Watercolor Supplies for Painting Watercolors

Watercolor Painting Supplies

Arches Paper 

PAPER – Arches 140 lb. Cold Press (CP) is essential for some techniques. 300 lb. is also acceptable. I prefer loose paper to blocks of paper.

Beginner Student Paints

W&N Pro. Watercolor 5 ml Paint Tube – Alizarin Crimson
W&N Pro. Watercolor 5 ml Paint Tube – Winsor Blue Red Shade
W&N Pro. Watercolor 5 ml Paint Tube – Cadmium Red
W&N Pro. Watercolor 5 ml Paint Tube – Cadmium Yellow

As you feel confident as a painter you can to add the following colors slowly. 

W&N Pro. Watercolor – Cobalt Blue
W&N Pro. Watercolor – Aureolin

W&N Pro. Watercolor – French Ultramarine
W&N Pro. Watercolor – Burnt Sienna

W&N Pro. Watercolor – Winsor Green Blue Shade
W&N Pro.Watercolor -Viridian

As you progress add the following colors.

Eventually use the colors and brands you prefer. I like Winsor Newton, Dan Smith, Steve Quiller, Graham and Graham paints are made with honey and do not dry out.

W&N Pro. Watercolor – Quinacridone Gold
W&N Pro. Watercolor – Payne’s Grey
W&N Pro. Watercolor – Indigo
W&N Pro. Watercolor – Cadmium Orange

BRUSHES

Beginners start out with these brushes.

W&N Sceptre Gold II Brush Series 101 Round 4
W&N Sceptre Gold II Brush Series 101 Round 8
W&N Sceptre Gold II Brush Series 606 Wash 1/4″
W&N Sceptre Gold II Brush Sceptre Gold Wash 2″
W&N Sceptre Gold II Brush Sceptre Gold Wash 1
Series 860 Rigger #3

Intermediate Brushes to add on

Brushes to add on

Size 2 Winsor & Newton Artisan Bright
Size 4 Winsor & Newton Artisan Bright
Cheap Joe’s Fritch Scrubber Brush Set
Fan Brushes to wet paper

Bamboo Brush matt 

Bamboo Brush matt is used for Brush Storage

SUPPORT BOARD 

Most of the time I work flat on a table and rarely clip the paper to a board. Masonite, tile board, plexiglass, and foam core or gator board may be cut to paper size, slightly smaller or larger on all sides. With smaller boards the clips encroach more on the paper but water is less likely to puddle at the edge. Sizes for a quarter sheet of paper should be 16 x 12.

PALETTE 

John Pike (my choice) or any watercolor palette with lid. 

OTHER Supplies: 

Masking tape
Paper towels
Sandpaper
Mr. Clean White Eraser
Toothbrush
Salt
Spray bottle
Drawing Pencils 2B, 4B, and 6B and eraser
9×12 Journal
Water container low
Graphite paper (recommend Craftsmart/Monalisa or Loew Cornell Gray Transfer paper and red pen)
utility knife
Kleenex
hair dryer
mat for viewing work in progress
large Elephant Ear Sponge,
palette knives,
Crafter’s Toolkit Glue and Residue Eraser,
Masking Fluid – (I recommend Pebeo Drawing Gum Liquid Frisket.

You will also need a disposable craft brush and dish soap.)