My favorite supplies change periodically, when I discover new things.

Paper:  

• Arches 140 lb. or higher, cold press watercolor paper.
• Aquarelle Aquarius II 90lb.

Watercolor Brushes:

•  2 inch very soft Flat Brush
• Assorted Rounds, small size 1 to larger size 16
• Assorted Wash brushes
• Rigger or Liner (size, 1 – 6)
  • Mops – hold a lot of water.
  • Extra large rounds (larger than 12)
• Note: For working details, I like the mixed hair/synthetic brushes, that have a bit of a snap to them, and ones that come to a nice point or edge if a flat brush. DaVinci makes some pretty good brushes for not too expensive.  But my favorite brushes for the price are the Jack Richeson 9000 Series, and Cheap Joes “Miller’s Golden Fleece”.
• For wet work, I use assorted mop brushes, lots of sizes.  My favorite mops so far are the Princeton Neptune’s and the Silver Black Velvet.
• For cleaning up edges, I like to use the 1/8 to 1/4 inch flat brushes made by da Vinci Top Acryl 7185K.
• I am now trying out the Escoda Reserva brushes.  They are more expensive, and since I asked for them for my birthday, and my husband bought them for me.  I’ve been using them because now I feel obligated since I asked for them, right?  I’m still not sure if they are for me only because they don’t come to a nice point when I lift them from the paper.  They do hold a lot of water and a lot of paint, which I love.

Paints:   Artist quality tube paints. I buy my paints from our new local art store Art On The Columbia, or online at Cheap Joes, or Dick Blicks.

At an absolute minimum, you will need the primary colors, red, blue and yellow.  Preferably a warm and Cool Version of each.

Holbien brand colors Warm and Cool are:

• Yellows – Aurolean – Cool and Gamboge Nova – Warm
• Reds – Quinacridone Red – Cool and Scarlet Lake – Warm
• Blues –  Ultramarine – Cool and Phthalo Blue YS or Peacock Blue – Warm

Daniel Smith Brand colors Warm and Cool are:

• Yellows – Hansa Yellow Light – Cool and New Gamboge – Warm
• Reds – Quinacridone Rose – Cool and Pyrrol Scarlet  – Warm
• Blues – French Ultramarine – Cool and Phthalo Blue (Green Shade) – Warm

Every Artist has their favorites, here are some of mine.

• Aureolin – Holbein
• Gamboge Nova – Holbein
• Quinacridone Gold – Holbein
• Permanent Yellow Orange – Holbein
• Brilliant Orange – Holbein
• Quinacridone Coral- Daniel Smith
• Perylene Maroon – Daniel Smith
• Permanent Alizarin Crimson – Daniel Smith
• Quinacridone Rose (aka Permanent Rose) – Daniel Smith
• Bright Rose- Holbein
• Quinacridone Magenta – Holbein
• Quinacridone Violet – Daniel Smith
• Permanent Violet – Holbein
• Indigo – Daniel Smith
• Prussion – Winsor and Newton
• Manganese Blue Nova – Holbein
• French Ultramarine Blue – Holbein
• Peacock Blue- Holbein
• Marine Blue – Holbein
• Phthalo Turquoise – Daniel Smith
• Hookers – Holbein
• Sap Green – Holbein
• Deep Sap Green – Daniel Smith
• Rich Green Gold – Daniel Smith
• Payne’s Grey
• Quinacridone Burnt Orange- Daniel Smith
• Opera – No preference
• Shadow Violet- Daniel Smith
• Cobalt Turquoise Light – Holbein
• Cobalt Teal Blue- Daniel Smith
• Shadow Green – Holbein

• Other Supplies

• Thinner Plexiglass or other boards to hold paper (16” x 24” or larger)
• Spray misters (Fine and Medium and Heavy)
• Water containers (3) one for clean water, one for working water, and one for dirty water
• Palette – I like the Quiller Round Palettes, and for travel I like the Mijello Airtight Pallettes.
• Pencils
• Artist gum kneaded eraser
• Paper towels – Prefer Bounty, also Viva if I need to blot the art.
• Blow dryer – I prefer to let it dry naturally, but when I’m in a hurry it comes in handy.
• Watercolor pencils
• Masking Tape
• Liquid Masking Fluid (Fresh Bottle)
• Exacto knife
• Coarse Sea Salt
• Paint Towels
• Small Palette Knife
• Paint Towels
• Toothbrush