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.
You can 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.
Following this section there are links to help you purchase supplies either from Amazon or Micheal's Arts and Crafts
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 . A smaller palette with lids will also work if you have limited space.
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.
Purchase only one paint set brand. Van Gogh watercolors are recommended
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
Links to Other Art Supply Providers
