Gouache has always fascinated me for its bold colors, subtle blends, and hands-on feel that digital just can’t match. After testing countless brands, I’ve put together the best gouache paint sets for artists at any level.
Overview: Best Gouache Paint Sets in 2026
Watercolor Gouache
Turner Watercolor Paint Set - Design Gouache Premier Opaque Watercolor Paint - 25 ml Tubes - Set of 18 Assorted Colors
Watercolor Gouache
Winsor & Newton Designers' Gouache Primary Color 6-Tube Paint Set, 14ml
Watercolor Gouache
Marie's Extra Fine Gouache Opaque Watercolor Paint Set 12 ml Tubes - Assorted Colors - Set of 18
Watercolor Gouache
Arteza Gouache Paint, 24 Colors, 12ml, 0.4 US fl oz Tubes, Water-Based Paint for Canvas and Paper, Art Supplies for Professionals, Students, and Kids
Acrylic Gouache
Splendid paints with superior colors, finish and usability, and a real delight to use!
Acrylic Gouache
Surprisingly consistent and high quality colors, wet and dry, and quite long lasting and durable - best value!
Acrylic Gouache
Best acrylic gouache paints for students, beginners or artists on a budget looking for an amazing value
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Best Watercolor Gouache Paints
Best Watercolor Gouache Paint Overall
Watercolor Gouache
Turner Watercolor Paint Set - Design Gouache Premier Opaque Watercolor Paint - 25 ml Tubes - Set of 18 Assorted Colors
Many artists consider Turner gouache watercolors the best available, and I’d have to agree.
Their rich, vibrant colors come from top-tier pigments, and they mix, layer, and dry beautifully across both wet and dry techniques. What really sets them apart is the finish: smooth, consistent, and luminous in a way that feels almost alive on the page.
While they’re on the pricier side and not ideal for large surface work or crafts, for fine art and precision watercolor work, Turner gouache is hard to beat.
My Favorite Watercolor Gouache Paint
Watercolor Gouache
Winsor & Newton Designers' Gouache Primary Color 6-Tube Paint Set, 14ml
Even though Turner may be considered the best, I personally prefer Winsor & Newton Designers’ Gouache. There’s just something about their consistency that feels more substantial and satisfying to work with.
The colors are rich, perfectly blendable, and dry to a gorgeous matte finish that still retains that distinct watercolor softness. While I wouldn’t say they’re better than Turner overall, they’re my favorite to use and pair beautifully with the Winsor & Newton Artist Watercolor set.
Both brands are top-tier, but for me, W&N Designers’ delivers the most enjoyable painting experience.
Best Watercolor Student Grade Gouache Paint
Watercolor Gouache
Marie's Extra Fine Gouache Opaque Watercolor Paint Set 12 ml Tubes - Assorted Colors - Set of 18
Watercolor Gouache
Arteza Gouache Paint, 24 Colors, 12ml, 0.4 US fl oz Tubes, Water-Based Paint for Canvas and Paper, Art Supplies for Professionals, Students, and Kids
I truly can’t choose between Marie’s Extra Fine and Arteza Gouache because both are excellent and affordable for students or beginners.
Marie’s offers better workability and a rich, matte finish that’s great for learning watercolor techniques, while Arteza stands out with its vivid colors and smooth blending, especially for the price.
Marie’s is slightly better for handling, Arteza slightly better for color, but honestly, you can’t go wrong with either. I’d just get both!
Best Acrylic Gouache Paints
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The Best Acrylic Gouache Paint Overall
Holbein acrylic gouache lays down rich, opaque color with a matte finish and dries water-resistant, so layers stay clean and easy to build.
Holbein Artists’ Gouache (Acryla) is the best acrylic gouache I’ve ever used. It offers exceptional control, smooth flow, and a premium feel that keeps you in the creative zone. The balance between workability and responsiveness makes it easy to bring your artistic vision to life with minimal effort.
The colors are vibrant, consistent, and stunning both wet and dry, exactly what you’d expect from true professional-grade paints. And Holbein always delivers on that expectation.
Yes, they’re pricier than average acrylics, but for the quality, they’re a bargain. Simply put, Holbein Acryla is the best acrylic gouache you can buy.
My Favorite Acrylic Gouache Paint
Acrylic Gouache
Surprisingly consistent and high quality colors, wet and dry, and quite long lasting and durable - best value!
If Holbein Acryla is the best, why are Turner Acrylic Gouache paints my favorite? Simple: value.
Turner paints deliver about 99% of Holbein’s quality at roughly half the price. They have a rich, buttery texture, great workability, vibrant colors, and a smooth, consistent finish that doesn’t disappoint when dry—no weird shifts or surprises.
Honestly, while Holbein may have a slight edge, I never feel like I’m missing out with Turner. And because they’re so affordable, I feel freer to experiment. That’s why Turner is my go-to acrylic gouache.
The Best Acrylic Student Grade Gouache Paint
Acrylic Gouache
Best acrylic gouache paints for students, beginners or artists on a budget looking for an amazing value
Turner takes the top spot again, this time for students, beginners, or anyone on a budget.
And yes, it’s the same amazing Turner acrylic gouache, just in a smaller, more affordable 12-color School Set with slightly smaller tubes.
