New to Watercolor? The Supplies You Need that Fit Your Budget!
Shopping for watercolor supplies can be intimidating when you first start out. With so many different price points and brands to chose from, how are you supposed to know which supplies you need to get started?
I have been there too! After researching a variety of watercolor supplies, here are the basics at different price points that you will need to get started as well as some of my favorite brands that I use in my studio:
Watercolor Paints
$: MozArt’s Komorebi - I received this watercolor palette set as a gift and was pleasantly surprised by the quality of these paints. As you will find in their reviews, the paints do have a slight odor, which is strange for watercolors, but the colors are vibrant and have a high flow reaction with water.
$$: QoR - QoR is known for using a unique binding agent, Aquazol®, that contributes to the paint’s high flow capabilities.
$$$: Daniel Smith - Daniel Smith’s paints are widely used by many master watercolorists and offer a variety of natural and synthetic pigments to choose from. I love working with Daniel Smith’s PrimaTek paints for their beautiful granulation and for their historical significance.
Daniel Smith watercolor tubes
Watercolor Paper
$: Canson XL - Canson XL is widely available at local craft stores and online. As a cellulose paper, it does not absorb water and pigment as well as 100% cotton paper does, but it is significantly more cost effective. I always have a couple pads of Canson XL around the studio to do swatch tests, paint studies of a piece I want to finalize on larger, cotton paper, and for experimenting on.
$$: Baohong - This watercolor paper is acid-free and 100% cotton. I love that it comes in blocks (which are glued on all sides) rather than pads (which are just glued at the top) because it makes it easier to travel with and I don’t need to stretch the paper.
$$$: Arches - Arches has been making paper since 1492 and is the gold standard of watercolor paper. This sturdy, 100% cotton paper allows for a variety of wet and layered painting techniques without damaging the paper and comes in sheets, rolls, pads, and blocks. Any work that I intend to sell or exhibit is done on Arches paper.
Silver Brush, Black Velvet Brush
Watercolor Brushes
$: Grace Art - These brushes were suggested to me by another artist early in my watercolor journey. At such a low price, they are perfect for artists who are just getting used to watercolor and aren’t ready to invest in professional grade brushes.
$$: Rosemary & Co - Rosemary & Co offers a variety of watercolor brushes - from natural to synthetic hairs and in a wide array of brush types. With so many options, you are bound to find what you are looking for.
$$$: Silver Brush, Black Velvet - Black Velvet brushes are a mix of natural squirrel and synthetic hair, giving them the softness of natural hairs while still holding their shape. They have quickly become my favorite because their soft bristles allow for layers and glazing without disturbing my initial washes.
Water Containers
Though there are some beautiful ceramic containers for watercolorists, I prefer to use two clear mason jars so that I can easily see how clean the water is. Mason jars include the added bonus of a tight lid, which is great for when I need to leave my studio for a short time and don’t want my son or cat to accidentally knock over the water on my hard work.
For the best results, use one container to rinse your brush out before switching from pigment to pigment and the other for adding clean water to washes so that you don’t contaminate your colors on the paper with dirty water.
Paper Towel or Tissue
There are a few watercolor techniques that require pulling pigment away from your paper with a paper towel or tissue - you can make beautiful clouds this way! I prefer to cut my paper towel into quarters and keep the squares in a small container nearby. For more absorbency, use tissues or toilet paper!
In an effort to conserve paper waste, I use old washcloths whenever possible. This comes in handy when I need to remove water or pigment from my paintbrush.
Meeden Travel Tin
Paint Palettes
$: Target’s Porcelain plates - I love mixing colors on a large, porcelain surface and dinner plates work especially well for this. I purchased four to allow me the freedom to move from one color palette to another while one painting is drying. Butcher trays work just as well, but tend to cost a bit more.
$$: Meeden Travel Tin - Meeden sells travel tins that can hold 12-48 half pans and are perfect for easily accessing all of your paints (if you are like me, you can definitely fill more than one travel palette). I have four Meeden palettes in my studio for regular use and a smaller one that I fill with a split primary palette for travel.
$$$: Sugarhouse Ceramic Co palette - Full disclosure, I do not own this palette, but it is on my wish list. I have heard amazing things about Sugarhouse Ceramic Co, but they sell out quickly!
That’s it! All you need to get started is paint, paper, brushes, water, paper towel, and a palette. Like anything, there are additional things you can use to make different marks and techniques, but I will delve into those another time.
*An honorable mention goes to “The Masters” Brush Cleaner and Preserver. While not a necessity, this brush cleaner is truly amazing and goes a long way towards increasing the longevity of your paintbrushes! In my studio, I use it for all of my brushes - watercolor and otherwise. It has even brought some of my son’s well-loved paintbrushes back to life!