Shopping for art supplies and books is one of my favorite things as an artist but it can be very overwhelming in the beginning. Below is a list of watercolor supplies that I love and recommend.

I have divided my recommendations into two categories.

  • For the absolute beginner who doesn’t want to invest too much at the start. I still recommend professional grade paints and paper but this entire set up is under $200 and gives you enough to go on for exploring water coloring.
  • People who want to have a set up similar to mine, or at least, to start setting up your studio with supplies like mine. This list of supplies can seem overwhelming. You don’t need to buy everything at the very outset. You can start with just the supplies on this list that I’ve marked with an asterisk *, and later add others. When you click on the item link, you will be directed to Amazon.com.

Palettes

I like palettes with plenty of deep wells for my paints. I have a ceramic palette at home. It’s nice and heavy and a joy to paint with. But I also have several plastic palettes. They are easier for transportation and less expensive. There are many choices out there and these are just two suggestions.

Paper

I recommend Arches paper. It is more expensive than a lot of other options out there but the results are a way better. Inexpensive papers are made from pulp, while good papers are made from cotton or linen. Don’t get any paper lighter than 140 lbs. I primarily use Arches, 140 lbs, or 300 lbs. Cold press is the most commonly used paper for watercolor. Rough paper has more texture to it and hot press is completely smooth. Hot press gives a completely different result and is primarily used for botanical illustrations or precise painting. All papers listed here are 140 lbs. 300 lbs. paper are a fun to paint on, doesn’t need stretching, and costs about twice as much…

  • Arches COLD PRESS

9×12 Cold Press Block *

11×14 Cold Press Block

12×16 Cold Press Block

  • Arches HOT PRESS

9×12 Hot Press Block *

11×14 Hot Press Block

12×16 Hot Press Block

  • For landscape paintings:

5.9×11.8 Cold Press Block

5.9×11.8 Rough Paper Block

 

Sketchbooks

I use sketchbooks* that are specifically for watercolors (as opposed to mixed media).They come in lots of various sizes,

Here are my Favorites, you should get the size that you think you will enjoy the most! 

Watercolor Paint

There are gazillions  of colors to choose from and you will want to experiment with them to suite your taste, but  To get started all you really need is a good red, yellow and blue. I’ve listed my recommended starter palette colors. These include a cool, a warm and a neutral for red, yellow and blue. 

Below are my favorite 9 colors from Daniel Smith, I have also listed some of my favorite colors. Paint colors differ by different manufacturers even if the names of the colors are the same. I have linked them to Amazon.

Besides Daniel Smith, other artist quality brands include: M. Graham Watercolor, Winsor & Newton Professional Watercolor, Sennelier Extra-Fine Watercolor and Schmincke.

The essential nine colors from Daniel Smith:

  1. Alizarin Crimson / Quinacridone Rose*
  2. pyrrole scarlet*
  3. Burnt Sienna*
  4. Hansa Yellow medium *
  5. New Gamboge*
  6. Yellow Ochre *
  7. Phthalo blue (Green Shade)*
  8. French Ultramarine Blue*
  9. Indigo*

Some other on my palette …

 

If you don’t want to invest too much into the individual tubes, this ultimate mixing set is good starting point as well. If you go with this, you will need a palette to mix colors, I like this one a lot.

 

Brushes

Make sure to buy brushes that are for watercolors. They are softer and made to hold water. Brushes I use are in different categories. Note: Don’t use your WC brushes for other mediums, it may damage them.
For any WC artist, especially a beginner good paper is most importance for success. Brushes are a close second!! Don’t skimp on brushes if you are serious about watercolor. Avoid the inexpensive student brushes (e.g. less than $8 for a #12)! Don’t waste your money. See them as in investment.

There are very many nuances in purchasing brushes, there are natural fiber brushes, synthetic brushes, and brushes that are a mix of natural and synthetic fibers. Then there are shapes of watercolor brushes, each best suited for a particular technique. Round Quill, Flat, and many more specialty ones. Then there are sizes of brushes and to complicate it more, sizes aren’t standard. A size 2 brush in one brand might be 3 times bigger than a size 2 brush in another brand.