You still get the same pro-level quality and consistency, but at a lower cost—perfect for learning. I always recommend using the best paints you can afford as a beginner, since they give better, more consistent results and make the learning process more enjoyable and less frustrating.
This set also has a smart, limited palette ideal for learning color theory, mixing, and making strong color choices—without the overwhelm of massive beginner kits. And because Turner paints are truly professional quality, they’ll grow with you as your skills improve.
The Turner 12-color School Set is my top pick for students and best value overall.
How to Choose the Best Gouache Set (Acrylic & Traditional/Watercolor)
Gouache splits into two families: traditional gouache (opaque watercolor, gum-arabic binder, rewets) and acrylic gouache (acrylic binder, dries waterproof). Pick based on how you work, rewet and lift, or paint once and lock it in.
Paint Type & Workflow
Decide first: rewettable (traditional) vs permanent (acrylic).
- Traditional: rewets, blends back to life, great for sketchbooks and layering edits.
- Acrylic gouache: matte, velvety, waterproof when dry, ideal for design flats and mixed media that won’t move.
Pigment Load, Opacity & Coverage
You want rich color that covers cleanly without chalk.
- Look for: high pigment load, natural opacity from pigment (PW6 for whites), even masstone.
- Watch out for: filler-heavy paints that look streaky or go pasty when lightened.
Rewetting, Permanence & Layering
How it behaves on day two matters.
- Traditional: rewets and can lift—great for glazing and corrections, but layers may disturb.
- Acrylic gouache: layers stack cleanly without lifting; plan blends while wet.
Drying Shift & Finish
Gouache can dry slightly darker or lighter.
- Look for: brands with minimal drying shift and a flat matte finish that scans well.
- Tip: mix to target value a touch lighter if your paint dries darker.
Consistency, Flow & Brush Feel
Creamy paint saves time.
- Look for: smooth, creamy body that thins with a little water; no gummy drag or foaming.
- Watch out for: grainy texture, separation in the tube, or syrupy flow that floods edges.
Color Range & Palette Design
A smart palette beats a giant set.
- Look for: warm/cool primaries, a deep neutral, a few earths, and an opaque white you like.
- Acrylic gouache tip: include a matte black for clean flats; it won’t lift.
Paper & Surface Compatibility
Support changes everything.
- Traditional: 100% cotton or sized watercolor paper (300 gsm recommended).
- Acrylic gouache: watercolor paper, gessoed boards, or mixed-media papers work great.
Packaging, Tube Size & Usability
Good tubes prevent waste.
- Look for: metal or sturdy laminate tubes, clear labels (pigment codes, LF rating), wide caps.
- Watch out for: tiny tubes in big sets (poor value); jars that skin over.
Lightfastness & Archival
Display work needs stable pigments.
- Look for: ASTM I/II or brand LF scales; pigment codes on labels.
- Watch out for: fugitive brights (especially fluorescents) if you sell originals.
Mixing Ecosystem
Plan your toolbox.
- Traditional gouache plays well with watercolor and pencil (can re-activate).
- Acrylic gouache pairs with acrylics, ink, collage (won’t budge under wet layers).
Cleanup, Safety & Studio Practicalities
Keep it simple and safe.
- Traditional: soap + water cleanup; avoid dumping pigment sludge.
- Acrylic gouache: rinse brushes before it dries; once dry it’s plastic.
Price/Value & Open Stock
You’ll replace favorites—make it easy.
- Look for: open stock tubes, sensible price per ml, artist vs student lines you can mix.
- Watch out for: sets with many near-duplicates or rare colors you’ll never rebuy.
3-Minute Store (or At-Home) Test
- Paint a flat swatch and a graded wash—check for streaks and drying shift.
- Layer a second coat after drying—see if it lifts (traditional) or stacks clean (acrylic).
- Mix a tint with white and a neutral from complementary hues—look for clean mixes, not mud.
Starter Palette (Small, Useful, Expandable)
Acrylic gouache: Hansa Yellow, Pyrrole Red, Quinacridone Magenta, Phthalo Blue GS, Ultramarine, Burnt Sienna, Carbon Black, Titanium White.
Traditional gouache: Warm/Cool Yellow, Warm/Cool Red, Warm/Cool Blue, Burnt Sienna, Yellow Ochre, Ivory/Payne’s, Titanium White.
Other articles in the Artists Kits & Sets series:
- Best Professional Artist Kits
- Best Supplies for Travel Art Kit
- Best Oil Paint Sets for Artists
- Best Oil Pastels for Arttists
- Best Palette Knives and Pallete Knife Set
- Best Easels for Painting
- Best Artist Inks
Other articles in the Watercolor, Acrylic, Gouache, and Oils series:
- Best Watercolor Sketchbooks
- Best Watercolor Pencils
- Best Watercolor Paints
- Best Watercolor Paper
- Best Watercolor Brushes
- Best Acrylic Paint Brushes for Artists
- Best Acrylic Paint for Artists
- Best Acrylic Paper and Canvas for Artists
Hi, I am Iva (rhymes with “viva”). I am a full-time self-taught artist behind Art Side of Life® and a Top Teacher on Skillshare. I have 15 years of experience in the creative field as a concept designer, illustrator, art director, and now freelance artist, content creator, and art instructor. My goal is to help you get your creative groove on with Procreate and make awesome art through practical classes, tutorials, Procreate brushes, and guides on art tools, supplies and resources. About me »
