As an artist, I’m constantly drawn to experimentation — not only through colour and composition, but through the materials themselves. Recently, I created three small artworks using three different painting mediums: acrylic, gouache, and watercolour. Although each artwork shared a similar spirit of abstraction and colour play, the experience of painting with each medium felt entirely unique.
Working across different mediums allows me to understand how texture, opacity, movement, and layering can completely transform the mood of an artwork. Each paint carries its own personality, rhythm, and creative possibilities.
Acrylic — Bold, Layered & Versatile
Acrylic paint is one of the most flexible mediums to work with. It dries quickly, holds vibrant colour beautifully, and allows strong layering techniques. I often enjoy acrylic for creating structured compositions, defined shapes, and expressive textures.
Because acrylic dries water-resistant, layers can build confidently without disturbing previous marks. This makes it ideal for abstract work involving colour blocks, contrast, and mixed textures.
Gouache — Soft Matte Elegance
Gouache sits somewhere between watercolour and acrylic. It has a velvety matte finish with rich pigmentation and a softer, more delicate appearance. What I love most about gouache is its balance between opacity and fluidity.
Unlike acrylic, gouache can be reactivated with water even after drying, allowing gentle blending and adjustments. The colours appear smooth and sophisticated, giving artworks a quiet depth and modern illustrative quality.
Watercolour — Fluid, Light & Unpredictable
Watercolour has a completely different energy. It flows freely, reacts unpredictably with water, and captures transparency in a way no other medium can. Rather than controlling every detail, watercolour encourages embracing movement and spontaneity.
The softness of layered washes and bleeding pigments creates atmospheric effects that feel organic and emotional. Every mark becomes part of the painting’s natural rhythm.
Observing the Language of Paint
For me, painting is not only about the finished artwork, but also about quietly observing how each material moves and responds — the way colour settles into the surface, how water carries pigment across the paper, or how texture catches light differently through every brushstroke. I’m endlessly fascinated by how a medium alone can shape emotion, rhythm, and the atmosphere of a piece. Some moments draw me toward the bold structure of acrylic, while others lean into the soft stillness of gouache or the fluid spontaneity of watercolour. Through each medium, I continue learning about balance, control, freedom, and expression. These subtle observations gradually become part of my visual diary — small reflections of colour, form, and feeling translated through paint.