The Truth About Himi Jelly Gouache
If you’re an artist on social media, you’ve probably heard of Miya Himi Jelly Gouache. It’s a brand that’s gained quite a bit of popularity in recent years, and it’s not hard to see why. Himi Jelly Gouache comes in various vibrant colors, and the unique jelly-like consistency is fun and engaging. However, as with any art supply, there are pros and cons to using Himi Jelly Gouache, and I’m here to help you navigate them.
Table of Contents
- Advantages of Himi Jelly Gouache
- Disadvantages of Himi Jelly Gouache
- Himi Jelly Gouache and Beginners
- Conclusion
You can also watch the video where I review Himi Gouache and compare it to Holbein
Advantages of Himi Jelly Gouache
It’s fun to use! The jelly-like consistency is unique and adds extra enjoyment to the painting process. It can also be a great way to get kids or beginners excited about painting. Many artists use it all over social media, inspiring you to dive into gouache. But beware, those achieving masterpieces with gouache are not beginners!
It’s not expensive and easy to find in different sizes with many colors. This is the cheapest gouache at US$4.50 per 100 ml. You can compare it to artist-quality grade.
But as my grandma would say, you get what you pay for!
Disadvantages of Himi Jelly Gouache
Storage in cups will make the gouache dry.
One of the biggest issues many artists have encountered is the gouache hardening over time, making it challenging. This can be especially frustrating if you’ve only used the gouache a few times and then returned to it weeks or months later, only to find it unusable.
The cup is the worst way to store gouache as a large paint surface is exposed to air. You can keep the lid and place it back on the paint after each painting session, spray water on it, and store it in the fridge… No matter what, you’ll get dry paint with rocks of color at some point.
Sure, you can use dry gouache for painting, but you’ll never get back to the creamy consistency of it, and it will be more watercolor than gouache.
You have to stir the paint in the cups.
Even if you store your Himi Jelly Gouache properly, you may still find that it separates over time, with the binder and pigments separating. In this case, you’ll need to stir the gouache each time you use it to ensure that the binder and pigments are thoroughly mixed together. This can be time-consuming, but it’s necessary to ensure that your colors are consistent and that the gouache is easy to work with.
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Your colors will get contaminated.
As the paint is stored in cups, you dip your brush inside and cross-contaminate your colors. You can use a palette knife to pick a bit of paint and place it on the palette, but when you’re in the flow of painting, you will dip your blue brush in the white paint. And you white will not be white anymore. It requires a lot of discipline to pick the colors with a separate object from the brush.
High ratio binder/pigments.
Another issue with Himi Jelly Gouache is the high binder-to-pigment ratio. It’s cheap paint, so they fill the cups with many binders and a few pigments.
Artist-quality gouache typically has a higher pigment-to-binder ratio, meaning the colors are more vibrant and opaque. With Himi Jelly Gouache, on the other hand, you may find that the colors could be stronger and more opaque, which can be frustrating when you’re trying to layer colors.
Additionally, because there is more binder and less pigment, you may need to use more of the Himi Jelly Gouache to achieve the same level of coverage as you would with artist-quality gouache. Your paint will be very thick, with visible brushstrokes and much texture.
You have no information on lightfastness.
Another important issue to consider when using Himi Jelly Gouache is lightfastness. Unfortunately, no information is available on the pigments used in the gouache, so it’s difficult to know how lightfast they are. All other gouache brands have information on the pigments used.
Lightfastness refers to the ability of a pigment to resist fading or discoloration when exposed to light over time. It’s crucial for any artist who wants their work to stand the test of time and remain vibrant and true to color for years.
Knowing the pigments used in Himi Jelly Gouache is necessary to say how lightfast the colors will be. If you’re working on a piece that you want to last for a long time, use artist-quality gouache with a proven track record for lightfastness.
Of course, if you’re painting for fun or short-term projects, this may not be as much of an issue. But if you’re looking to create pieces that will last for years or even decades, it’s essential to consider your materials’ lightfastness and choose accordingly.
Blending colors is difficult with Himi gouache.
Blending colors is essential to creating beautiful artwork, but unfortunately, some artists (including me) have found that Himi Jelly Gouache can be challenging to blend. This is because the gouache has a high binder content, which can make it harder to blend smoothly.
When blending colors with Himi Jelly Gouache, you may find that the colors don’t mix as easily as you’d like. The binder can create a barrier between the pigments, making achieving a smooth, seamless blend harder.
This doesn’t mean you can’t blend colors with Himi Jelly Gouache, but it may require more effort and patience than you’re used to. You may need to work more slowly and deliberately, layering colors and blending them carefully to achieve the effect you’re looking for.
Of course, every artist is different; some may find Himi Jelly Gouache perfectly easy to blend. But if you’re finding it difficult, don’t get discouraged! It’s not you. It’s the paint!
Himi Jelly Gouache and Beginners
Should you use Himi gouache if you’ve never painted with gouache?
As an art teacher, I often get questions from beginners interested in trying out new art supplies, including Himi Jelly Gouache. While this type of gouache can be a lot of fun, it’s important to note that it can also present some challenges for beginners.
One of the biggest challenges with Himi Jelly Gouache is the need to stir the paints frequently, as the binder can separate from the pigments over time. If you need to mix your 24 cups before each painting session, you’ll get discouraged even before painting! And if you don’t stir, you may pick more binder than paint.
Another challenge is blending colors, which we touched on earlier. This can be especially tricky for beginners still learning to mix and blend colors effectively.
If you’re a beginner interested in trying out gouache but feeling a bit intimidated by the challenges of Himi Jelly Gouache, don’t worry! There are plenty of other options out there that may be better suited to your needs.
Other (good) gouache options for beginners
Try out a set of student-grade gouache paints. These are often more affordable than artist-quality gouache, and they tend to have a lower binder content, making them easier to blend and work with. I recommend this set by Arteza. At 8$ per 100 ml, it’s twice the price of Himi and twice the quality!
Plus, you don’t need so many colors when painting. You can buy a limited color palette and get stunning work if you learn how to mix your colors, an essential skill for an artist. If you want to go for artist-quality grade, you have many different options. I’ve been testing several brands and recommend this set by Holbein. You can watch my review of Holbein here.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while Himi Jelly Gouache can be a lot of fun, it’s essential to know its unique properties and challenges. From its high binder content to its difficulty in blending, this gouache may not be the best choice for everyone, especially beginners still learning the ropes.
That said, if you’re an experienced gouache user looking for a new challenge or a fun new art supply to experiment with, Himi Jelly Gouache is worth checking out. Store your paints properly, stir them frequently, and mix your colors thoroughly to get the best results.
And if you’re a beginner feeling intimidated by the challenges of Himi Jelly Gouache, don’t worry! There are plenty of other options out there that may be better suited to your needs. With some experimentation and practice, you’ll soon find the perfect gouache for your artistic goals and preferences.
The most important thing is to keep creating, experimenting, and having fun with your art. Whether you’re using Himi Jelly Gouache or another type of gouache, remember that the joy of creating is in the process, not just the result. So don’t be afraid to take risks, make mistakes, and try new things – that’s how we grow as artists!
