My art supply List
Starting a new watercolor hobby can be so exciting and fun to dive into, but a little daunting if you’re not sure where to begin when it comes to quality art supplies. I’d love to share with you what supplies I use that help me create my artwork so you can know what to get to start your creative journey with watercolor!
Below I have my Amazon Storefront with all my favorite art supplies, art books, and art studio furniture.
Let’s talk watercolor PAINT:
I highly recommend the brand Winsor & Newton for high quality paint that also lasts you a long while. The difference between lower quality paint and Winsor and Newton is quite drastic. It’s 100% worth the investment to have high quality paint and will be a game-changer for your artwork.
There are two grades of Winsor and Newton Paint: Cotman (less expensive & still good quality) or Professional grade level (the highest quality of paint) I personally use the professional level grade, but either option is good.
Watercolor paint can come in already dried half pan sets (listed below) or in paint tubes. If using paint tubes, add the color to your palette and let it dry for one day before using. Either option works fine.
This is the specific set I use & I purchase mine through Amazon: Amazon.com: Winsor & Newton : Professional Watercolour : Lightweight Metal Sketchers Box Set : 24 Half Pans (24 Colors Set)
Two other less expensive options are these two Cotman Winsor and Newton paint sets:
Amazon.com: Winsor & Newton Cotman Water Colour Paint Sketchers' Pocket Box, Half Pans, 14-Pieces
Amazon.com: Winsor & Newton Cotman Watercolor Paint, Half Pans, Set of 24
Note: The Cotman series can also be found at Micheals Craft Store or Blick Art Materials.
3 additional colors I use that are not included in these palettes are Cobalt Turquoise Light, Cobalt Turquoise (regular), and Opera Rose.
Let’s talk Watercolor PAPER:
I personally use Canson XL (140 lb.) Watercolor Paper that’s cold press. I’ve been using it for 8 years and love it. It allows color to blend and glide across the paper easily. It also happens to be very affordable!
You can get tablets in a variety of sizes and they typically come with 30 sheets per tablet. I typically have these sizes of tablets on hand:
9 by 12 inches, 11 by 15 inches, and 18 by 24 inches.
Here’s a link to order through Micheals Craft Store: https://www.michaels.com/canson-xl-watercolor-pad/M10145805.html
Also on Amazon: Amazon.com: Canson 100510941 XL Series Watercolor Pad, 1 Pack, Multicolor: Arts, Crafts & Sewing
Let’s talk watercolor BRUSHES:
The sole brand I use for brushes in my artwork is Princeton. (Side note: If you’re on a budget, then Fine Touch brand is another option) I’m telling you, they are the BEST. A must-have. I’m not going to lie, they are an investment but they last for years if you take good care of them. For brush care, check out this YouTube video by artist Jenna Rainey: Do's and Don'ts for Long Lasting Watercolor Brushes - YouTube
The brand Princeton carries brushes for just about every paint medium. For watercolor, I use two of their brush series: Aqua Elite (black handle) and Heritage (red handle) Watercolor Brush | Princeton Brush Company
You can purchase these at Hobby Lobby, Amazon, or Blick Art Materials.
These are are my top 4 brushes I couldn’t live without:
Size 12 Aqua Elite round brush - It retains water so well and is perfect for watercolor galaxies, or loose florals & landscapes. Amazon.com: Princeton Aqua Elite, Series 4850, Synthetic Kolinsky Watercolor Paint Brush, Round, 12
Size 2 Heritage round brush - Amazing brush for the finer, dainty details in a painting. I use this for pine trees, watercolor lettering, and hair for portraits. Amazon.com: Princeton Heritage, Series 4050, Synthetic Sable Paint Brush for Watercolor, Round, 2: Garden & Outdoor
Size 4 Heritage round brush - This brush is great for medium sized details. Not too big or small, but just right in the middle. Amazon.com: Princeton Heritage, Series 4050, Synthetic Sable Paint Brush for Watercolor, Round, 4
Size 6 Heritage round brush - This was the first brush I ever owned by Princeton and I can’t go without it. If you had to pick just ONE brush, I would recommend this one. It’s got a fine tip for details, but still large enough to retain a good amount of water for larger brush strokes. Amazon.com : Princeton Heritage, Series 4050, Synthetic Sable Paint Brush for Watercolor, Round, 6 : Artists Round Paintbrushes : Office Products
I hope this helps you enter into your watercolor journey with some ease in knowing some reliable art supply brands. These are my go-to’s for my work and have been key in the quality of my paintings. Feel free to email me or comment below if you have any questions!