In many of the online watercolor tutorials I have watched, the artist has said something like, “Here are the materials I’m using, but if you don’t have these specific materials, that’s okay. Just use what you have.” There is some truth to that. When you are learning brush strokes or composition, I guess you’re training your eye and your muscle memory more than anything. However, I have found that quality materials do make a difference.
When I was a kindergarten teacher, I used to cringe when students would bring in their school supplies full of waxy, off-brand crayons. The pencils from the dollar store weren’t even worth sharpening – the leads would just fall out in pieces. I spent a lot of my own money getting Crayola crayons, Ticonderoga pencils, and Prang watercolors for my students to use.
So, what do I buy to set myself up for a successful painting session? Here are some of my favorites:
- Paper –
- Arches Cold Press
- Indigo Art Papers handmade watercolor paper
- Paint –
- Daniel Smith Watercolors
- Winsor & Newton Professional
- Lisilinka (sparkly, metalic watercolors)
- Brushes –
- Princeton (Aqua Elite, Velvetouch, Neptune, Heritage lines)
- Jackson’s Art Icon Quill (my newest favorite brushes)
- Pens –
- Micron fineliners
- Lumos from Tom’s Studio
- Palette –
- Anything ceramic. It makes a difference. Even if you just get a white plate from a big-box store.
- Watercolor journals –
- DIY with my own paper (maybe a future blog post idea?)
- Hahnemuehle
Are you a watercolor artist? Let me know your favorites in the comments.
Just keep painting!
-Amy
Amy Lagers Studio 