Watercolor Supplies
Watercolor paper - Because we work with water, the paper tends to buckle, so the heavier the paper, the better. I recommend a minimum of 90 lbs, but if you can afford it, go for a higher number. Paper can also be smooth (hot-pressed) or have a bumpier texture (cold-press), depending upon your preference. Another option is the synthetic Yupo, which is man-made, very smooth and waterproof. Many artists tape paper to a board using gummed tape (used for sending packages) and then cutting the paper off the board when finished.
For an example of how to tape down paper, see this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9c6OWKyYNKI
Watercolor Paints - you can buy trays of watercolor or tubes, in different quality. Quality is determined by how much pigment (or pure color) is in the paint and what binders (what holds the pigment) together. Watercolor paint also varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. Generally the more expensive brands give attention to light-fastedness (how fast the color will fade in light) and proportion of pigment to binder. Artists who use tubes usually squeeze out some color onto a palette and let it harden. Then, when ready to paint, the color is rehydrated or mixed with water. It is also possible to use paint directly out of the tube for a thicker coverage, however the beauty of watercolor is its transparency and the depth that you get from overlaying colous. You can also buy watercolor pencils and watercolur crayons which can be used by either dipping them in water and drawing, or drawing with them first and then going over your work with a wet paintbrush.
Other Water Media:
Gouache: watercolor that is opaque or not as transparent.
Tempera: dry pigment (color) mixed with water-soluble glutinous materials such as size and egg yolk. School Tempera is usually gouache.
Special effects - for achieving special effects in watercolor, have handy:
Brushes - there are brushes made specifically for watercolor however for our purposes, we will be using short handled white taklon brushes in a variety of shapes and widths. There are special brushes used to create different effects for example, a rigger is used for branches of a tree and a fan brush for eye lashes or soft-edged leaf effects. See the image at the top of the page to learn about brush shapes.
Other
Special Colors:
White - artists achieve white by leaving the paper blank. For lighter colors, you will need to add more water to dilute the color. Some artists choose to mix colors with a white gouache, which is a more opaque, water-based paint. Gouache usually has more pigment than watercolor and may contain some chalk.
Black - this can be very harsh when used with watercolors. It is better to use another dark color such as a deep blue or brown, as this adds richness and depth. Also consider mixing colors that are opposite on the color wheel (eg. red and green) to get a rich neutral that can be used for shading.
Other Colors - it is great to have lots of colors available, but you'll probably want to limit the number of colors you have in one painting from 5 to 10, as more will tend to muddy your colors.
Some choices are:
cadmium yellow medium or deep (warm)
lemon yellow (cool)
Cadmium Scarlet
Sennelier Red
Alizarin Crimson.
Permanent Rose
Burnt Sienna
Raw Umber
Payne's Grey
Dioxazine Violet
Ultramarine Blue
Quinacridone Carmine (cool blue)
Pthalo Blue
Marine Blue
Cobalt Blue
Cerulean Blue
Indigo
Pthalo Green
Sap Green
Viridian
Hooker's Green
Watercolor paper - Because we work with water, the paper tends to buckle, so the heavier the paper, the better. I recommend a minimum of 90 lbs, but if you can afford it, go for a higher number. Paper can also be smooth (hot-pressed) or have a bumpier texture (cold-press), depending upon your preference. Another option is the synthetic Yupo, which is man-made, very smooth and waterproof. Many artists tape paper to a board using gummed tape (used for sending packages) and then cutting the paper off the board when finished.
For an example of how to tape down paper, see this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9c6OWKyYNKI
Watercolor Paints - you can buy trays of watercolor or tubes, in different quality. Quality is determined by how much pigment (or pure color) is in the paint and what binders (what holds the pigment) together. Watercolor paint also varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. Generally the more expensive brands give attention to light-fastedness (how fast the color will fade in light) and proportion of pigment to binder. Artists who use tubes usually squeeze out some color onto a palette and let it harden. Then, when ready to paint, the color is rehydrated or mixed with water. It is also possible to use paint directly out of the tube for a thicker coverage, however the beauty of watercolor is its transparency and the depth that you get from overlaying colous. You can also buy watercolor pencils and watercolur crayons which can be used by either dipping them in water and drawing, or drawing with them first and then going over your work with a wet paintbrush.
Other Water Media:
Gouache: watercolor that is opaque or not as transparent.
Tempera: dry pigment (color) mixed with water-soluble glutinous materials such as size and egg yolk. School Tempera is usually gouache.
Special effects - for achieving special effects in watercolor, have handy:
- a wax candle
- salt (kosher salt is the best)
- rubbing alcohol
- plastic bags
- paper towels
- sharp instrument
Brushes - there are brushes made specifically for watercolor however for our purposes, we will be using short handled white taklon brushes in a variety of shapes and widths. There are special brushes used to create different effects for example, a rigger is used for branches of a tree and a fan brush for eye lashes or soft-edged leaf effects. See the image at the top of the page to learn about brush shapes.
Other
- Freestanding or table-top easel and a stool, especially if you like to paint outdoors,
called en plein air, even by the English-speaking art community (it means 'in plain air'). - Tape - packing tape, or if that is unavailable, masking or painter's quick release green tape.
- Palette or palette paper or Styrofoam plate for mixing colors.
- Brush cleaner
- Container with coil on which you can hang brushes to dry
- Case - hard or roll-up to protect your brushes
Special Colors:
White - artists achieve white by leaving the paper blank. For lighter colors, you will need to add more water to dilute the color. Some artists choose to mix colors with a white gouache, which is a more opaque, water-based paint. Gouache usually has more pigment than watercolor and may contain some chalk.
Black - this can be very harsh when used with watercolors. It is better to use another dark color such as a deep blue or brown, as this adds richness and depth. Also consider mixing colors that are opposite on the color wheel (eg. red and green) to get a rich neutral that can be used for shading.
Other Colors - it is great to have lots of colors available, but you'll probably want to limit the number of colors you have in one painting from 5 to 10, as more will tend to muddy your colors.
Some choices are:
cadmium yellow medium or deep (warm)
lemon yellow (cool)
Cadmium Scarlet
Sennelier Red
Alizarin Crimson.
Permanent Rose
Burnt Sienna
Raw Umber
Payne's Grey
Dioxazine Violet
Ultramarine Blue
Quinacridone Carmine (cool blue)
Pthalo Blue
Marine Blue
Cobalt Blue
Cerulean Blue
Indigo
Pthalo Green
Sap Green
Viridian
Hooker's Green