Caran d'Ache Gouache Studio 15 Colour Tablet Set – Swiss-Made Gouache for Artists and Painting Classes
Discover the pleasure of working with genuinely well-crafted gouache with the Caran d'Ache Gouache Studio 15 Colour Set. Made in Caran d'Ache's own factory in Geneva, Switzerland, this beautifully presented tin brings together 14 richly pigmented colour tablets and a 12ml tube of white, accompanied by a paintbrush — everything you need to start painting straight away. Rooted in traditional manufacturing methods and made with a natural plant-based binder, Gouache Studio is a versatile, high-quality paint that is as enjoyable for amateur artists and painting classes as it is for more experienced practitioners.
Traditional Swiss Craftsmanship What sets Caran d'Ache Gouache Studio apart is the manufacturing process. The paint is slowly cooked and then cut and dried in the open air — a traditional method that produces tablets with exceptionally even pigment distribution, consistent colour density, and a smooth, reliable application. This time-honoured approach is not merely heritage for its own sake; it genuinely results in better-performing paint. The open-air drying process contributes directly to the luminosity and evenness of colour that Gouache Studio is known for, producing results that are noticeably richer and more vibrant than mass-produced alternatives.
Natural Plant-Based Binder, No Plasticisers Gouache Studio is a water-based paint bound with a natural vegetable binder and made without plasticisers. This matters because a natural binder contributes to the flexibility of the dried paint film — meaning it does not crack over time the way some synthetic formulations can — and delivers a smooth, velvety matte finish that is characteristic of quality gouache. The absence of plasticisers also means the paint remains reworkable with water after drying, giving you the freedom to make adjustments, correct mistakes, or blend back into dried layers as you work.
High Pigment Concentration for Luminous, Opaque Colour Each tablet contains a high concentration of quality pigment, which gives the colours their characteristic vibrancy, strong covering power, and good light resistance. Because the pigment load is high, a little paint goes a long way — making the set genuinely economical to use over time. The colours can be applied thickly for a fully opaque, matte finish, or diluted with more water for softer, more translucent effects that approach the quality of watercolour washes, giving you considerable versatility from a single set.
What's Included The 15-colour set contains 14 colour tablets covering a broad spectrum of essential hues — including yellows, oranges, reds, blues, greens, earth tones, and black — alongside a 12ml tube of white and a paintbrush. The 14 pans and tube of white format is a deliberate choice: white is the most heavily used colour in gouache painting and having it in tube format ensures you have a generous supply without the pan running down quickly. The entire set is housed in a practical, ecological metal tin that is robust enough for studio use and compact enough to take to classes or workshops.
Opaque and Transparent Techniques in One Set Gouache Studio's versatility is one of its strongest qualities. Applied straight from the pan with minimal water, it delivers dense, opaque coverage ideal for bold flat areas of colour, graphic illustration, lettering, and detailed work on coloured or dark paper. Diluted more generously, it produces translucent watercolour-like washes with a characteristic soft luminosity. The two approaches can be combined freely in a single piece, making Gouache Studio a highly flexible medium for mixed techniques, illustration, design work, and fine art painting.
Swiss Made in an Ecological Metal Tin The set is packaged in a practical metal tin produced to Caran d'Ache's usual standard — robust, reusable, and ecologically minded. The tin keeps the tablets protected and secure and is slim enough to store easily in a studio, bag, or art class kit. The Swiss Made designation reflects Caran d'Ache's enduring commitment to manufacturing everything in their Geneva factory to the highest possible standard, a commitment that sets them apart in an industry increasingly dominated by mass-produced product.
Who Is This Set For? The Caran d'Ache Gouache Studio 15 set is recommended for amateur artists, hobby painters, and painting class participants who want a quality step up from basic school gouache, as well as more experienced artists looking for a reliable, versatile pan set with genuine Swiss craftsmanship behind it. It is also an excellent and thoughtful gift for anyone with an interest in painting.
Contains: 14 colour tablets, 1 x 12ml tube of white, 1 paintbrush. Water-based, natural binder, no plasticisers. Swiss Made. CE EN71 compliant. Not suitable for children under 3 years.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Gouache Studio and standard school gouache? Caran d'Ache Gouache Studio uses a traditional slow-cooking and open-air drying manufacturing process, a natural plant-based binder, and a significantly higher pigment concentration than standard school or student-grade gouache. This results in more vibrant, luminous colours with better light resistance, stronger covering power, a smoother and more flexible paint film that does not crack, and a more consistent application. The absence of plasticisers also means the paint handles differently — more responsively and with a more refined velvety finish — than cheaper alternatives.
