I picked up some student-grade gouache from Winsor & Newton last month and whenever I do thick layers, they crack as they dry completely. Thin layers seem fine. Is it a quality issue or am I applying it wrong?
Keep your layers thinner and build up gradually instead of laying down one thick coat, and that cracking should stop.
Gouache is basically pigment and binder, and when it dries fast (which thick layers do unevenly), the top dries before the bottom, causing those stress cracks. Student-grade paint does have less binder than professional stuff, so it's more prone to this, but the real fix is technique - work in multiple thin passes and you'll be fine.
Some people also add a tiny bit of water mixed in to help it stay flexible as it cures, though that takes some experimenting to get right.
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