This is a list of recommended supplies for my Little Watercolor Square workshop. For paint and brushes, I’m giving you some lower priced and higher priced options. Any of these options work well.
In the workshop’s first lesson, I talk about why I use these particular materials.
This page contains affiliate links to Blick Art Materials, meaning I may get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links (at no cost to you).
Drawing and Miscellaneous supplies
Steel ruler for tearing paper (Any long straight edge will do, but a heavy steel one works best.)
Palette (metal, plastic or ceramic) You only need one. A plate works in a pinch. If you buy watercolors in a kit, the box may already double as a palette. If not, you can get one of the palettes below:
- Plastic palette (like the one I use for tube watercolors)
- Porcelain palette (for tube colors)
- Small Metal palette (travel sized empty box to fill with watercolors)
- Large Metal palette (empty box to fill with watercolors)
Paper towels
Water cup (1-2)
Paper
I prefer to use a block of 22×30 inch 140 lb cold pressed watercolor paper, which I cut down into smaller 5×7 inch pieces. This is the most economical option.
OR
Alternatively, you can purchase a smaller block of watercolor paper and use individual sheets (so you don’t need to cut the paper yourself). This is the pricier option because you’ll end up with less paper to work with.
Brushes
1-2 watercolor brushes. I recommend a round brush, pointed mop, or pointed oval for their versatility. Size 4-8 for round brushes. Other brush shapes vary in size. Any of the ones below work well for this project.
A good economical pointed oval brush – Royal Langnickel Zen Watercolor Pointed Oval
A good economical round brush – Royal Langnickel Zen Watercolor Round
My favorite studio brush – Isabey Cat’s Tongue or Pointed Oval Wash
My favorite travel brush – Isabey Pocket Mop
Paint (tubes or pans)
Paint names can vary across manufacturers. The main thing is to have a warm and cool of each primary. You can either buy a set or buy individual colors.
Pans are easier to carry. Tubes are good for eventually making larger work.
Here are some great sets I can recommend at a range of prices:
Pans:
Set of Windsor & Newton student grade paint – 12 pans in a metal tin (was out of stock until April 21)
Set of W&N student grade paint – 12 pans in a small plastic box
Set of W&N artist grade paint – 14 pans in a small plastic box
Tube paints:
Set of W&N artist grade paint – 12 tubes in a metal tin
If you are buying colors individually, what follows is a good basic palette that will cover all your color bases:
Warm red: Cadmium red medium
Cool red: Alizarin Crimson or Permanent Rose or Quinacridone Magenta or Carmine Red
Warm blue: Ultramarine blue
Cool blue: Cobalt blue
Warm yellow: Cadmium yellow medium
Cool yellow: Lemon yellow or Cadmium yellow light
Earth yellow: Yellow Ochre or Raw Siena
Earth Red: Burnt Siena or Transparent Red Oxide
Viridian Green or Pthalo Green
Additional Optional Colors:
Cerulean Blue
Sap Green
Cadmium Red light
Quinacridone Gold
Pthalo Blue
And any other color you like!