If you’ve ever wondered how DANIEL SMITH Extra Fine™ Gouache performs on different prepared surfaces, this experiment is for you! I’m comparing two of DANIEL SMITH’s most popular grounds — DANIEL SMITH Acrylic Gesso and DANIEL SMITH Watercolor Ground — side by side on two different substrates: mat board scraps and birch wood art panels. But the application possibilities go far beyond the two examples I’ve used here!

Priming your surface lets you customize how your paint behaves and opens up new possibilities:

• DANIEL SMITH Acrylic Gesso creates a smooth waterproof ground that’s perfect for opaque mediums like gouache.

• DANIEL SMITH Watercolor Ground transforms almost any surface — wood, mat board, canvas, metal, or plastic — into one that can accept watercolor or gouache with a soft, absorbent feel.

Two sets of test surfaces were prepared: scraps of mat board and birch wood art panels. Each one was divided in half — one half coated with Acrylic Gesso, the other with Watercolor Ground — then painted with the same gouache palette for a true side-by-side comparison.

A Note on Prepping Wood Panels:

Before applying either Gesso or Watercolor Ground, I lightly sanded the birch wood panels with a very fine grit sandpaper (220–400 grit) to smooth out the surface and remove any raised grain. After sanding, I wiped away all dust with a clean, dry cloth. This ensures the Gesso or Ground adheres evenly and gives you a smooth, stable surface for painting with gouache.

Gesso: On both wood and mat board, gouache sits more on the surface, staying vivid and reworkable longer. Edges stay crisp, making it perfect for detail work and clean color blocking. The Gesso surface itself has a bit more of a “shine” to it.

Watercolor Ground: Creates a softer, more absorbent feel. Gouache soaks in slightly, giving a velvety matte look with lovely diffused edges. On wood panels, you can even use the Transparent Watercolor Ground to let the natural grain peek through if you like a rustic touch! Watercolor Ground dries textured and matte itself, which gives a feel more akin to watercolor paper.

• Use multiple thin coats of Gesso or Ground for even coverage — especially on porous wood. If using cardboard or mat board, be sure to coat both sides to avoid warping!

• Let Watercolor Ground cure for at least 24 hours before painting to get the best surface. For optimal results, apply in thin layers, letting each layer dry overnight. For a smooth surface, you can also gently sand between each layer.

• Always lightly sand raw wood panels first to help the ground adhere smoothly.
• Swatch your colors first so you can test how they lift, layer, and blend on each surface.

What I love most is how flexible these two options are! For detail-heavy work or crisp, bold color, Gesso is my favorite. For soft blends and delicate textures, Watercolor Ground has a gorgeous, dreamy look. Together, they give you the freedom to paint wherever your inspiration takes you — whether you’re upcycling mat board scraps or using beautiful birch wood panels.

• DANIEL SMITH Extra Fine™ Gouache colors: Raw Sienna, Buff Titanium, Cascade Green, Olive Green, and Indian Red

• DANIEL SMITH Acrylic Gesso in Titanium White and DANIEL SMITH Watercolor Ground in Titanium White. (While the clean, bold white is a classic, Transparent, Iridescent Gold, Pearlescent White, Buff Titanium, and even Mars Black are fun to experiment with as well!)

• Gloves to protect your hands and an apron to protect clothing
• Mat board scraps (archival if possible)
• Wooden art panels (lightly sanded and dust-free)

• Fine grit sandpaper (400 grit)
• Painter’s tape (optional for clean edges)

• Foam brush or foam roller/paintbrush

• Palette knife (optional, a fun way to apply and mix gouache)
• Brushes, mixing palette, and water container

Prepping your surfaces with Gesso or Watercolor Ground opens up endless possibilities for where you can paint with DANIEL SMITH Extra Fine™ Gouache — from everyday items to natural wood panels.

Which surface will you try first?
Tag @danielsmithartistsmaterials on Instagram — they would love to see your creativity!