I’m a longtime fan of both gouache and acrylic paint, and I truly enjoy how each provides unique painting experiences and results.
Personally, I don’t have a favorite! What about you? Have you ever considered gouache vs acrylic? Do you have a preference?
This gouache vs acrylic guide compares both mediums, highlighting differences, similarities, and ultimately, why any of the two are great picks for your next art venture!
More of the watercolor type? Read our bite-sized comparison guides on gouache vs watercolor and watercolor vs acrylic!
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Gouache vs acrylic: Top features compared
I completely understand that distinguishing gouache vs acrylic is particularly difficult if you’re entirely new to painting.
On that note, if you’re a complete beginner, welcome, and kudos for taking up a new creative hobby!
Before delving into more detailed information, check out the comparison chart below for a quick overview of gouache vs acrylic.
And remember, you don’t need to choose a favorite — there’s enough room in our hearts for both of these timeless paints!
| Gouache | Acrylic | |
| Binders/formula | Gum Arabic binder (water-based) | Acrylic polymer emulsion (water-based) |
| Finish | Matte, opaque, flat colors | Varies between glossy, semi-satin, and super matte. |
| Paint variations | Tubes and pans | Paint sets, tubes, bottles, jars, spray paint, acrylic paint markers |
| Drying times | ~10 min-1 hr (depends on brand, surface, and consistency) | ~10-20 minutes (depends on brand, surface, and consistency) |
| Lightfastness | More lightfast vs watercolor but not as resistant as acrylic | More lightfast and water-resistant than gouache |
| Surfaces | Typically watercolor paper, mixed-medium paper, cardstock | Primarily canvas but also wood, mixed-media paper, board, metal, plaster, plastic, ceramic, and some fabrics |
| Cleaning/maintenance | Easily washed off with water and soap | Stains can be permanent/difficult to remove from surfaces |
| Skill level | Beginner-friendly but will present a learning curve if you’re used to watercolor or acrylic | Appropriate for all skill levels and can be relatively easy to learn |
| Cost | Gouache vs acrylic student-grade paints tend to be more expensive | Artist-grade acrylics are usually pricier vs pro-grade gouache sets |
Gouache vs acrylic: Pros and cons
Gouache is a water-based paint known for its opaque, matte finishes. It’s often used by illustrators, designers, and, of course, painters!
The flat, solid colors this paint produces are perfect for creating bold, graphic shapes as well as everything from cartoons to elegant still-life creations.
Acrylic paint is also water-based but consists of a synthetic polymer emulsion, making it exceptionally resistant to light and moisture.
It’s ideal for various painting styles, including large-scale landscape and botanical art, to abstract and hyperrealistic-inspired projects.
Below, I’ve broken down some of the most relevant pros and cons of gouache vs acrylic for a more in-depth look into each medium!
Lightfastness and water resistance
Gouache is somewhat lightfast, especially compared to its famous contender: watercolor. However, it isn’t nearly as lightfast or water-resistant as acrylic.
Unlike acrylic, gouache is easily activated by water, even after pigment has dried. This is why layering with gouache is one of the most complex and crucial skills to master!
For instance, applying wet gouache onto dried layers reactivates dry paint almost immediately. In addition, packing on too many layers of wet paint tends to result in peeling and cracking once surfaces have fully dried.
That said, gouache does present some challenges in terms of lightfastness, water resistance, and overall durability.
Acrylic, while also water-based, becomes permanent and automatically water-resistant once dry. The synthetic polymer emulsion found in this paint provides a strong coating that endures moisture, discoloration, and deterioration.
Overall, acrylic is the better pick for long-lasting artwork since it can withstand light and humidity over time more effectively with less maintenance.
Texture and finishes
Gouache is mostly known for its grainy texture and matte finishes. Still, it comes in various consistencies, from ultra-thin to thick and creamy — the latter can even be applied with a palette knife!
Although there are several variations of gouache, including slightly glossier alternatives, the truth is that this paint is purposely sought-after for its unique shine-free finishes and flat colors.
On the other hand, acrylic is an undeniably more accessible, universal medium and is used in all of its forms by professionals and hobbyists alike. The most common types of finish include super matte, semi-satin, and glossy.
Super matte acrylic is ideal for non-reflective outcomes, while semi-satin paint provides smooth, velvety results. And if you want your art to gleam, glossy acrylic is where it’s at.
In a nutshell, when it comes to texture and finishes, acrylic offers a broader range of possibilities than gouache. But don’t forget that gouache provides one-of-a-kind outcomes that are hard to replicate with other paint!
Surface types
One of the main differences between gouache and acrylic is the range of surfaces they can be used on.
While gouache is more versatile than watercolor and can be applied to surfaces such as board, canvas, and even some types of wood, it’s primarily used on watercolor paper, mixed-media paper, and sketchbook paper.
I also highly recommend using gouache on black paper!
In all cases, be sure to choose paperweights that can support wet paint to avoid buckling and warping (watercolor blocks are a great solution for this).
Acrylic, on the other hand, adheres more organically to different surface types, such as canvas, wood, glass, fabric, plastic, and more. The versatility of Posca pens is excellent proof of just how adaptable acrylic paint is!
However, know that you may have to prep your materials before applying acrylic, whether that means priming canvases or sanding down slabs of wood.
Drying time
Gouache and acrylic are known for their quick-drying properties, but acrylic paint dries faster. As mentioned earlier, it also becomes permanent when dry, unlike gouache.
This is why blending with acrylic can be difficult, especially for beginners. You have very little time to mix and blend, and once the paint dries, it cannot be reactivated.
Many artists use workarounds like using paint retarders or frequently spraying water on pigments to prevent them from drying out too fast.
Gouache dries quickly but can be reactivated with water. This makes it easier to blend and edit your work during different stages. However, don’t be fooled; reworking dried areas requires lots of skill!
Both gouache and acrylic require working swiftly, but gouache is a little more forgiving. The best way to get the hang of things is to get hands-on and experiment until painting becomes second nature!
That’s it for this beginner’s guide to gouache vs acrylic. Which of these mediums do you prefer? Feel free to drop questions or suggestions in the comments below.
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