gouache painting questions so beginner I'm almost afraid to ask

Can I learn to paint gouache?  How hard can it be?  

I have a lot more questions and maybe others do too and can join in.  This is a safe place to ask.

I'm having a blast learning watercolour painting but I've gotten this idea that maybe I could try gouache.

First question:  

If I write "gouache" is it assumed I'm talking about the water-soluble kind?  Or do I have to say something specific to separate it from the gouache that is in an acrylic base?

Next question:

Is it going to stink?  
One of the big reasons for choosing watercolours is that most brands use natural binders which don't stink up the house.

Are any of the binders icky health-harming chemicals (like acrylics and some styles of oil painting)?  


And another  question:

What paper do I use?  Gouache can be painted on paper, right?  
There seems to be mixed advise online, so I would love to hear from people who have tried this medium.  

One of the reasons I want to learn gouache is Gandalf.



Well, at least it's wizard shaped, but not bad for my first painting of a human.  

I heard that we can get a gouache-like effect by mixing gouache white with watercolours so I used it when I experimented with the Zorn limited palette (black, vermillion, yellow ochre, and white).  I also wanted to see why we don't use white in watercolour by seeing what happens when we do.  


So I've ordered the Zorn colours and would like to see what I can do with these colours in gouache.  But I know I'll have a lot of questions.  

What is the difference between gouache and a starter watercolour like amazonbasic that is half chalk?

Let's try this.

Which is worse?  Gouache going mouldy or drying out?

r ranson wrote:Let's try this.

Which is worse?  Gouache going mouldy or drying out?

My not exactly educated guess would be mold is worse. At least with it drying out, you'd have a chance to revive it. Mold, on the other hand, I'd be inclined to toss in the trash.