- Watercolor Paints
Watercolors are the first essential supplies for beginners. Artists mostly prefer tube paints for their intensity and longevity. Two popular brands are Winsor & Newton and Daniel Smith which offer high-quality, rich, and vibrant pigments. Beginners should start with primary colors (Red, Blue, Yellow) along with a white and black tube. With these five basic hues, you can mix nearly any color.
- Watercolor Paper
Working with the right paper is crucial for watercolor painting. Watercolor papers made from 100% cotton absorb water well, allowing the pigments to flow freely. They come in three forms: hot-pressed (smooth), cold-pressed (semi-smooth), and rough. Beginners should opt for cold-pressed papers as they are versatile. Brands like Arches and Strathmore have excellent options for watercolor papers.
- Brushes
Good quality brushes can significantly influence painting experience. Brushes can be natural, synthetic, or hybrid. Natural brushes made of kolinsky sable hair are considered the best, but they can cost a pretty penny. Synthetic brushes like those offered by Royal & Langnickel are cheaper and function good. Beginners should start with round brushes (size 0 to 8) and a flat brush for broader strokes.
- Mixing Palette
A palette is necessary for mixing colors. The palette needs to have multiple wells for different paints and larger areas for blending. There are plastic, porcelain, and metal palettes available. Mijello Martin Airtight Watercolor 18-Well Palette is an affordable and efficient option for beginners.
- Water Containers
Water containers are crucial for rinsing brushes in-between colors. Use two containers, one for washing and another for clean water. Old glass jars can act as efficient water containers.
- Masking Fluid
Masking fluid is used to reserve certain areas of the paper from paint. It dries and acts as a protective layer, which can be removed later. Winsor & Newton’s masking fluid is acid-free and dries without leaving any residue, making it perfect for beginners.
- Paper Towels
Paper towels are great for blotting excess water or paint from your brush or paper. Invest in good quality absorbent paper towels like Bounty or Viva.
- Color Wheel
A color wheel is an excellent tool for learning how to mix colors and understand color relationships. It assists in creating harmonious color schemes. Educational Insights’ color wheel is an easy-to-use tool for beginners.
- Sketchbook
A watercolor sketchbook is ideal for practicing techniques or creating smaller artworks. Choose one with heavy, acid-free pages that can hold water and color well. Moleskine Watercolor Sketchbook is an excellent choice for beginners.
- Graphic Pencils
A quality graphic pencil set is essential to sketch your idea before layering watercolors. Staedtler Mars Lumograph Pencils offer a good range of hardness levels suitable for sketching requirements.
- Eraser
Choose a soft, plastic eraser that won’t damage the watercolor paper and can completely remove pencil markings. The Prismacolor Design Eraser is considered reliable.
- Watercolor Mediums
Watercolor mediums alter the paint’s characteristics, like transparency, gloss, texture. They are not a necessity for beginners but nice to experiment with. Winsor & Newton Blending Mediums are worth trying.
- Art Masking Tape
Art masking tape is used to keep the edges of your painting clean or to create straight lines. Go for low-tack tape that won’t tear your paper. The 3M Scotch Artist Tape is a preferred choice.
- Spray Bottle
A fine mist spray bottle is useful to keep your paints wet and encourage color mixing. It can also be used to create textured effects.
- Easel
While not necessary, an easel can help maintain a more comfortable posture while painting. There are many desktop versions available, suitable for watercolor painting.
- Art Sponges
Artists use sponges to create texture effects or to lift color from the paper. Natural sea sponges are ideal for watercolor usage.
- Protective Clothing
Consider an apron or old clothes to protect your clothing from paint stains.
- Brush Pens
Brush pens are great to add details into your painting. They have water-based ink and are great for beginners.
While some items are essential, others can be added as per one’s comfort and affordability. Remember, it’s not the cost or quantity of the supplies that make you a good artist, rather the skills you develop over time. Happy Painting!
