Designer gouache paint SMARTMAX Blue 14 ml tube — water-based artist colour

SMARTMAX Designers Gouache Blue (Ultramarine) in a 14 ml tube is an opaque, water-based artist colour designed for illustration, graphic design and mixed-media work. The paint offers a deep, transparent-leaning ultramarine hue rendered as an opaque matt finish, developed for precise colour layering, retouching and details on paper and board.

Advantages

The gouache provides strong pigment coverage with a fast rewetting ability and a flat matte surface when dry. Its formulation allows intermixing with other designers' gouache tones and controlled pairing with transparent watercolours for varied effects. Supplied in a convenient 14 ml tube, it suits detailed work and small-scale projects where accurate colour control is required.

Suitable for

• Illustration and commercial artwork
• Graphic design mock-ups and layouts
• Mixed-media pieces on paper or board
• Retouching, colour overlays and calligraphic details

When it may not be suitable

Because this is an opaque matt gouache, it is not intended for effects that require permanent gloss or varnished finishes. It may be less suitable for painting directly onto non-absorbent surfaces without an appropriate ground or primer. For large-scale exterior applications or prolonged exposure to moisture, a different medium with greater outdoor durability is recommended.

Key specifications

• Formulation: water-based opaque gouache
• Finish: matte when dry
• Tube size: 14 ml
• Colour: Ultramarine (deep blue)
• Rewetting: fast
• Compatible supports: paper, illustration board and primed surfaces

How to use

Squeeze a small amount of paint from the tube onto a palette and dilute with clean water to achieve the desired opacity. Apply with brushes suitable for gouache; layer after drying for crisp overlays or rewet lightly to blend edges. Clean brushes with water immediately after use. When combining with transparent watercolours, test mixtures first to achieve the intended flat matte or semi-transparent effects.

What to consider before purchase

• Intended surface — best on paper and board or primed supports
• Desired finish — matte and opaque, not glossy
• Colour mixing — intermixable with other designers' gouache tones, may alter transparency when combined with watercolours
• Tube size — 14 ml suitable for small to medium projects

Usage recommendations

For precise illustration work, use fine brushes and allow each layer to dry fully before applying the next. Store the tube capped and in a cool, dry place to preserve rewetting performance and pigment quality.