Why does the set include a tube of white rather than a pan? White is the most frequently used colour in gouache painting. It is used to lighten other colours, create highlights, mix pastel shades, and cover or correct areas of a painting. Because it is consumed much faster than other colours, Caran d'Ache supply it as a 12ml tube rather than a standard-sized pan, giving you a more generous quantity straight away and ensuring it does not run out disproportionately quickly compared to the rest of the set.
Can Gouache Studio tablets be used like watercolours? Yes. When diluted with more water than you would use for opaque coverage, Gouache Studio produces translucent, luminous washes that are similar in character to watercolour. This makes it a highly versatile medium — you can work opaquely for flat, bold colour areas, and more transparently for delicate washes and soft effects, often combining both approaches within a single painting. This flexibility is one of the reasons gouache is such a popular choice for illustrators and designers as well as fine artists.
Is the paint reworkable after it dries? Yes. Gouache Studio remains water-soluble after drying, which means you can reactivate it with a damp brush to blend, soften, correct, or rework areas even after they have dried on the paper. This is both an advantage — it allows for corrections and adjustments — and something to be mindful of when layering, as wet layers applied over dried gouache can partially reactivate the layer beneath. For clean, opaque layering, allow each layer to dry fully before applying the next, and work with a loaded brush rather than scrubbing.
What surfaces can I use Gouache Studio on? Gouache Studio is suitable for use on paper and cardboard as its primary surfaces, and also works well on fabric, leather, and wood according to suppliers of the range. For best results on paper, use a heavier paper — watercolour paper of 200gsm or above — as lighter papers can buckle significantly when wet paint is applied. Hot-pressed or cold-pressed watercolour paper both work well. Gouache can also be used on toned or coloured papers, where the opacity of the paint allows you to work with both light and dark colours effectively.
How do I care for the colour tablets between painting sessions? Allow the tablets to dry out fully between sessions before closing the tin, as closing the lid while the pans are still damp can cause colours to bleed into one another. If a tablet becomes cracked or very hard after extended use in dry conditions, a small drop of clean water left on the surface for a few minutes before painting will reactivate it. Keep the tin away from direct sunlight and excessive heat. The metal tin is robust and designed for repeated use over a long period.
Is Gouache Studio lightfast? Caran d'Ache Gouache Studio has good light resistance for a paint in this category. As with all gouache, it is a water-based opaque medium rather than a fine art permanent medium, and individual pigments vary in their long-term lightfastness. For work intended to be displayed permanently or reproduced professionally, it is worth treating finished pieces with appropriate care — scanning work before display, keeping pieces away from direct UV light, or using UV-protective glass when framing. For illustration, sketchbook work, design, and class projects, the light resistance is more than adequate.
How does Gouache Studio compare to Caran d'Ache's Gouache Eco range? Caran d'Ache offers two gouache ranges: Gouache Studio and Gouache Eco. Gouache Studio is positioned as the higher-quality range, using the traditional slow-cooking and open-air drying process with a natural vegetable binder for superior pigment evenness and luminosity. Gouache Eco is more entry-level and oriented towards younger users and basic educational use. For adult amateur painters, hobbyists, and anyone seeking a quality gouache for serious painting or classes, Gouache Studio is the appropriate choice.
What painting techniques work well with Gouache Studio? Gouache Studio is suitable for a wide range of techniques including flat opaque colour laying, wet-on-wet blending, dry brushwork, glazing with diluted washes, working on toned papers, detailed illustration, lettering and hand-painted typography, botanical and nature illustration, graphic design painting, and mixed media work alongside pencils, inks, and watercolours. The versatility of the medium — moving fluidly between opaque and translucent applications — makes it particularly well-suited to illustration and design contexts, as well as fine art painting in the studio or at a painting class.
Is this set suitable for children? Caran d'Ache Gouache Studio is CE EN71 compliant, meaning it meets European toy safety standards. However, the product is designated as not suitable for children under 3 years due to small parts. For older children and young adults engaged in serious art or design education, Gouache Studio is an excellent choice — the quality of the paint makes it a genuine teaching tool rather than a toy, and working with well-made materials helps develop a proper understanding of how gouache should behave.
Is Caran d'Ache Gouache Studio made in Switzerland? Yes. Caran d'Ache is a Swiss company that has manufactured all of its products in its own factory in Geneva since its founding. The Swiss Made designation on Gouache Studio reflects this commitment to in-house production and quality control. This is increasingly rare in the art materials industry, where manufacturing is commonly outsourced, and it is a meaningful guarantee of consistency, craftsmanship, and quality that distinguishes Caran d'Ache from many competitors.