WATERCOLOR PAINTS – (Do NOT buy 'student grade')
Best Brands to Buy:
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Winsor & Newton (NOT Cotman - this is their student grade!)
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Grumbacher (NOT Academy - again, student grade!)
All listed below are Grumbacher or Winsor & Newton unless I've listed another brand. These paints will last you a LONG time. Please don't purchase any other greens than those listed. I know they look luscious and tempting, but trust me for now, you'll be wasting your money until you understand how to mix greens.
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Winsor Blue (Green Shade)
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Winsor Green (Blue Shade)
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Winsor Orange
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Winsor Violet
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French Ultramarine
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Permanent Alizarin Crimson
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Cerulean Blue
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Burnt Sienna
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Cadmium Red Light
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Cadmium Yellow Light
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Cadmium Yellow Lemon
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Burnt Umber
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Thalo Yellow Green
EXTRA COLORS THAT ARE GREAT TO HAVE - LATER
(After you've gained more skills and are just 'itchin' to add some new colors to your palette - these are the best colors worth your money.)
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Cobalt Turquoise
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Cobalt Violet
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Green Gold
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Permanent Green Light
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Quinacridone Crimson
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Quinacridone Gold
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Quinacridone Magenta
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Ultramarine Violet
Derwent Brand Metalic Watercolor Pans:
Get the pan set and save over individual pans. Includes silver, graphite, gold, pale gold, sunset, red, pink, purple, blue, ice blue, lime gold and green.
Or , buy them yourself
If you'd rather go shopping for supplies yourself, or already have supplies and want to compare, I've tried to make it as easy as possible for you to find what you need. Please make sure to buy only the brands I recommend -- you'll be saving yourself a huge headache and money in the long run. You can download a printer-friendly version of the supply list by clicking the button below:
The best place to purchase supplies
locally is:
Blick Art Materials
1844 India Street
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 687-0050
Hours: Mon-Fri: 10-8
Sat: 9-7
Sun: 10-6
Want more options? You can find more at:
BRUSHES
Unfortunately a lot of brush companies have gone out of business. I am currently searching for good quality brushes.
In the meantime, try to match the list below as best you can as the brushes are no longer offered on Blick.
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#4 Round
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#6 Round
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#8 Round
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#10 Round
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#12 Round
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#14 Round
Good Brushes last for years if well taken care of. A Good Brush will make painting easier and a Bad Brush will only frustrate you and waste your money. Do NOT purchase 'Artist's Loft' brand from Michael's - they fall apart immediately!
You are looking for Short Handle WATERCOLOR Brushes.
Look for brushes that hold a lot of water and keep their point or chisel no matter how worn they become.
Notice the handle of the brush on the far right? It ends in a wedge shape for use with watercolors. Try to find at least one brush with this type of handle.
More Fun! Watercolor Painting Supplies
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Canvas Brush Carrier -This is a MUST to keep your brush investment in top shape. A good one will fold open like an easel.
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Watercolor Palette - Get a large white plastic tray that has 32 wells around the outside edge and two large mixing areas in the middle. You WANT large mixing areas - you will be using the lid as a mixing area too, so find one with a lid that has no wells.
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4-5 SHEETS (not pads) of 140 lb ('Arches or Winsor & Newton Brands' only) COLD Press Watercolor Paper (22" x 30")
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1 SHEET (not pads) of 300 lb ('Arches or Winsor & Newton Brands' only) COLD Press Watercolor Paper (22" x 30") Either: Winsor Newton brand -or- Arches brand (These will last you a long time. You will be breaking these sheets down into to much smaller sheets for use. Don't panic and buy cheaper pads, you'll only end up frustrated with the quality. Plus, with the cheaper grades you have to buy other supplies in order to use them. So keep it simple and make it easier for yourself to learn.)
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2 Student Grade Watercolor Paper Pads - 9"x12" - This is for exercises only. The better full sheets listed above will be the paper you create your masterpieces on! I recommend Strathmore Watercolor pad as shown in the image above.
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'Prismacolor' brand Kneaded Eraser (NOT 'Artist's Loft' brand!)
MISCELLANEOUS SUPPLIES
These are the only supplies that are NOT included in the Blick Art Materials supply list online (top right column.) If you are purchasing your supplies online, please make sure to bring these with you to your first class as well.
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LARGE Roll of PAPER TOWELS – select-a-size works well
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HB Pencil
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Small Spray Bottle filled with water
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Water Bottle with water for drinking
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Bag for carrying your supplies (anything that works for you)
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Apron or wear old shirt over clothes
Watercolor Painting Supplies
So you've just signed up for Watercolor Painting Lessons! You're going to have a blast.
Now that you’re signed up, it’s time to gather your supplies. Don’t worry—I’ve made this as simple as possible to get you started without the stress.
The easiest (and most affordable) option is to order most of your materials online. You’ll find step-by-step instructions in the column to the right.
Prefer to shop in person? No problem. Everything you’ll need is listed below, and there’s also a print-friendly supply list on the right for your convenience.
If you'd rather buy them yourself or already have supplies, I've listed everything you'll need below. Compare what you have or purchase new.
You can find a print-friendly version of the supply list here:
IMPORTANT Note: Good brushes, quality paper and artist grade paint will make a HUGE difference in your ability to paint – so please, give yourself the gift of success by purchasing the supplies recommend on this list. They will last you for years.
If you have any questions at all, feel free to text me at (949) 551-1987 and I am happy to clarify for you.
EASIEST!
Order WATERCOLOR supplies
in one click!
To make it easy for you, you can order the majority of your supplies online and save time hunting around for everything on the list as well as money, since Blick Art Materials has great prices! It usually takes about 10 days for supplies to arrive, so if you have time, this is the best method.
I've already selected all of the main supplies that you will need and put them in a class list -- just click the button below to add them to your shopping cart and check out!
PLEASE NOTE:
There are several Miscellaneous Supplies that you will need that are not included in the list above. They are at the bottom of the supply list on the left hand side. Make sure you bring those with you to your first class as well!
One more thing -- if any of the items are 'Out of Stock', go ahead and order them with the rest of your supplies They will be shipped free of charge once the item comes back in stock.
Watercolor Painting Supplies
Here's What You'll Be Getting
Optional Supplies
If you own a digital tablet or smaller laptop, you are welcome to bring it to class with you. A tablet is a great tool for research! If you don't have one, no worries.
Confused? I've made it MUCH EASIER for you by creating a list on Blick Art Materials. All you need do is click on the link. Everything is preselected for you so you don't have to figure out if you have the correct item. Adding everything to your cart will give you the price. You'll notice a promo code box at checkout. At the top of the website in red, you'll find that code.
PLEASE NOTE: It takes 10 business days for your supplies to arrive so give yourself plenty by ordering early. Bring EVERYTHING to your first lesson. Lastly, if anything is 'out-of-stock', order it anyway. They won't charge you until they ship it, the shipping will still be free and they usually get new stock within a week or two.