Description

Royal Talens Designer Gouache is a high-quality, artist-grade paint known for its intense pigmentation, smooth application, and versatility. This line of gouache paint, manufactured by the Royal Talens company based in the Netherlands, is popular among designers, illustrators, fine artists, and other creatives who seek a professional-level gouache that provides both vibrancy and control.

Here are the main characteristics that make Royal Talens Designer Gouache distinct:

1. Color Range
Royal Talens Designer Gouache offers a broad range of over 60 colors, including primary, secondary, pastel, earth, and metallic tones. This extensive palette enables artists to work with a wide array of hues and tones right out of the tube. The paints have a very high pigment load, which results in intense colors that remain vivid even when diluted.
Mixability: The colors can be easily mixed to create custom shades and blends, making it suitable for artists who like to experiment with unique color palettes.

2. Opacity and Coverage
Royal Talens Designer Gouache is known for its opaque, matte finish. The opacity varies depending on the color, as some pigments are naturally more transparent, but the majority offer excellent coverage, even when applied in thin layers. This gouache dries to a velvety, matte surface without streaking, allowing artists to achieve a uniform finish. This characteristic is especially beneficial for illustration work where an even texture is desired.

3. Re-wettable and Layering Qualities
Like most gouache paints, Royal Talens Designer Gouache can be reactivated with water once dry, allowing artists to lift colors, correct mistakes, or blend layers even after they’ve set. This quality provides versatility for layering techniques. Due to the opacity and re-wettability, artists can layer colors effectively without mixing or losing vibrancy. This allows for detailed work and complex compositions with multiple colors and textures.

4. Application and Versatility
The paint has a creamy, smooth consistency that applies easily with brushes or other tools, making it suitable for both broad strokes and fine detailing.
Works on Various Surfaces: This gouache adheres well to surfaces like paper, cardboard, and illustration boards, and even performs well on canvas or wood if primed. Designer gouache is particularly popular among commercial artists, illustrators, and designers due to its versatility, as it scans well for digital processing and maintains color integrity even in high-resolution scans.

5. Lightfastness and Durability
Royal Talens Designer Gouache offers decent lightfastness, although some colors may fade over time if exposed to direct sunlight. Lightfastness ratings vary by color, so artists may need to check individual colors for specific durability. Like other gouache paints, this line is water-soluble and not entirely waterproof, so it’s best suited for works that will be protected or scanned for digital use rather than exposed to the elements.

6. Environmental Considerations
Royal Talens uses high-quality, non-toxic pigments and binders in its Designer Gouache, making it safe for both the artist and the environment when used as directed. The paint is sold in 20ml tubes, designed for easy handling, portability, and long shelf life when stored properly.

7. Binder
“Dextrin is a starch product that is dissolved in water to form a liquid binder. As this product is sensitive to decay it is necessary to add a preservative. Dextrin is the binder of Talens Gouache extra fine and of the other quality poster paints. A special property of a dextrin solution is thixotropy. If we leave the paint alone it will automatically thicken. Through movement (stirring or painting) the paint becomes thinner again and will easily spread out.”

Royal Talens Designer Gouache is a reliable choice for artists looking for a traditional, opaque gouache that combines intensity, flexibility, and ease of use, making it ideal for everything from bold illustrations to detailed fine art.