The Difference Between Guache and Watercolors

For those of you who want to paint but are afraid to make a mistake, the biggest mistake, is never trying. First, you need to know the basics of drawing, then you need to learn your options in paint. An inexpensive and good way to learn, is to buy water colors. Because the only difference between watercolors and guache is the white paint they put in watercolor paint to make guache.

So you could start trying watercolors, learning to make a wash by watering down the paint and using a big flat brush to spread it around, learning to do grass with a fan brush, and learning to control the fine tipped brushes to add detail. And if you don't like doing that, you can add a little white watercolor paint to your colors and make guache.

What is guache? What is it like to work with? You'll find it's a little like water color, a lot like oil paint. You get a more opaque thick paint, its easier to work with, and you can cover up mistakes a little better. You can learn whether you like doing it this way and if you like working with guache, you can buy premade guache.

Once you learn to draw, painting is a natural extension. You can draw your own greeting cards, with water color paper cards they sell for a couple of bucks, or become a greeting card designer if you have such talent. One lady prints and sells her own cards in the Chicago area. You could too.

Some people do abstract painting. I prefer realistic drawings. I like drawing a lot and even paint in water color a little. It is a difficult medium to master. But you could become a greeting card designer if your really good. Sometimes I make an oil painting but I don't like the harsh chemicals.

Some people even illustrate children's books. I met a talented painter who did just that. You really have to perfect your style and it helps to have a degree. But I'm pretty sure Raphael was an apprentice. There is no substitute for practicing. Draw a chair, a cup, a flower, learn what you like and grow from there. It really takes a masters touch to make it in the art world, but you can always draw for your own pleasure.

One option is to just do it as a hobby. That is a lot less stressful and if no one likes your work, you don't have to change. I think many people would like to draw professionally, and you can become an illustrator if you so choose. But there are many talented people who do this and your job is to stand out and tell a story.