Final answer:
The assertion that gouache contains a chalk-like substance making it opaque is true. Gouache is characterized by larger pigment particles and the addition of chalk, unlike transparent watercolor, providing a more robust color and opacity.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that gouache is paint whose pigment has been mixed with a chalk-like material and makes the paint opaque is True. Gouache differs from transparent watercolor by having larger particles, a higher ratio of pigment to water, and the presence of an additional inert white pigment such as chalk, which contributes to its opaqueness.
Unlike transparent watercolor that relies on the paper to reflect light, gouache reflects light off its own surface, providing a strong color that is ideal for covering large areas without relying on the paper's whiteness. Gouache is known for its inability to hold up in thick applications or impasto, as it can crack and fall away, yet it functions well in thinner layers.
It's found in various cultural art forms, such as 16th-century Iranian manuscripts that display vivid colors and intricate patterns, along with its use in modern compositions by artists like Jacob Lawrence.