mix with each other and with other paints to achieve unique effects.

We also looked at lightfastness, viscosity and the array of colors offered to determine which gouache collections belonged on this list. If you’re interested in enjoying the world of opaque watercolor painting, then this is the list you need.

12 Best Gouache Paint Sets on the Market:

1. M. Graham Half-Ounce Tube 5-Color Gouache Paint Primary Set

Good priced and featuring five half-ounce tubes of the most popular colors, this is the best gouache paint set because the paints are made with honey.

This ensures rich color and prevents the paint from hardening. With yellow, red, blue, black and white, the painter has everything they need to start working on basic gouache projects.

Each of these paints is packed with pigment to provide deep, intense color regardless of the media used. A reflective matte finish is suitable for use alone or in a mixed-media application.

No chalk or opacifying adulterants are used in the formula, and each paint is manufactured in the USA.

Each lightfast pigment boasts extraordinary tinting strength and is incredibly opaque. Natural ingredients like gum Arabic and honey ensure perfect flow and moistness as well as resistance to cracking.

People who have tried several brands of gouache paint frequently say that this product from M. Graham is their favorite. The honey binder is universally praised as is the consistency of the paints. However, a few consumers complain that some of the paint tubes are prone to bursting.

M. Graham manufactures some of the best gouache paints available. Try them on your next project.

2. Winsor & Newton Designers’ Gouache Primary Color 6-Tube Paint Set

Winsor & Newton is recognized as one of the best gouache paint brands. Containing six colors and budget-friendly, this primary set is an excellent choice for beginners. The 0.47-oz tubes are the perfect size for playing and experimentation.

Each painting in the collection features brilliant color and a matte finish. Winsor & Newton has been manufacturing their Designers Gouache paint since 1935. While some things, such as the outstanding quality of the product, have remained the same, improvements have been made in other areas.

These gouache paints are now more opaque, brilliant and smoother than they were in earlier decades.

Used by fine artists, designers and calligraphers, fans of these paints say that they are incredibly bright and cover extremely well since they are so full of pigment. Moreover, the paint doesn’t lift off when adding layers. Some people do say that they feel the set is too expensive.

Many people swear by Winsor & Newton Designers Gouache paints because of their outstanding quality.

3. Pelikan Opaque Watercolor Paint Set, 24 Colors Plus Chinese White Tube

Pelikan is known for producing artist grade gouache. This particular collection contains 24 colors plus a bonus tube of Chinese White. This affordable set is a tremendous bargain.

The paints are stored within a box that is opened with a push button. Each paint is in the form of a hollowed tablet to ensure fast solubility.

Users may remove the lid to use it for mixing. These high-end paints are an incredible value at this price. That’s especially true considering that they are lightfast and non-toxic.

Fans remark that these are the best gouache paints thanks to their bright, vibrant hues. Although the price may be ultra-affordable, the paint quality is unmistakable.

Occasionally, critics say that they must use much more of this paint than other brands to achieve the same effect.

Pelikan is a trustworthy brand when it comes to paints and brushes.

4. Royal & Langnickel GOU24 Gouache Color Artist Tube Paint

This 24-pack of 12-mL paints quality gouache paints sells for good price, making it an outstanding value. With medium viscosity, these paints are formulated for excellent mixing characteristics and for improved coverage.

When reading a gouache review, it may be helpful to know more about the manufacturer of the paint. This product is made by Royal & Langnickel, a firm with more than 60 years of experience in the art world.

These paints reactivate well with the addition of a bit of water. It’s also nice that the collection includes two different whites to allow for more mixing options.

Users praise this paint for having all of the advantages of watercolors mixed with acrylics. These paints go on thick, but the artist has the ability to make them thinner if they choose. Critics remark that these paints are not as opaque as others.

This Royal & Langnickel set may be a great place to start for the novice artist.

5. ARTEZA Gouache Paint, Set of 24 Colors with Storage Box

Containing 24 tubes filled with opaque paint, this set from ARTEZA great for the price. Many consider it the best gouache for beginners thanks to its affordable price and the variety of colors.

Having so many colors means that novice artists have to do less mixing, which can help to quickly move things along. The individual tubes each contain 12-mL of paint.

Considered the best affordable gouache paint, this collection comes with a convenient storage box that keeps everything neat and organized. This set is ACMI certified as safe, and it can be used with watercolors.

Some reviewers remark that they are surprised by just how well these paints perform. They comment on the saturated colors and the fact that these paints are lightfast. However, some artists note that they have difficult layering with this paint.

ARTEZA has created an excellent gouache kit for the aspiring artist.

6. Caran d’Ache Gouache Studio 15 Assorted Colors Set in Metal Tin

When experienced artists give gouache recommendations, they frequently refer to products from Caran d’Ache. This particular collection features 14 pans of gouache paint.

Made in Switzerland, this paint feels like velvet on the brush and relies on all-natural binders. Accordingly, it’s capable of resisting cracking.

This gouache artist paint includes a paintbrush and an extra tube of white. The white paint is an especially welcome extra since it is indispensable for blending colors.

With this collection, artists receive cool and warm versions of red, blue and yellow as well as numerous colors that are among the most commonly used.

Each paint is saturated with pigment to make it brilliant and is safe and non-toxic to use.

The fact that this collection comes with a tube of white paint is a huge draw for many artists. People also like that the interior of the box includes five areas for mixing.

The rich, creamy colors are highly recommended as is the convenience of the removable pans. Nonetheless, others remark that the box itself is a little too large and clunky for true portability.

Caran d’Ache has created a dry gouache paint set with which artists can travel.

7. Holbein Acryla Gouache Mixing Set of 5

Holbein Acryla Gouache is an acrylic polymer paint. When it is dry, it achieves a velvet matte finish, and the colors don’t shift. Holbein paints are manufactured in Japan. This is considered the best brand of gouache paint by many experienced artists.

