Watercolor Students Materials List

Revised Jan 5, 2010

Recent work:  1-3 recent paintings for evaluation if you have them. 

Stuff to draw from:  Preferably your own photographs’ ideas for paintings, etc.  I have a stack of photographs but something you have experienced works best.  Small photos clipped from magazines or newspapers are the least desirable.

Paper:  1 full sheet (22’ x 30”) of 140 lb or 300 lb cold pressed watercolor paper cut into 4 to 8 pieces, or a block of watercolor paper, 11” x 15”or larger.  I recommend Arches or Fabriano.  Avoid Canson and Montval.  I recommend more experienced students work half sheet or larger.  Extra scrap watercolor is needed paper for testing colors. 

Don't get anything lighter weight than 140 lb.  If you are using a watercolor paper block you have a built in easel.  A block is 12-20 pieces of watercolor rubber glued together on a piece of heavy cardboard.  You don't need to stretch paper if you use 300 lb paper or watercolor paper blocks.

If you use 140 lb single sheet paper it will buckle with large washes.   It needs to be "stretched" by taping it to a board, like Masonite, varnished wood, or rigid plastic, or stapling it to ½” Gatorboard or a piece of suspended ceiling tile to prevent buckling.  Stapling works best.   I will bring the staple gun; you bring the tape and board.

Paints:   Get a tube of each of the following if you don’t already have them:

          Winsor yellow, aureolin yellow, Azo yellow, OR transparent yellow

          Burnt sienna or Quinacridone Burnt Orange

          Burnt umber

          Cadmium red, Pyrrol red or scarlet lake

          Permanent alizarin crimson or anthroquinoid red

          Permanent rose

          Cobalt blue

          Manganese blue or cerulean blue

          Phathlo blue (GS) or Winsor blue (green shade)

          French ultramarine blue or Ultramarine Deep

          Phathlo green or Winsor green

          Hooker’s green

          Optional colors:

          Quinacridone Gold

          Quinacridone Burnt Orange

          Sap Green

          Permanent rose madder

          Permanent red-violet or quinacridone violet

          Windsor Violet,  Dioxazine Violet, Carbozal Violet or Imperial Purple

Buy artist grade paints such as Winsor & Newton, Holbein, MaimeriBlu, Graham, or Daniel Smith.  American Journey, Da Vinci and Van Gogh are okay if you have them.  Do not buy student grade paints such as Reese's, Cotman or Grumbacher. 

Palette:  Get a real watercolor palette with deep wells  I recommend a regular watercolor palette with 16 or more individual wells for colors and a large mixing area..

Water containers:  A half gallon container or larger.  Recycle something.

Brushes: 

          A No. 14 natural bristle or blended bristle short-handled round watercolor brush. 

          A 1” round mop or 1 ½” flat wash brush.  You want a brush that will hold lots of water. 

          A No. 7 or 8 round watercolor brush

          A rigger, liner or script brush

          Make sure you get watercolor brushes, not "watercolor and acrylic" brushes. Watercolor brushes have short handles, not long.

          Natural bristle brushes work best and come in all price ranges.  Squirrel hair and synthetic blends are inexpensive, keep a decent point and hold a lot of water.  Don't get pure squirrel.  It's too soft.  Sable and sable blends come in all qualities (and prices).  Kolinsky sable is the best of all but usually very expensive.  Some good brands to begin with:

          Winsor and Newton.  Buy better than the series 136.  It won’t hold a point.  Series 7 is their best.

          Silver Black Velvet Rounds.  Get the numbered sizes, not the “mops.”   But the mops also hold an acceptable point and come in small, med & jumbo.  Inexpensive but I use them a lot.

          Stratford and York:   The Jet line is a squirrel hair blend similar to the Silver black velvet and is inexpensive.   The amethyst line is a good quality blend.  It is pricey for a beginner but doesn’t require a loan to purchase and is good for advanced work.

          Loew-Cornell:  Reasonable priced and mid quality.    Most LC brushes are synthetic but hold a good amount of water.  The type with the red band on the handle is the best

Easel:  You don't need an easel.  

Masking Tape:  The low tack green or blue painter's tape available at any hardware store.  Get 1 1/2" wide if you will be using tape to stretch paper.  Otherwise 3/4" is okay.

Drawing Supplies:  White eraser, No. 2  or darker pencil, drawing pad, preferably the same size as your watercolor paper, graphite or oil free transfer paper if you are using a watercolor block.

          Optional: Gray Scale Markers (Prismacolor), 3 values (lt., med., and dark), wax free graphite paper if you are transferring a drawing.  There is a light box available at Suntan Art Center classes.

Masking Fluid:  If you use masking fluid bring some liquid dishwashing soap in a small sealable container, like a 35 mm film canister.  I like Pebeo masking fluid the best.

Brush Washing Soap or Saddle Soap

Optional:  Hair dryer (one will be available), an old hand or dish towel.  Paper towels are available.

IF IN DOUBT DON’T BUY IT.  Come to class first to see what works best.  If you can’t get everything don’t worry about it.  I’ll share. Call if you have questions.  Terry Denson, 727-698-2285.