Originals in this selection, Gouache, Photorealism, under 500 euro.
Formats from 15 x 15 to 18 x 24 cm.
Matte, opaque, precise
Gouache is more opaque than watercolor and more matte than oil, a material with a velvety surface. For under 500 euro you can find photorealistic gouache paintings for sale that show astonishingly sculptural motifs on paper.
Gouache consists of fine pigment in a water-soluble binder, with a thicker consistency than watercolor. Light paint can be laid over dark, edges sharpened and details worked out in small areas. The result looks calm, almost printed, yet alive.
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Paper, mat, glass
Gouache is water soluble and sensitive to damp. Such pictures therefore belong behind glass, with an acid-free mat, and away from steam in the kitchen or bathroom. Matte surfaces show fingerprints quickly.
What to look out for
Ask about the paper, the lightfastness of the pigments and the framing. An honest note on care and a photo of the mat help with the decision. Under glass, gouache lasts a long time. Choose a mat in neutral white or ivory, so the painted colors do not compete with a foreign tone, and watch for a gap between glass and paint layer.