Basic Watercolor Supply List

Watercolor Supplies

Watercolor Supplies

The basic supplies I recommend

I have some basic supplies I recommend for watercolor painting.

  1. Arches brand watercolor paper
  2. watercolor paints - beginner set, 16 pan set of Prang paints
  3. watercolor paintbrushes large round (12-14)and small round (8-10).  1/2" flat and 1" flat
  4. masking tape
  5. foam core board
  6. paper towels
  7. rags
  8. two cups of water

Paper

The most important tool is excellent quality paper.  Do not use student grade paper even though you are a student!  The paper does not react well with watercolor techniques which can lead to frustration, not typical results and poor habits in technique.  You are not doing yourself any favors by buying student grade paper! Use Arches brand watercolor paper.

Paint

Next up is paint.  For starters, use the “Prang” double set.  I do not recommend using the white or the black that are in the set though.  Prang is a perfect starter set.  It also can be continued to use as you grow as a great travel size set of paints. Paintbrushes:  Use any brush that is recommended for use with watercolors. I have much more to say about paint and if your wanting more details go  “here” for much more details about paint. 

Paintbrushes

Use any brush that is recommended for use with watercolors.  Synthetic, natural hair or a blend is fine.  I like a large round (12) and a more detail round (6 or 8)  and then a flat brush in 1/2″ and 1″  A few other helpful brushes to have on hand to lift our some “mistakes” are a set of scrubber brushes. (try to use these as a last resort as they can tear up your paper)

I tape down my watercolor paper to foam core board, using inexpensive masking tape.

masking fluid is another helpful tool to retain the whites of the paper in detail areas.

Please let me know if you have any questions about these supplies.

tape

I tape down my watercolor paper to foam core board, using inexpensive plain masking tape.  I like no color so that it doesn't compete or distract from the colors I am using in my painting.

Masking Fluid

Masking fluid is another helpful tool to retain the whites of the paper in detail areas.

Please let me know if you have any questions about these supplies.

    Beth WoessnerComment