Gouache for Illustration (Paperback)

by Rob Howard (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Gouache is one of the most ancient and versatile of painting mediums. Not only is gouache relied on by watercolour artists to add colour and highlights to their paintings, it is also the primary painting medium of designers, illustrators, and graphic artists. Rob Howard's "Gouache for Illustration" shows artists all the basic tools and techniques needed for handling this medium. The book also includes advanced illustrating techniques, including methods for achieving the special effects and textures that gouache is noted for, such as glass and silver. Step-by-step demonstrations are provided for all the major art and design disciplines where gouache is commonly used as the medium of choice. These range from scientific, automotive, and children's illustration to hyper-realistic fantasy art and photorealistic fine art.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Watson-Guptill (August 1, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823021653
• ISBN-13: 978-0823021659
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 7.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #636,082 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Sound technical advice, and not just for illustrators., September 5, 1999

By A Customer

This book is an excellent introduction to the best techniques for painting in gouache, also known as opaque watercolor. Gouache has been a standard medium for illustrators for generations, yet it is not often taught in American art schools. It also has been used by fine artists for centuries. Gouache is remarkably easy to use, has low toxicity and is easy to clean up. Considering all that, it is amzing how little information about is available for professional artists.

Howard's book goes a long way toward correcting the problem. He explains how to select the right type of paint for your project, reviews several different brands of paint, and gives sound advice on color mixing. Even if you don't want to use opaque watercolor, the book is worth buying just for Howard's chapter on "Color Theories That Don't Work."

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent!, November 28, 2006

By	Bettaman "hulabetta" (Colorado Springs, CO USA) - See all my reviews

This is almost the only book you'll need to get started with gouache. As the medium of such outstanding artists as the late Bob Peak and industrial design master Syd Mead, gouache has so many possibilities IF you can learn how to use it and this book will tell you exactly how to get started! Be sure to do the exercises, get some decent sable brushes, and use one of the quality gouaches listed. Winsor Newton is pricey but Holbein's Acryla gouache is incredible once you figure out their color names (not standard like W&N or Holbeins standard gouache). His basic color palletes are a great start & his recommendation of the Quiller color wheel is right on. There is a new Quiller wheel out but the one in the book will not lead you astray. Study(!) the sections on color and color mixing and you will soon have a leg up on every other "beginner" and start seeing "what" makes some art professional as opposed to "straight out of the tube" amateur attempts. This book is great and I recommend it highly to anyone who wants to paint in gouache.

5.0 out of 5 stars Best book about gouache, March 15, 2009

By	Oksana Shiell (San Jose, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I think this is one of the best books from cover to cover. Great information about paints and brands. Not boring! It has some very unique ideas regarding techniques. It was expensive but I would not give it back for a double price.