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:
- 1/2, 1 and 2 inch Flat
- Assorted Rounds, small size 1 to larger size 16
- Assorted Wash brushes
- Fan
- Rigger or Liner (any size, 1 – 6)
- Mop – holds 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, size 000 through 8.
- For wet work, I use assorted mop brushes, lots of sizes. My favorite mops so far are the Princeton Neptune’s.
- For cleaning up edges, I like to use the 1/8 to 1/2 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 said go for it, I did. 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.
At an absolute minimum, you will need the primary colors, red, blue and yellow. Preferably a warm and Cool Version of each.
Holbien 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 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
- Watercolor pencils
- Masking Tape
- Liquid Masking Fluid (Fresh Bottle)
- Exacto knife
- Coarse Sea Salt
- Paint Towels
- Small Palette Knife
- Paint Towels
- Toothbrush