Watercolor Materials List
Getting Started With Watercolor
Some say that you need to start out with the best materials and supplies when beginning your art journey. The truth is, most of us did not. We started with what we had or could afford. We just kept on painting regardless. Eventually, we added better brushes and paint to our supplies as we better understood what we wanted to achieve (and could afford to). With this in mind, I have put together a list for beginner/Intermediate painters that is both economic and quality.
Paper - Do not bother with the 90lb watercolor paper. It will warp as your tears hit the pages realizing it won’t hold up. Stay with 140lb and when you are working on a special project, spring for the 300lb. Most 140lb watercolor paper pads are fine, but I found these papers recently and they have cotton in the weave. Yummy!
Yes, 120 sheets. In for a penny - in for a pound I say! At this price you won’t feel like you are wasting paper as you practice. Use both sides. Make cards and book marks from your trials. Have fun!
Brushes - Here’s where a little extra goes a loooooong way. You only need a few brushes, but you will want them to do as they are told.
Rosemary brushes are excellent as are Robert Simmons. Try for at least a sable or sable blend for your round brushes so that they hold plenty of paint/water and still come to a nice point.You will want a larger wash brush - I like the Rosemary Dagger style and also use the Hake (japanese style brush). You can get some great texture for landscapes from a fan brush and use a synthetic Brite brush to cut into and pull out paint. As you find your style and subject of preference you will add to your collection. I advise just getting the minimum and developing your skills before adding more. They multiply like rabbits!
Rosemary - sz. 6 and 10 round
SERIES 99. POINTED PURE SABLE (rosemaryandco.com)
Rosemary sable fan - a sz. 4 or 2.
SERIES 95. PURE SABLE FAN (rosemaryandco.com)
Rosemary Hake - start with a 50mm
SERIES 788. GOAT HAIR HAKE (rosemaryandco.com)
Rosemary dagger - start with a ⅜” or ½”
RED DOT DAGGERS (rosemaryandco.com)
Robert Simmons - these brushes come in Sapphire selection which are higher priced and the Simply Simmons selection which are great and priced just right. These are the Simply Simmons selection.
This is for a larger pointed round brush. You may want to order a smaller size (6 or 4.) as well. When you work with these, adding in between sizes is useful.
Hake brushes - Blick Hake Brush | BLICK Art Materials (dickblick.com)
Fan brushes - Royal & Langnickel Aqualon Soft Synthetic Fan Brushes | BLICK Art Materials (dickblick.com)
Brite brush - a size 8 or 10 is great Royal Soft Grip Golden Taklon Brush - Wash, Long Handle, Size 8 | BLICK Art Materials (dickblick.com)
Paint - If possible, stay away from store brand paints as they generally have a greater binder and filler ratio in them and will dry and crumble. Having said that…they are great to get started and move on from. Michaels or Dick Blick brand sets are very inexpensive and as you run out a pigment, just upgrade as you go!
Pan or tube? - Tubes are great as you can squeeze out a small portion into an empty palette and refill as needed. The pan sets are ready to go and are great for travel and fuss free painting. I have both and use the pan set more often. I like the tubes though as I find that in the long run, they are more economical and I can add new colors and metallics etc without having to make room for them in the pan.I will include both in the links.
Tubes
This Windsor and Newton set gives you a great color selection and is a good low cost upgrade - Winsor & Newton™ Cotman Water Colours™ 20 Color Paint Set | Michaels
Basic set -Daniel Smith Extra Fine Watercolor - Essentials Set, 5 ml Tube | BLICK Art Materials (dickblick.com)
Add your additional Umber, Burnt Sienna, Yellow Ochre and Black. (purple, green and Orange can be mixed or added, along with magenta, pinks and other fun colors) - Daniel Smith Extra Fine Watercolor Tubes and Sets | BLICK Art Materials (dickblick.com)
Pan
Sakura make a good kit -Sakura Koi Watercolor Half Pan Sets | BLICK Art Materials (dickblick.com)
Can’t go wrong with - Winsor & Newton Cotman Watercolor Pans and Sets | BLICK Art Materials (dickblick.com)
Empty palette to fill with tube paint - I like these because they have several working areas. Always let tube paint dry out in the open palette before closing the lid and taking it on the road… paint will run out and well, let’s just say I know from experience! Messy!
Artist tape - for taping paper down to board (helps prevent warping)- Amazon.com: TSSART 3 Pack White Artist Tape - Masking Artists Tape for Drafting Art Watercolor Painting Canvas Framing - Acid Free 0.6inch Wide 540FT Long Total : Arts, Crafts & Sewing
Okidoke. This should get you started. If you have any questions or if I have overlooked something, please contact me christinemacshane@gmail.com .
Have fun!