The art of the gouache: Hélène and Jeanne Karpov

January 2026


The art of the gouache: Hélène and Jeanne Karpov

Hélène and Jeanne Karpov are renowned designers and gouache artists with a combined 40+ years of professional experience with prestigious maisons on Paris’ Place Vendôme. Curious and passionate, they have developed exclusive personal techniques that enrich the traditional heritage of high jewelry gouache techniques practiced in luxury maisons. Today, they have chosen to democratize these methods by making them accessible to everyone.

"W

e are twin sisters, designers and gouacheurs who, for more than two decades, have collaborated with the most prestigious jewellery Houses. You may already have seen some of our work without realising, as we produce many of our gouaches and designs in complete confidentiality.

So as to share our expertise in this little-known art, we create imaginary pieces such as this Opal Peacock, for which we chose only the most extraordinary materials: an ostrich feather, a black opal and, of course, diamonds. This is our way of lifting the veil on a discreet yet irreplaceable technique, and making it more visible.

We are proud to contribute to the recognition, preservation and advancement of the jewellery gouache. This inspired us to launch The Art of the Gouache, our platform of online courses where we teach this traditional craft, instilled with beauty, poetry and authenticity. It is our wish to pass on this living legacy and to safeguard it for the future as a gesture of refinement and the exceptional, not least in an age of digital technology and artificial intelligence.”