I've gotten a few questions lately about where to start with watercolor; what do I need? What type of supplies should I get? etc
Whether you're just starting your watercolor journey or looking to upgrade a few of your favorite tools, I thought I'd share the supplies I reach for again and again in my own studio.
The truth is, you don't need the most expensive materials to start and create beautiful work. A handful of quality supplies that you truly enjoy using can make painting feel so much more enjoyable and will make you actually want to paint!
Here are a few of my favorites:
Watercolor Paints
When I first started with watercolor back in 2020, I had a student grade palette and quickly realized it wasn't going to cut it for me. Professional-grade paints have richer pigments and blend beautifully.
I recommend starting with a smaller palette of quality colors rather than buying a large set of student-grade paints. And prefer a palette of paints vs. tubes when starting out. Tubes can be expensive and even though they last a long time, mine seem to dry out or get crusty. With a palette, you can find what colors you like and then buy a tube of the paint color or something similar and start mixing your own. My favorite color for tube paint is Paynes Grey. It's so versatile and I use it a lot!
This is a good one to start with!
I also have been loving this palette. It's a little more on the expensive side but a good one!
Watercolor Paper
If there's one supply worth investing in, it's paper. Even over paints.
High-quality cotton watercolor paper absorbs water evenly, allows colors to flow naturally, and makes techniques like layering and lifting much easier. For regular paper, I like Strathmore. Often times, I'll buy bigger size sheets and cut to whatever size I need/want. I prefer cold press over hot press because cold press as a tooth to it that holds color and water better. I find hot press less forgiving.
No matter how wonderful your paints are, inexpensive paper can make watercolor much more frustrating than it needs to be. I like to use watercolor paper blocks too because it prevents warping. You can get many different sizes. I like this brand!
When it comes to sketchbooks, I've tried many and I'm still on the hunt for one I love.
I've used this one before and would use again.
Brushes
You don't need twenty different brushes to paint beautiful artwork.
I use just a few round brushes in different sizes for most of my paintings. A good round brush holds plenty of water while still coming to a fine point, making it perfect for everything from loose washes to tiny details. Over time, you can add to your collection.
I also love watercolor pens! They are great for on the go painting or quick painting if you've only have a few minutes. You fill them with water and you're good to go. You can get a pack of inexpensive one with different sizes to try out.
A Mixing Palette
I love having plenty of room to mix colors. I use everything from thrifted plates to actual paint palettes with sectioned out wells. Whatever you like!
Water Containers
This may sound simple, but having two jars of water is one of my favorite studio habits that I just started doing.
One is for rinsing my brush, and the other stays clean for mixing fresh colors. It keeps muddy colors to a minimum. I also use thrifted cups for this or small mason jars.
Watercolor & Art Books
I've used these books in my art practice many times and still revisit often.
Misc. Things on my Desk
I always keep paper towels nearby.
They're perfect for lifting paint, adjusting the amount of water on my brush, softening edges, and cleaning up little surprises along the way.
Another tip I recently came across is using a swedish dish towel. They are super absorbent and washable!
Binder clips. I bought these in bulk to hold pages down in my sketchbook. I find that it makes all the difference!
I've used a plate rack for many different things. Holding paint palettes, prints, pieces I'm working on etc.
My Best Advice
If you're just beginning, don't feel pressured to buy everything at once.
Start with a small collection of quality supplies and simply enjoy painting. Watercolor is a medium that asks for patience and practice, and some of my favorite moments happen when I stop worrying about creating something perfect and simply let the paint do what it wants to do. That's the beauty and fun of watercolor!
At the end of the day, the best supplies are the ones that inspire you to sit down and create.
What's one watercolor supply you can't paint without? Leave a comment below or send me a message. I always enjoy hearing what other artists are loving in their studios.
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