Find the best gouache paint set to buy in 2023

Gouache is a wonderful medium which can be used to create striking graphical works of art. They can be used to produce paintings with matt, opaque colours Whether you're a beginner looking for new materials to try or an artist looking for professional-grade art supplies, we've got something to suit you.

If you're new to gouache painting, it's still a great idea to buy a good quality gouache paint set rather than the cheapest ones available. A decent set of gouache paints doesn't have to be expensive and will last you a long time.

So what is gouache paint? It's essentially a water-based paint that is opaque and can be used alongside watercolour paints. It's made with natural pigments, water and a binding agent. Gouache paint is a good choice if you're looking for something between watercolour paints and acrylic paints.

Before you begin, take a look at our beginner's guide to gouache guide for some expert tips to help you get started.

When you're choosing a gouache paint set, it's a good idea to look for a brand with a good reputation such as Winsor & Newton or Caran d'Ache.

Read on to explore our pick of the best gouache paints to buy in 2023…

Looking for gouache painting inspiration? Check out our gouache painting ideas, make a Be Kind poster with our gouache painting tutorial, learn how to paint a self portrait using gouache and create your own butterfly art for your home.

If you're looking for more creative inspiration, take a look at our watercolor painting ideas, art journal ideas and fall painting ideas.

7 best gouache paints to buy in 2023

1. Royal & Langnickel gouache paint set

This inexpensive gouache paint set is good value for students or beginners who want to try gouache painting for the first time. It has a selection of rich shades for you to experiment with and you can use these paints while you master the basic skills of gouache painting. If you decide that you love gouache as a painting medium, you can always upgrade to a more expensive gouache paint set at a later date.

2. Daler Rowney Aquafine gouache paint starter set

If you're not sure if you want to do a lot of gouache paintings and want to test out the medium, then this is a good set to buy. It contains six tubes of gouache, which all come in bright shades. This is a great choice for beginners – these tubes will last for a long time and you can always buy additional tubes of Daler Rowney gouache paints if you want to try out other colours. Daler Rowney is known for producing quality art supplies and this set doesn't disappoint.

3. Liquitex Professional Acrylic gouache set

Looking for a gouache paint that's more opaque? These paints are designed to "take opacity to the limit". Liquitex gouache paints are a good option for illustrators thanks to their smooth, matt colours that don't reflect the light. They're ideal to use if you're planning to scan your paintings to create your own digital illustrations.

Normal gouache paints can run if you try to paint over the top, but because these are acrylic gouache paints you can build up layers without any bleeding. You don't need to add water to start painting with Liquitex either – they can be used straight from the bottle.

4. Winsor & Newton Designers Gouache Introductory paint set

This gouache paint set from Winsor & Newton may sound small (it only contains 10 tubes), but you really are getting a set of excellent quality paints. The paints are intended for designers with fast-drying, vibrant shades. They are non-reflective, so are suitable for digital scanning. If you're an amateur artist, you'll be able to use this gouache paint set to create professional-looking works of art. A little of this paint goes a long way, but you may want to buy extra tubes of white or black gouache to accompany the set as these are the colours which tend to run out quickly.

5. Caran d'Ache Studio gouache paint set

This gouache paint set is small yet mighty! Caran d'Ache is another brand that has a great reputation for quality. These paints have a smooth consistency and the set includes a selection of eight rich colours. This set has a palette inside the lid and comes with a brush, so it's a handy gouache set to take with you if you're travelling.

6. Schmincke Küpper's Gouache Akademie set

Schmincke is a German company which produces fantastic products for artists and this gouache set is ideal for professionals. The paints are lightfast, so won't fade over time. These paints are richly pigmented and come in more generous 60ml tubes, so they're likely to last a very long time. The coverage of the paint is excellent and you're bound to be pleased with the results.

7. Himi gouache

Himi gouache paint sets are very popular with amateur artists. They're non-toxic, so they're safe for young children to use too. Unlike most other types of gouache, Himi gouache paints come in sealed pots and have a rich, creamy consistency. The texture of the paint is something between watercolour and gouache, so if you're looking for a more opaque colour it's worth buying a different set. Make sure you seal the pots when you're not using them so the paint doesn't harden.

Looking to stock up on art supplies? Explore our guides to the best watercolor paints, best acrylic paints and the best drawing tablet for beginners. If you're looking for gifts for an artistic friend or family member, take a look at our pick of the best gifts for artists and the best art sets for kids.

Featured image by iStock/yacobchuk