Gouache is produced by mixing pigment with a binding agent, typically gum arabic, and adding white pigment to enhance opacity. Typically, gouache comes in tubes or jars and must be diluted with water before application.

Gouache is indeed a type of paint that consists of pigment, a binding agent like gum arabic, and an additional white pigment to increase its opacity. When you are ready to start painting with gouache that comes in tubes or jars, you'll need to follow a few steps to properly prepare the paint for application:

1. Squeeze or scoop a small amount of the gouache paint onto your palette. 2. Use a brush or a palette knife to mix the paint, ensuring the pigment and binding agent are well combined. 3. Add a little bit of water to the paint to dilute it to the desired consistency. This step is crucial, as gouache can be applied in varying degrees of transparency depending on how much water is added. Adding more water makes the paint more transparent, similar to watercolor, while using less water maintains its characteristic opacity. 4. Test the paint on a piece of scrap paper to make sure it's at the desired consistency before applying it to your actual art project. 5. Proceed to paint onto the chosen surface, which can be paper, board, or canvas prepared for water media. Gouache reactivates with water even after it has dried, allowing for corrections and changes.

Extra: Gouache is a versatile medium that is loved by artists for its rich, matte finishes, and its ability to be used in a method that is similar to both watercolor and acrylic paints. Unlike watercolors, gouache is opaque and reflects light rather than allowing it to penetrate through the paint layers. This means the colors can appear more vibrant and solid.

The name "gouache" is derived from the Italian word "guazzo" which meant "mud" or "puddle," and originally referred to an oil painting method before it came to be associated with the opaque water media painting we know today. The paint's versatility comes from its ability to be used in thin layers for a more translucent effect or thickly for full opacity. Moreover, the addition of white pigment to gouache makes it capable of covering dark surfaces and allowing for lighter colors to stand out more, this is something you cannot achieve with watercolors.

Gouache is commonly used by illustrators and designers because of its quick-drying nature and its ability to produce a flat, even, and non-reflective surface. This makes gouache paintings very photographable, without the glare that can sometimes be a challenge with glossy paints. It's also a favourite among calligraphers and traditional fine artists who appreciate the medium's ability to produce crisp lines and solid blocks of color. It's a great tool for teaching students about color theory and mixing due to its pigment density and ease of use. For those reasons, gouache has a long history and continues to be a medium that bridges the gap between several painting disciplines.