AV Acrylic Gouache: “great for painting tiny details”

We were interested why Keith Powell said that AV Acrylic Gouache was “without doubt the best Acrylic paint I have used and I have tried quite a few brands”, so we asked him to extend the customer review he left on jacksonsart.com. He explained for us how AV Acrylic Gouache’s opacity, drying time and handling affects his work as a miniature landscape painter.

Using AV Acrylic Gouache

by Keith Powell

I recently decided to test AV Acrylic Gouache, and, having tried numerous brands before, I can say, without doubt, that these are the best acrylic paints I have ever used.

Along the Edge (Shutlingslow), Keith Powell

There are 47 colours in the range, and they come in either 35ml or 200ml plastic bottles, with hinged, snap-on lids. The paint can be easily squeezed from the bottles, and this allows for small amounts of paint to be dispensed if required.

Personally, I like AV Acrylic Gouache because it is very opaque and dries to a matt finish. It’s also easy to paint straight from the brush, without having to add much water. In this respect, it handles very similarly to traditional gouache; however, AV Acrylic Gouache is not water soluble when dry, so it can easily be painted-over.

Snow at Bawsey, Keith Powell

I have found that AV Acrylic Gouache is ideal for both detailed work and larger areas (see Along the Edge (Shutlingslow); Snow at Bawsey), as it seems to stay workable for longer, compared to other acrylics. It can also be thinned-down with matt medium, for glazes. For me, the only downside to AV Acrylic Gouache is that it darkens when dry but, then again, so do many other brands of acrylic paint.

AV Acrylic Gouache can be used in a stay-wet palette or a glass palette with a mister bottle, depending on how much paint you’re using and how long you want to keep the paint.

Norfolk Poppies, Keith Powell

Given that I primarily paint miniatures, I have found AV Acrylic Gouache the ideal medium. It is great for painting tiny details, and its versatility means that it can be used with different mediums to create different effects. For example, it can provide a good under-painting for oils (see Norfolk Poppies; Portrait of a Barn Owl).

Portrait of a Barn Owl, Keith Powell

Notably, I like to finish my paintings by applying two coats of a spray matt varnish, to protect the paint surface.

About Keith Powell

Keith Powell in his studio

Any questions from the readers, they can contact me on this email address: everest55@outlook.com.

I’ve been painting for over thirty years, as a keen amateur artist. I paint mainly landscapes and wildlife, using oils, acrylics and gouache. Since retiring (five years ago), I’ve become a member of the West Norfolk Artists Association and Art 21 (a small group of local, like-minded artists). Throughout the year, we host and contribute to a number of exhibitions, many of which are held in village halls along the North Norfolk Coast.

Much of the inspiration for my work comes from walking amongst beautiful scenery. Originally from Manchester, I moved to Norfolk some forty years ago, finding myself surrounded by undulating fields and stunning coastline. Admittedly though, I do have a calling for the hills, so, when on holiday, I head to the Peak District, South Pennines, Lake District, Snowdonia, or the Highlands, enjoying the contrast to the flat (albeit beautiful) landscapes of Norfolk.
I also find inspiration from studying the works of my favourite artists; these include wildlife-artists Carl Brenders, Daniel Smith, and Robert Bateman. I also love the work of Steven Townsend, who is famous for his photo-realistic dog paintings and the wonderful landscapes of David Dipnall.

You can view our comprehensive range of AV Acrylic Gouache online here.

Calling all artists to share their views!

We would like to encourage you to write a review on our website of any products that you have used. Simply navigate to the product you wish to review and click on the ‘Reviews’ button beneath the product image. Be thoughtful and detailed – think about what information will be useful to others.

Each month we will be selecting several well-written examples which will be published on our blog. The writer of the best review will receive a £25 Jackson’s gift voucher plus a photograph of them in their studio (if they wish) and a link to their website will appear alongside their review.