HIMI Jelly Gouache Review

In this blog post, I’m going to share my thoughts on the popular HIMI jelly gouache set and compare it to my go-to gouache paint, Winsor and Newtown designer gouache. If you’re looking to learn more about HIMI gouache paint so you can find out if it’s a good fit for you, I’ll cover the pros and cons in this post. 

Want to see a side-by-side comparison of HIMI gouache and designer gouache? Check out this YouTube video where I paint the same painting in my sketchbook with each type of gouache.

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HIMI Gouache Review

The HIMI gouache set is so cute, and it comes with a great variety of fun colors. I can see why it’s so popular! The paint straight out of the jelly cup is already pretty wet. This means you don’t really have to add any water to get it to the ideal gouache consistency of heavy cream. This is great for beginners since mastering gouache consistency can be a tricky part of learning to paint with gouache

When I started to paint with the HIMI gouache I noticed that it was more transparent than a higher-quality designer gouache. This meant that I had to paint multiple layers to get the flat matte coverage of a higher-quality gouache. 

Since I needed to paint more layers, the HIMI gouache dried pretty streaky as well. But at the end of the day, I enjoyed painting with it and I especially enjoyed the brush set it came with! If you’re just starting out as a gouache beginner, HIMI gouache could be a great option for you!

HIMI Jelly Gouache Pros and Cons

Pros: 

• Comes with amazing brushes

• Friendly price point - great for beginners

• Adorable packaging and lots of fun colors to choose from

Cons:

• More transparent than designer gouache

• It takes multiple layers to get good coverage

• Dries a little streaky

• Unsure of the lightfastness or stability of the colors for the long term (meaning paintings can fade or change colors)

Designer Gouache Comparison

As a professional artist, I use Winsor & Newton designer gouache for almost all of my work. I also recommend Holbein gouache. 

While designer gouache is more expensive than student-grade gouache, you don’t need as much of it to get good coverage. Plus you don’t need to have every color under the sun. You can get a big tube of white and pick a few of your favorite colors to get started. Then you can mix your own colors from there!

Designer Gouache Pros:

• Higher-quality pigment means more saturated colors

• You only need one layer for good coverage

• Dries smooth and matte compared to more streaky student gouache

• Can be used for professional projects because the pigments and paints are all graded for their longevity and lightfastness

Designer Gouache Cons:

• Higher price point than student-grade gouache

The Verdict?

HIMI gouache (or any student-grade gouache) is good for beginners and hobbyists! If you’re just playing and practicing in your sketchbook, HIMI gouache is a fantastic starting point. However, you’ll get better results faster with designer gouache, which may give you more satisfaction and joy out of your paintings. If you want to create something professional or that will last a long time, I definitely recommend springing for designer gouache. This would be a great starter set. Using a higher quality paint means your piece will last longer and have a more elevated look than if you use a student-grade gouache.

And I will say, I LOVE the HIMI gouache brushes! I’ve been using them in my professional projects with my Winsor & Newton gouache. They have just the right level of softness and springiness that makes them perfect for gouache painting.

Want to check out all my art supply recommendations? Browse all my favorites here!