What is a characteristic of gouache paint compared to watercolor?

Gouache paint is characterized by its opacity, which sets it apart from watercolor paint. While watercolor is known for its transparent qualities, allowing light to pass through and create a luminous effect, gouache has a higher pigment concentration and includes additional white pigment, leading to a denser, more opaque finish. This opacity enables artists to achieve solid colors and cover underlying layers completely.

In addition to its opacity, gouache can be reactivated with water, similar to watercolor; however, its thicker application and different texture can lead to significantly different effects and impacts in artwork. This nature of gouache allows for distinct techniques and applications compared to more translucent watercolors.