I recently picked up a set of art rangers gouache to see if it lives up to the hype, and honestly, I was pretty surprised by what I found. If you've spent any time looking for affordable art supplies lately, you've probably seen these tubes or sets popping up on your social media feeds or in the aisles of your local craft store. Gouache is one of those mediums that can be really intimidating because the high-end stuff is pricey, but this brand seems to be filling a gap for people who want to play with pigment without emptying their bank accounts.
I've spent the last few weeks messing around with different colors, trying different papers, and seeing how this paint holds up when it's layered, blended, and watered down. There's a lot to talk about, from the consistency to the way it dries, so let's just dive into the details.
First Impressions and Consistency
When you first squeeze a bit of art rangers gouache out of the tube, the first thing you notice is the texture. It's surprisingly creamy. Sometimes with "budget" paints, you get this weird oily separation where a clear liquid comes out before the pigment does, but I didn't really have that issue here. It has a nice, buttery feel that reminds me more of a heavy-body acrylic than a traditional watercolor.
One thing that makes this brand stand out is that they offer a few different types of gouache. You can find the standard matte sets, but they also have metallic, neon, and even glitter versions. For this review, I mostly stuck to the classic matte colors because that's what most people are looking for when they want to paint landscapes or illustrations. The paint spreads easily across the paper, and a little bit goes a long way, which is always a plus when you're trying to make your supplies last.
Color Range and Vibrancy
I was actually quite impressed with the pigment load in the art rangers gouache sets. The colors are bright—like, really bright. Sometimes cheaper paints look "ashy" or dull once they dry, but these kept a lot of their punch. The primary colors are solid, and the greens and blues are particularly deep.
I will say, though, that some of the lighter shades or the "tinted" colors can feel a little chalky. That's a common thing with student-grade gouache because they use more fillers to keep the cost down. It's not a deal-breaker by any means, but it's something to keep in mind if you like to do a lot of very thin, transparent washes. If you're using it straight from the tube or with just a tiny bit of water, the opacity is actually quite good.
How it Handles Layering and Opacity
The whole point of using gouache is that it's supposed to be opaque. You want to be able to paint light colors over dark colors—that's the "magic" of the medium. I put the art rangers gouache to the test by painting a dark navy background and then trying to layer a pale yellow on top once it was dry.
To my surprise, it covered pretty well! It took maybe two coats to get a perfectly solid yellow over that dark blue, but for the price, that's fantastic. It doesn't "lift" the bottom layer too much, either. Some cheap gouache is notorious for reactivating the second you touch it with a wet brush, which turns your painting into a muddy mess. While this paint does reactivate (as all gouache should), it's stable enough that you can layer over it if you're careful and don't scrub the paper.
Using it Like Watercolor
Even though it's meant to be opaque, you can totally water down art rangers gouache to get a watercolor effect. I tried this for some sky washes, and it worked decently. It's not going to flow quite as beautifully as a high-end professional watercolor would, but for sketchbook studies or quick warm-ups, it does the job.
One thing I noticed is that when it's heavily diluted, you can see a bit of that chalkiness I mentioned earlier. It's most noticeable on dark paper or if you're really looking for it. But if you're just using it for a base layer before adding more opaque details on top, it won't bother you at all.
The Drying Process and Finish
Gouache is famous for changing colors as it dries. Usually, light colors dry darker and dark colors dry lighter. The art rangers gouache definitely follows this rule. I found that the dark reds and blues dried a shade or two lighter than they looked when they were wet. It takes a little bit of practice to get used to, but once you know it's coming, you can adjust your mixing accordingly.
The finish is a nice, flat matte. There's almost no shine to it at all, which makes it perfect for scanning your artwork or taking photos for Instagram. There's nothing worse than a beautiful painting with a giant glare right in the middle because the paint dried "plastic-y." You won't have that problem here; it looks very "velvety" on the page.
Who is Art Rangers Gouache For?
I think this paint is a "must-try" for a few specific types of people. First off, beginners. If you've never tried gouache before and you don't want to spend fifty dollars on a tiny set of professional tubes, this is a perfect entry point. It gives you the "feel" of the medium without the financial stress.
It's also great for hobbyists and sketchbook artists. I love using it in my daily sketchbook because I don't feel like I'm "wasting" expensive paint on a page that nobody might ever see. It allows you to be more experimental and messy, which is where the best art usually happens anyway.
If you're a professional illustrator doing work for high-end clients or selling original gallery pieces, you might find the lightfastness (how much the color fades over time) to be a concern. Like most budget brands, they don't provide a ton of info on how these pigments hold up over twenty years in the sun. But for 90% of us who are just painting for fun or for digital reproduction, it's a non-issue.
A Few Tips for Success
If you decide to grab some art rangers gouache, here are a few things I learned while using it:
- Don't leave the caps off. This stuff dries fast. If you leave a tube open for ten minutes while you're distracted, you're going to have a crusty mess.
- Use a stay-wet palette. If you're doing a long painting session, put your paint on a damp paper towel or use a dedicated stay-wet palette. It keeps the paint creamy for hours.
- Watch your water. Since this is student-grade, adding too much water can make the pigment break apart. Try to use the "milk" consistency—not too thick, but not like water either.
- Try the metallics. Seriously, the metallic set from this brand is actually a lot of fun for adding little highlights or decorative borders to your work.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, art rangers gouache is an incredible value. Is it the best paint in the entire world? Probably not. Is it some of the best paint you can get for this price point? Absolutely. It's fun, vibrant, and surprisingly easy to work with.
It's rare to find a budget brand that doesn't feel like "kids' paint," but this feels like a legitimate tool for artists. Whether you're just starting your creative journey or you're an experienced painter looking for a cheap set to mess around with on the weekends, I'd say give it a shot. You might just find yourself reaching for these tubes more often than your "fancy" supplies.
It's always a good reminder that you don't need the most expensive gear to make something beautiful. Sometimes all you need is a decent set of paint, some paper, and the willingness to make a bit of a mess. Happy painting!