Made using water-soluble acrylic resin, each of these paints is highly pigmented. This gives the set of five primary colors a brilliant range.

While it blends, feels, reacts and moves like a gouache paint made with gum Arabic, it is nowhere near as fragile on the surface level.

This water-resistant paint is suitable for use with any other water-soluble media.

Consisting of five 20-mL tubes, this set includes magenta, yellow, cyan, white and black. From these primary colors, it is possible to mix just about any hue.

Many fans consider this product as the best acrylic gouache. Comments suggest that the paints dry quickly and are relatively easy to use.

The bright colors are praised as is the easy way in which the colors can be blended. People love that this paint also has great staying power. Some users remark that this may not be the best paint for beginners because it dries so fast.

For intermediate- and professional-level artists, this primary-color collection from Holbein is a highly recommended choice.

8. Madisi Gouache Paint Set – 24 Vivid Colors

With 24 colors in 12-mL tubes, this Madisi set is great for the money. This pick for best gouache paint features saturated colors and produces a bright effect on any media. A thick consistency when dispensed from the tube, it’s easy to dilute these paints with water as necessary. Each paint is made using a safe, non-toxic formula that doesn’t harm the environment.

This gouache paint from Madisi is backed by a lifetime guarantee. Buyers who are unsatisfied by the product may return it any time for a refund. The bright, blendable colors are a tremendous asset to young or beginning artists who are just discovering how to mix paints to achieve the precise hues they want.

With 24 colors available, it isn’t necessary to do an undue amount of mixing, and some novice painters may appreciate that. People who have used these paints say that they love the bright and blendable colors. Reviews suggest that the tubes aren’t huge but that doesn’t mean that they aren’t an excellent value.

Each tube seems to last for quite a long time, even for heavy users. Several people complain that the names of the paints are not labeled on the tube. This creates confusion, especially for novice artists.

This set of Madisi paints is an excellent value for aspiring artists who are experimenting with color and style.

9. Reeves Gouache Paint 10-ml Tubes, Set of 12

This set of 12 10-mL tubes is an outstanding beginner gouache set with its vibrant colors and easy mixing. An opaque, matte finish ensures that artists get the effect they’re seeking. This collection includes all essential hues for use or mixing.

These Reeves gouache paints don’t crack, and they provide decent coverage. With a broad palette of colors, it’s possible for artists to experiment with blending multiple tones so that they can express themselves like never before.

Many reviewers swear by these paints as being the perfect collection for beginners. They don’t cost a fortune, yet they boast good quality. This provides the novice with an opportunity to learn without investing a ton of money.

Some critics complain that the pigments are not as dense as those present in other products. Considering the affordable price, this is not a surprise.

For the beginner, this is an excellent collection that doesn’t empty the bank account.

10. Royal & Langnickel GOU21 – 24 Gouache Color Artist Tube Paint

This offering from Royal & Langnickel is a safe bet whether you are new to watercolors or not. This is one of the good gouache brands that’s been in business for a long time.

In fact, if you’ve been painting for a while, you’re probably already familiar with them.

This set contains 24 paint colors that have outstanding reflective characteristics as well as admirable opacity.

Artists will find that this gouache paint is workable, blendable and applies smoothly. In addition, it provides excellent coverage.

Fans say that this paint is a good value. Comments regarding how well they dry and their creamy consistency when wet are frequent.

People sometimes noted that this collection includes two shades of white, a welcome feature.

Nonetheless, there are people who comment that these paints are only suitable quality for student or hobbyist painters.

For the student or hobbyist, it is difficult to beat the value of this set from Royal & Langnickel.

11. Reeves 24-Pack Gouache Color Tube Set

This 24-pack of paint is pricey, and the manufacturer notes that it is the best gouache paint for teaching color mixing theory. Reeves is a popular name brand that offers affordable products that perform well and have a strong, opaque presence.

The collection contains a variety of colors that can be used alone or mixed. This enables rtists to express themselves in unique ways. Though these tubes are small, the paint seems to last a long time.

People who have tried these paints say that they appreciate having so many ready-mixed colors. It makes the painting experience more efficient when it isn’t necessary to blend colors. Users also say that these paints reactivate well. Unfortunately, some people mention that a strong odor is sometimes detected in these paints.

This Reeves 24-pack of gouache paints provides color variety and consistent quality for the new artist.

12. U.S. Art Supply Professional 36 Color Set of Gouache Paint

Containing 36 vivid colors, this U.S. Art Supply product also includes a color-mixing wheel. It’s a good gouache paint collection for beginners as well as professional artists.

Each color is packaged in an 18-mL tube. With extra-smooth consistency, they blend like a dream. All the paints are water-based and non-toxic. Additionally, they are acid-free.

These paints are easy to use. In fact, they are frequently recommended for children. The manufacturer provides a lifetime money-back guarantee.

If you’re unsatisfied, you can request a refund. The included double-sided color mixing wheel promises confident mixing, and it offers valuable information concerning technical color terminology.

Users praise these paints for the vibrancy of the colors and their consistency. Complaints suggest that the color samples provided on the exterior of the tubes are not exact matches for the contents.

You may need a palette for paints. We suggest checking our list of the best palettes.

This 36-color set from U.S. Art Supply gives artists plenty of latitude for expressing themselves.

Also check out our list of the best body paints. This will pleasantly surprise you and your friends.

Making the Decision

If you’re looking for a beginner gouache set, most of the one dozen products presented here will be ideal for you. While some of them dry a bit more quickly than novice artists prefer, each product on this list is likely to perform as expected without breaking the bank.

Choose one or more of these collections to figure out which are the best gouache paints for your next project.