Watercolor Materials

It is important to have the required watercolor materials to be able to follow the lesson directions. To achieve the same results as you will see in the instructors demonstrations, you will need the same sort of materials used by the instructor.

Please use supplies you already have but make sure they of the same type and quality as those listed below. For instance, for the following lessons pan watercolors will not work

Level 1 Watercolor Supplies Overview

Listed below are the basic supplies that are required to follow the online or in class lessons.

After reviewing the basic supplies you can scroll down the page to find a section providing links to supplies listed on Amazon site. Continue down the page to find a section providing links to supplies listed on Michael's Arts and Crafts.

You do not have to purchase through these links, they are for your convenience. I have no affiliation with the online sources

Other links will be provided to online art supply providers at the bottom of the page but you will have to search out the supplies on their website0i

Watercolor Paints

We will be using a good quality student level watercolor tube paints. Two recommended brands are Winsor Newton Cotman Brand or Talen"s Van Gogh watercolors. PURCHASE ONLY ONE OF THE TWO BRANDS

Preferably a 10 tube set that contains

Two yellows, two Reds, Two Blues, One Green

Burnt Sienna or Burnt Umber, Black, and one other color

Watercolor Round Brushes

We will be using short handle round synthetic watercolor round brushes. The sizes you will need are: #3 #6 #8 #10 #12. Sizes vary from brand to brand. As long as you find sizes approximate to the sizes listed here, the brushes will work.

Watercolor Palette

A larger palette is preferable to give ample mixing space

Large plastic palette approx 9" x 13"

With wells for tube watercolor paint

Optional: Medium size or Large covered palette 12" x 16"

Watercolor Paper Pad

Although there are many brands of watercolor paper, we will use Canson 140 lb cold press watercolor pad. Other brands can be used but Canson is a good less expensive paper for practice and creating paintings.

Masking Fluid/ Drawing Gum

Masking is use to protect various areas of the paper from the painted washes. Later the mask is removed and then the protected areas are painted. There are a number of brands of masking fluid. They all work well

Foam or Other Board to Tape Paper to

We will be taping out watercolor paper to a flat board surface so that we can move the painting in different angles for adjusting washes. Foam board works well. Sometimes it can be purchased from dollar stores. It needs to cut down to approx. 12" x 16" or a size larger than the watercolor paper.

One Roll Masking Tape

Masking tape will be used to tape the watercolor paper to the board. It will also be used to tape edges of small painting studies.

One No. 2 Pencil

A no. 2 or HB pencil will be used to draw on the paper to create boarders and make simple shapes.

One Ruler

At times wee will measure and mark off boarders within the paper to create small studies and practice paintings.

One Kneaded Eraser

We will be using the kneaded eraser for lighting the pencil transfer drawings and to clean the paper when needed. It is a soft, pliable eraser that will not leave marks or damage the paper.

One pencil Sharpener

You will need a pencil sharpener to keep you pencil lead sharp for transferring images and correcting drawings.

One Graphite Stick (Not Mandatory)

The graphite stick is used to coat the back of a printed handout in order to transfer the image to the watercolor paper by tracing the outline of the image. This process can be done with a no.2 pencil but the graphite stick makes it much easier

Paper Napkins

Paper napkins are used to clean the brush and wipe color and water off out brush during the painting process.

Two Water cups

Two water cups will be needed to clean our brushes during painting. We rinse the bulk of the color in one cup and use the cleaner water in the other cup to pick up and mix new paint.

One Pack Watercolor Sponges

Watercolor sponges are used to clean the palette and also create interesting textures as well as modify wash techniques.

Links to Level 1 Materials Available from Amazon

If you shop with Amazon, the list below provide links to the materials that you can purchase on Amazon that are recommended for Beginning Watercolor Level 1

You do not have to purchase through these links, they are for your convenience only. I have no affiliation with the online sources

Purchase only one paint set brand. Van Gogh watercolors are recommended

Windsor Newton 10 Tube Watercolor Set

20 Well Watercolor Paint Tray Palette, 13 x 10 Inches, White, 1PCS

Van Gogh 10 Tube Watercolor Set

ARTEGRIA Watercolor Brush Set, 10 Professional Soft Synthetic Squirrel Paint Brushes

Golden State Art, Pack of 10, 1/8" Thick, 12x16 White Foam Boards (12x16, White)

Canson XL Series Watercolor Pad, Heavyweight White Paper, Foldover Binding, 30 Sheets, 9x12 inch

Lichamp Blue Painters Tape 3/4 inch,2 Pack Blue

Pebeo Easy Peel Liquid Latex Masking Fluid

Artist Sponges Natural & Synethic by Craft Smart, 8 Pieces

Westcott 10562 Acrylic Clear Ruler, 12 in

Dixon Economy Writing Pencil 12 pack

Kneadable Eraser, 4-Pack Gray, Large Size,

Mr. Pen Handheld Metal Pencil Sharpener with 2 Holes, Pack of 6

School Smart Plastic Watercolor Paint Cups,

Lyra Graphite Stick 9B

Bounty Paper Napkins, White, 200 Count, Packaging may vary

Links to Level 1 Materials Available from Michael's Art Supplies

It is important to have the required watercolor materials to be able to follow the lesson directions. To achieve the same results as you will see in the instructors demonstrations, you will need the same sort of materials used by the instructor.

You do not have to purchase through these links,
they are for your convenience only.
Purchase only one paint set, one brush set and only one palette
Winsor & Newton™ Cotman Water Colours™ 10 Color Paint Set

Item # 10636594

Necessities™ Synthetic 10 Piece Brush Set by Artist's Loft®

Van Gogh Watercolors Set - Set of 10, Assorted Colors, 10 ml tubes

Canson XL Watercolor Paper Pad 9"X12"-30 Sheets
20 Well Rectangular Artist Palette by Artist's Loft™
ARTIFY 12 PCS Watercolor Brushes, Synthetic Nylon Paint Brushes for Watercolor
Zieler® Large White Palette Sturdy Plastic 23 Well

Pébéo 45mL Drawing Gum
Royal & Langnickel® Natural & Synthetic Artist Sponges
Faber-Castell® Kneaded Erasers
Metal Pencil Sharpener by Artist's Loft™
SoHo Urban Artist Compressed Graphite Sticks 4B,

Blick Covered Palette - 12" x 15", White

Links to Other Art Supply Providers

Provide a general summary of the services you provide, highlighting key features and benefits for potential clients.

Jerry's Artarama
Utrecht Art Supplies
Dick Blick Art Supplies

Download Art Materials List

Download here for a printable supplies needed copy