Gouache Paint Recipe

Here is a typical recipe to make gouache paint. Gouache consists of water, pigment, and gum binder, the same as watercolor paint. The difference is primarily the addition of a white extender, which creates an opaque water-based paint.

Recipe

Part by Weight Ingredients
52 Barite (baryte or blanc fixe) or chalk (calcium carbonate)
24 Pigment, dry powder (any color)
12 Gum arabic solution (30% by weight in water)
5 Glycerin

 

Thoroughly mix the gum arabic and glycerin, and add to the powders dropwise. Grind the ingredients on a flat surface, such as a glass or marble slab. Grind all ingredients until a smooth consistency is obtained. Additional water may be added to the paint to vary the consistency.