Watercolor Materials List for Classes
If you have paints, brushes, etc. just bring them.
Watercolor paper (140# Arches CP) is available for $4/sheet (22X30). I have a few watercolor Palettes I am willing to stock with enough paint for the class for $10 to reduce the
cost for someone who just wants to give it a try without too much investment. I have a few Goliath brushes available for $18.50.
If you need supplies, I use Daniel Smith paints partly because I like the Quinacridones. Winsor and Newton sells them now. I recommend artist quality paints because the student grades have less pigment and may not be as transparent. (If that’s what you have, use them).
If you are an experienced painter and know you will use them the W&N huge size is probably the cheapest. I don’t buy Cheap Joe’s paint but some people like it. Holbein is fine.
There are several on-line places and some local ones for buying supplies
Paint
I have a serious paint buying addiction but you really don’t need many colors. Mixing colors, particularly on the paper provides richer more varied colors. You need a warm and cool of each primary color although I mostly use one yellow. I generally like to use transparent colors. My favorite colors are:
· Quinacridone Yellow—DS—very transparent for a yellow
· Quinacridone Magenta or Violet—DS—rich blue red—I use it for most things red or purple
· Quinacridone Red—yellower red or Anthraquinoid Red which is a truer red—I use less of this red an it isn’t absolutely essential if you are starting out.
· Ultramarine Blue—a Red blue—it granulates well and does nice purple
· Phthalo Blue or Prussian—toward yellow—makes clean greens. Phthalo is even more intense than Prussian.
· I like Cobalt Blue also but it’s not essential.
Brushes--Bigger is Better
I use a Richard Simmons Goliath which is a huge round I got from Cheap Joe and various flats from 2” to ½”, a rigger, etc. To start I think a Goliath is adequate. I have some I can provide for the bargain price I paid (18.50).
Paper
I use Arches 300 pound rough paper. It’s wonderful but very expensive. I used to use Arches 140 pound cold pressed. It’s fine and cheaper. There are other brands of good watercolor paper. I don’t recommend cheap student grade paper; it just doesn’t absorb paint well. Use what you have.
Palette
I use a John Pike Palette because it is made of sturdier plastic than most. I use the big well one. That said, you can use anything as a palette including an old TV dinner plate or a kid’s paint box from the drug store (replace the paint). Those are particularly good if you want to paint when you are travelling.
Paper towels are essential. Bring a pencil (I use a mechanical one but it doesn’t matter) and a good plastic or kneaded eraser unless you don’t want to draw before painting. You also need a water container—a repurposed plastic container from the kitchen is fine.
Watercolor paper (140# Arches CP) is available for $4/sheet (22X30). I have a few watercolor Palettes I am willing to stock with enough paint for the class for $10 to reduce the
cost for someone who just wants to give it a try without too much investment. I have a few Goliath brushes available for $18.50.
If you need supplies, I use Daniel Smith paints partly because I like the Quinacridones. Winsor and Newton sells them now. I recommend artist quality paints because the student grades have less pigment and may not be as transparent. (If that’s what you have, use them).
If you are an experienced painter and know you will use them the W&N huge size is probably the cheapest. I don’t buy Cheap Joe’s paint but some people like it. Holbein is fine.
There are several on-line places and some local ones for buying supplies
Paint
I have a serious paint buying addiction but you really don’t need many colors. Mixing colors, particularly on the paper provides richer more varied colors. You need a warm and cool of each primary color although I mostly use one yellow. I generally like to use transparent colors. My favorite colors are:
· Quinacridone Yellow—DS—very transparent for a yellow
· Quinacridone Magenta or Violet—DS—rich blue red—I use it for most things red or purple
· Quinacridone Red—yellower red or Anthraquinoid Red which is a truer red—I use less of this red an it isn’t absolutely essential if you are starting out.
· Ultramarine Blue—a Red blue—it granulates well and does nice purple
· Phthalo Blue or Prussian—toward yellow—makes clean greens. Phthalo is even more intense than Prussian.
· I like Cobalt Blue also but it’s not essential.
Brushes--Bigger is Better
I use a Richard Simmons Goliath which is a huge round I got from Cheap Joe and various flats from 2” to ½”, a rigger, etc. To start I think a Goliath is adequate. I have some I can provide for the bargain price I paid (18.50).
Paper
I use Arches 300 pound rough paper. It’s wonderful but very expensive. I used to use Arches 140 pound cold pressed. It’s fine and cheaper. There are other brands of good watercolor paper. I don’t recommend cheap student grade paper; it just doesn’t absorb paint well. Use what you have.
Palette
I use a John Pike Palette because it is made of sturdier plastic than most. I use the big well one. That said, you can use anything as a palette including an old TV dinner plate or a kid’s paint box from the drug store (replace the paint). Those are particularly good if you want to paint when you are travelling.
Paper towels are essential. Bring a pencil (I use a mechanical one but it doesn’t matter) and a good plastic or kneaded eraser unless you don’t want to draw before painting. You also need a water container—a repurposed plastic container from the kitchen is fine.