Gouache is a type of paint composed of natural pigment, water, and binding agent and is typically used in which painting style?

• A. Transparent glazing
• B. Watercolor wash
• C. Encaustic
• D. Opaque methods

Answer: (D)

Gouache is an opaque, water-based paint designed to cover what’s underneath rather than look through layers. Its pigment is combined with a binding medium and often chalk or whiteners to boost its opacity, so artists can lay down solid, flat areas of color and block in tones without revealing the underlayers. That characteristic makes it a natural fit for opaque methods, where the goal is to achieve strong, non-translucent color blocks. While gouache can be thinned for lighter effects, its defining trait is opacity, unlike the transparency emphasized in glazing or watercolor washes, and it is not related to encaustic, which uses wax. So the best fit is opaque methods.