Himi Gouache is a popular paint that is on the market, and gouache is a very fun paint to learn how to use. In this post, I will explain the characteristics of Himi Gouache that make it so popular and worthwhile compared to other gouache brands.
What Is Himi Gouache?
Himi gouache is a type of gouache paint that is produced in the town of Himi in Toyama Prefecture, Japan. The brand HIMI is known for its high-quality pigments and ability to produce vivid, opaque colors.
Himi gouache is often used for traditional Japanese-style paintings, as well as for manga and animation artwork. Its unique characteristics include a smooth, creamy texture and good lightfastness, which means that the colors remain vibrant over time. Himi gouache is highly regarded by artists and is considered to be one of the best brands of gouache paint available.
My Experience with Gouache
Gouache paint is one of my favorite mediums and something I use often. I live in the United States, and gouache usually comes in a tube, and I have always known it to.
When I first discovered gouache paint, it was from a video on the internet! I saw someone unboxing their gouache paint in small jelly containers with peel off lids. I knew I had to try it!
Here is what I learned about the benefits of both tubed gouache paint and jelly cup gouache paint.
Benefits of Tubed Gouache Paint
Both tubed gouache paint and jelly cup gouache paint have their own benefits and drawbacks. The choice between them largely depends on the individual preferences and needs of the artist. Here are some benefits of tubed gouache paint compared to jelly cup gouache paint:
- Ease of use: Tubed gouache paint is easier to use than jelly cup gouache paint, as it is easily squeezed onto a mixing surface. It can then be and mixed with water or other mediums to create the desired consistency.
- Flexibility: Tubed gouache paint offers greater flexibility than jelly cup gouache paint. Artists can mix and blend the paint in any way they choose, and can also control the amount of paint they use very easily without the rest drying out.
- Variety of colors: Tubed gouache paint comes in a wider variety of colors than jelly cup gouache paint, allowing artists to create a wider range of hues and shades.
- Size options: Tubed gouache paint is available in a variety of sizes which is my favorite benefit. From small travel-sized tubes to large tubes for studio use it allows artists to choose the size that best suits their needs.
Benefits of Jelly Cup (HIMI) Gouache Paint
Jelly cup gouache paint has its own set of benefits compared to tubed gouache paint. Here are some of them:
- Portability: Jelly cup gouache paint is very portable and convenient for artists who like to work on the go. All of your colors you lay out in the same space without having to make room for a mixing palette. The cups are easily carried around without a need for a separate palette or container.
- Ease of use: The pre-measured jelly cups of gouache paint can be a time-saver for artists. They eliminate the need for mixing or squeezing the paint out of a tube. They can be used straight from the cup, or mixed together to create custom colors.
- Reduced waste: The jelly cups help to reduce paint waste since they contain a precise amount of paint, which can be used entirely without any leftover paint. This can be especially useful for artists who use expensive or hard-to-find colors.
- Longer shelf life: Gouache paint in jelly cups tends to have a longer shelf life than tubed gouache paint since the cups are tightly sealed and prevent the paint from drying out. This can be especially useful for artists who don’t use gouache paint frequently.
What I Use Himi (Jelly Cup) Gouache Paint for VS Tubed
Himi gouache paint I always use for the rare colors! When you are using a rare color, you tend to not use a lot of it or get it for a specific use. Then, you are not having to buy a full tube of a paint that you will hardly use, which is very ideal for not wasting space.
Tubed gouache paint I use for the larger projects and when I am going to do a lot of mixing. Himi gouache I use for specifically the vibrancy of the colors and usually do not want to do much mixing if any at all. Tubed gouache paint I use explicitly for achieving colors to get the perfect shade, much like mixing oil paint.
The Best Features of Himi Gouache Paint
There are several benefits of Himi gouache that artists appreciate compared to other gouache sets. Here are a few examples:
- High-quality pigments: Himi gouache is known for its high-quality pigments that produce vibrant, opaque colors. The pigments are finely ground and blend easily, allowing artists to create smooth color transitions and a range of hues.
- Smooth texture: Himi gouache has a smooth, creamy texture that makes it easy to work with. The paint goes on smoothly and can be easily blended, thinned down, or layered to create different effects.
- Good lightfastness: Himi gouache has good lightfastness, meaning that the colors will remain bright and vivid over time. This is important for artists who want their work to last and maintain its vibrancy.
- Affordability: Himi gouache is relatively affordable compared to other high-quality gouache paints, making it a great choice for artists who are just starting out or who want to experiment with different colors and techniques.
- Range of sets: Himi gouache sets come in a range of sizes and colors, giving artists the flexibility to choose a set that meets their specific needs. Whether you need just a few basic colors or a larger set with a wider range of hues, there is a Himi gouache set that will work for you.
How Do I Preserve My HIMI Gouache After Opening?
If you just used your himi gouache for the first time and need to prevent it from drying, make sure to package it well. The best way to close it up is to give it a spray of some water from a spray bottle. Then, you will want to get plastic wrap and cover the top of the himi gouache set. After this, put the lid back on.
The best way to preserve it is to put the whole set in a large durable zip up plastic bag. This will keep it from drying out for a month or two.
If your himi gouache set is completely dried out and you want to restore it, just add water! Dump a small amount of water into each jelly container, and let it sit for about five to ten minutes. Then, get a paint mixing tool (or even just a toothpick) and start to mash up the bits that are still dry and combine them with the water.
Gouache is water soluble, and can completely restored with some water. Make sure you dont add too much tho, as it will water down the paint to not being opaque. Instead, you can add small bits of water at a time until it reaches the desired consistency!
