Basic brushes for beginners:
* #2, #6, and #12 round red sable watercolor brush or the best synthetic or synthetic-blend brush you can find.
* 1" flat brush for detail work and large washes. Most manufacturers have starter sets that contain very usable equivalents.
* Of course there are many more types of brushes you can purchase of all sizes. Be sure that the brushes you purchase are for watercolor painting!
 | Here are a list if the basic colors you'll need for transparent watercolor painting. Do not use the white paint that is included in most cake or tube color sets, because it's opaque and it will change your watercolor paintings into gouache paintings. Gouache, or opaque watercolor is a distinctly different category and approach to painting. |
You can start by using brand name "academic" or "student" grade watercolors until you can commit your resources to buying "artist" grade watercolor paints such as Grumbacher. You can upgrade your paints to artist-grade and your paper to archival quality later.
Here are some suggestions for the basic colors for watercolor artists. You can add more later as you try new colors and explore watercolor painting.
Cadmium Red (light)
|
Ultramarine Blue
Thalo Blue
| Alizarian Orange |
| Cadmium | Orange |
Sap Green
Thalo Green
Thalo Green
Use any watercolor pad, block, or loose paper with a weight of #140 or higher. The heavier the paper, the less likely you'll have to deal with the warping of the damp paper while painting. Try different surface textures to find your favorite. You can always up-grade your paper to archival quality later.
** Be sure to go online to AaronBros.Coupons to get art supplies at reduced prices. Aaron Brothers usually has 2 coupons every 3 or 4 days!
** Be sure to go online to AaronBros.Coupons to get art supplies at reduced prices. Aaron Brothers usually has 2 coupons every 3 or 4 days!
Cake and Pan watercolor sets usually have built-in fold out palettes that are useable in varying degrees depending on their size and orientation.
For your tube watercolors, buy 6 or more welled plastic palettes like the ones you used in grade school for your tempera paints. A covered plastic palette makes for the least waste and most convenience if you are using tube watercolors. If you are getting serious, buy one.
For your tube watercolors, buy 6 or more welled plastic palettes like the ones you used in grade school for your tempera paints. A covered plastic palette makes for the least waste and most convenience if you are using tube watercolors. If you are getting serious, buy one.
Find a glass, or jar, or small bucket to hold fresh, clean water. Use two if possible. One for rinsing your brush between colors, and one for clean water for painting.
Tap water is usually fine. Hard water decreases paint solubility and flow. Overly softened water acts as a wetting agent and increase paint solubility and flow. If you're concerned, use bottled water.
Tap water is usually fine. Hard water decreases paint solubility and flow. Overly softened water acts as a wetting agent and increase paint solubility and flow. If you're concerned, use bottled water.
You will need transfer paper for tracing the picture you want to paint onto your paper, and a pencil or pen for doing this. You will also need a kneaded eraser, some tissues, old towel or paper towels, and some artist tape to fasten your paper to a board of some kind.
This is all you need to start your adventures in watercolor painting!
If you find yourself getting good at watercolor painting, immediately upgrade your paints to artist-grade and your paper to archival quality. Then proceed to have fun making what the world has never seen before!
This is all you need to start your adventures in watercolor painting!
If you find yourself getting good at watercolor painting, immediately upgrade your paints to artist-grade and your paper to archival quality. Then proceed to have fun making what the world has never seen before!
