Think about the 1950s. You probably see bright colors: cool turquoise and cherry red cars, movie posters with glamorous people, and perfect families in magazine ads.

A lot of that look wasn’t just photos or printing. It was paint.
Specifically, watercolor and gouache.

These two paints quietly made the ’50s look great. If you’re just starting to paint or want that old-school vibe, knowing how they are different can really help and be fun.

What’s Cool About Watercolor?

Watercolor is kind of dreamy.

The paint is just color mixed with stuff that dissolves in water. When you add water, it gets runny and see-through. Instead of covering the whole paper, you can see the white underneath. That makes it look glowy and soft.

Think about old travel posters, calm landscapes, or pretty flower pictures from magazines. The sky isn’t just blue, it is layers of blue, with the paper making it brighter.

Watercolor is about being patient. You usually paint from light to dark, adding layers little by little. You have to be okay with the paint doing its own thing sometimes: colors mixing together, edges getting soft, cool stuff happening by accident. That is what makes it neat.

Why Gouache Is So Different

Gouache is like watercolor’s bolder, more graphic sibling.

It also uses water, and the colors are often alike, but it has white or chalk added to make it not see-through. Instead of showing the paper, gouache covers it up. That gives you solid, smooth color that looks awesome in photos or prints.

Ever seen a cool ’50s ad, like a diner plate or a red lipstick ad or a retro motel sign? That strong, flat color is often gouache.

Watercolor feels light, but gouache feels sure and clear. You can paint light colors over dark, fix mistakes easier, and make sharp shapes. That is why artists, poster designers, and other creatives loved it back then.

Same Time, Different Vibes

Watercolor and gouache were both used a lot in the ’50s, but for different things.

Watercolor was great for anything with a mood: cloudy skies, beaches at night, foggy cities. It was good at being subtle. Because the edges are soft and you can see through it, it was great for backgrounds.

Gouache was used when things needed to be clear and really pop. Like product boxes, magazine covers, movie posters, and ads. They needed strong shapes and colors that would look good when printed. Gouache’s flat look and full coverage were perfect.

A lot of artists used both. They might use watercolor for the background, then add gouache for words, the main thing in the picture, or important little details.

How They Work When You Paint

If you’re about to paint with them, here’s what it is like without being too technical.

With watercolor, you’re always thinking: how much water did I use? Too much, and you get weird puddles. Just right, and you get those smooth transitions. If you paint a dark spot, you usually can’t just paint a light color right on top. Planning is important.

Gouache is more forgiving. You can paint a dark blue dress and then add a light yellow pattern on top of it. You can fix edges, cover up mistakes, or change your mind about a color. It still works with water, so it is not as fixed as acrylic or oil, but you have more control.

They also look different when you’re done. Watercolor often has a glow because you can see the paper. Gouache dries flat, almost like it was printed. That is why ’50s artists used it so much.

Which One Should You Start With?

Honestly, it is more about your personality than your skills.

If you like things soft, like surprises, and want to chill out, watercolor will probably feel more natural. It lets you let go and have fun with how the water moves the color.

If you like clear shapes, solid colors, and being able to fix stuff, gouache might be better. It is especially good if you like posters, cartoons, or cool ’50s designs.

The cool thing is, you don’t have to pick just one. A lot of people start with watercolor, then add gouache later. Others start with gouache and then mix in watercolor once they get the hang of it.

Easy Ways to Get Started

You don’t need a whole art studio to try them. A small set of paints, some good paper, and a few brushes are enough.

If you want to start with watercolor, buying a set is a great idea so you don’t have to stress about what to buy. The watercolor kits from Tobios Kits are a good example: everything works together, they are easy to carry, and they are great for learning how the paint works. Later, you can add some tubes of gouache and start painting with that too, without starting all over.

Mixing Them Together

Some of the best art comes from using both watercolor and gouache.

You might start a scene with watercolor: a soft blue sky, light pink buildings, a hint of trees. After it dries, you add gouache for the lettering on a store, the bright red of a car, or white in someone’s hair.

That combo feels very ’50s: soft and dreamy plus strong design. It is like a gentle background with big, bold letters on an old poster.

Adding Some ’50s Magic to Your Art

Gouache vs. watercolor is not about which one is better. It is like choosing between two great records from the same time. One might be right for today, the other for tomorrow, but both are worth having.

Watercolor will teach you to see light, love the flow, and be okay with surprises. Gouache will teach you to think in shapes, design your picture, and go for strong colors.

If you want that old feeling from magazines, posters, and book covers, try both. Start small, paint a lot, and let yourself have fun. They are the same tools artists used back then, but what you do with them is totally up to you.