Gouache, Mon Amour.

Introduction to the Ultimate Watercolor for Illustration

A workshop with Aljoscha Blau

When one speaks of “watercolors,” many think of traditional watercolor painting. In doing so, its multifaceted sister, gouache, is often unjustly overlooked. A pity—because for centuries it has been one of the most popular painting mediums for illustration and small-format works. Think of modern picture-book illustrations, Dürer’s hare, or the poster and magazine art of the 20th century. Gouache is an opaque watercolor whose versatility and matte texture—along with its unique combination of spontaneity and precision—make it especially appealing in the digital age. It can be used transparently (similar to watercolor) or opaquely (like oil or acrylic paint). Even after drying, gouache remains water-soluble, allowing areas of a painting to be reworked at any time.

In this workshop, you will receive a compact, practice-oriented introduction to working with gouache paints. The goal is to gain more confidence in painting and drawing with gouache and to become familiar with different techniques. For each assignment, Aljoscha Blau will demonstrate his working process, after which he will support participants individually and in group discussions. Alongside the practical exercises, Aljoscha Blau will present original illustrations and share his tricks as a gouache expert. He wrote the professional book “Multitalent Gouache. An Old Technique, Rediscovered” about his favorite technique, which has been published in six languages since 2020.

The workshop is suitable for illustrators and painters who would like to expand their technical repertoire. Both beginners with basic drawing skills and advanced artists are welcome.

Structure

We will spend the day in the Drink & Draw studio, painting with gouache at our workstations. Beginning with a short theoretical section, Aljoscha will introduce the technique and history of opaque watercolor. We will then move on to practical exercises and experiment with various gouache techniques through engaging illustrative tasks.