My Personal List of
Watercolor Supplies
Paints
Professional grade paints offer high-quality pigments and vibrant, transparent colors that are essential for creating beautiful washes and detailed work. They provide a range of effects from bold, transparent to granulating blends needed for diverse painting techniques.
Pigments are blended with a binder of Arabic Gum or Honey in order to make a watercolor paint. Both are widely used and nice to use. You do not need to be brand loyal and are able to mix your watercolor paints that have these binders.
Two of my favorite professional grade paints are,
Daniel Smith Extra Fine Watercolors: Famous for its high-quality, artist-grade watercolors and unique pigment offerings like Primatek (made from natural minerals). Known for superior lightfastness and an extensive range of colors.
Sennelier L'Aquarelle Watercolors: A French brand known for rich, honey-based paints that offer vibrant, smooth textures. Sennelier watercolors are loved for their luminosity and buttery texture.
My Choice: Daniel Smith Watercolor Paint Set – Offers a wide range of hues with excellent lightfastness and blending capabilities.
Paper
Cold Press Watercolor Paper: Features a toothy textured surface that enhances the appearance of the paint through it’s unique texture, suitable for layering and detailed brushwork.
My Choice: Arches Cold Press Watercolor Paper – Provides superior absorbency and texture for detailed watercolor work.
Hot Press Watercolor Paper: Smooth, non-textured paper ideal for precise details and smooth washes without the interference of texture. This paper allows for vibrant colors to shine through and requires less water when painting.
My Choice: Arches Hot Press Watercolor Paper – Ideal for smooth and detailed watercolor techniques.
Rough Watercolor Paper: Rough-textured paper, extra toothy and ideal for rough surfaces such as stone and water. This paper is exquisite for dry brushing techniques.
My Choice: Arches Cold Press Watercolor Paper – Provides superior absorbency and texture for detailed watercolor work.
Rag Watercolor Paper: Individual handmade rough textured paper ideal for highlighting vibrant details with one of a kind textures.
My Choice: Arches Cold Press Watercolor Paper – Provides superior absorbency and texture for detailed watercolor work.
Practice/Sketch Watercolor Paper: This can be any preferred watercolor paper, used for quick sketches and color swatching. It is usually a more inexpensive option and may not maintain pigment/water distribution as well as other higher priced alternatives.
My Choice: Arches Cold Press Watercolor Paper – Provides superior absorbency and texture for detailed watercolor work.
Brushes
Round Brush
Description: Versatile and commonly used. It has a rounded tip and can produce thin to thick lines depending on the pressure applied.
Uses: Fine details, broad strokes, line work, washes, and general-purpose painting.
My Choice: Winsor & Newton Series 7 Round Brushes – Offers excellent control and a fine point for intricate details.
Flat Brush or Mottler
Description: Has a flat, squared-off shape with long bristles. It creates sharp edges and bold, even strokes.
Uses: Straight lines, filling large areas, creating washes, and precise edges.
My Choice: Princeton Select Flat Wash Brush – Ideal for even washes and creating broad strokes.
Mop Brush
Description: A large, rounded brush with soft bristles, often made of squirrel or goat hair. It holds a lot of water and pigment.
Uses: Large washes, wetting paper, blending, and soft effects.
My Choice: Princeton Select Flat Wash Brush – Ideal for even washes and creating broad strokes.
Rigger Brush
Description: A long, thin brush with a fine point. It is traditionally used for painting fine lines,
Uses: Detail work, long continuous lines, lettering, and fine outlines.
My Choice: Princeton Select Flat Wash Brush – Ideal for even washes and creating broad strokes.
Liner Brush
Description: A very thin, long-bristled brush similar to the rigger brush but often slightly finer.
Uses: Creating delicate, long lines, outlines, and detailed work like whiskers or branches.
My Choice: Princeton Select Flat Wash Brush – Ideal for even washes and creating broad strokes.
Script Brush
Description: Similar to the liner brush but longer, with a fine tip. Designed for continuous, flowing strokes.
Uses: Fine, elegant lines, calligraphy, and script-like lettering or intricate details.
My Choice: Princeton Select Flat Wash Brush – Ideal for even washes and creating broad strokes.
Dagger Brush
Description: A flat brush with a sharply angled, dagger-like tip.
Uses: Long, controlled strokes, fine details, and varied thickness lines.
My Choice: Princeton Select Flat Wash Brush – Ideal for even washes and creating broad strokes.
Angular Brush
Description: Similar to a flat brush but with an angled edge.
Uses: Precision in corners, angled strokes, and controlled lines..
My Choice: Princeton Select Flat Wash Brush – Ideal for even washes and creating broad strokes.
Cat’s Tongue Brush
Description: A versatile brush shaped like a rounded oval with a pointed tip, resembling a cat’s tongue.
Uses: Precision work, broad strokes, and fine details. Great for both wide washes and delicate lines.
My Choice: Princeton Select Flat Wash Brush – Ideal for even washes and creating broad strokes.
Scrubber Brush
Description: A stiff, short-bristle brush designed for lifting or removing paint from the paper.
Uses: Correcting mistakes, creating textures, lifting dried or wet paint, and softening edges.
My Choice: Princeton Select Flat Wash Brush – Ideal for even washes and creating broad strokes.
Filbert Brush
Description: A flat brush with a rounded tip, combining the characteristics of round and flat brushes.
Uses: Soft edges, blending, and varied strokes, as it can create both rounded and flat marks.
My Choice: Princeton Select Flat Wash Brush – Ideal for even washes and creating broad strokes.
Fan Brush
Description: Bristles are spread out in a fan shape. It can be made of synthetic or natural fibers.
Uses: Creating texture (grass, foliage, fur), blending, and special effects.
My Choice: Princeton Select Flat Wash Brush – Ideal for even washes and creating broad strokes.
Palette
Studio Palette: Used for mixing and organizing paints, ensuring consistent color and smooth transitions. Provides a convenient surface for blending and preparing colors.
My Choice: Winsor & Newton Series 7 Round Brushes – Offers excellent control and a fine point for intricate details.
Travel Palette: Used for mixing and organizing paints, ensuring consistent color and smooth transitions. Provides a convenient surface for blending and preparing colors.
My Choice: Princeton Select Flat Wash Brush – Ideal for even washes and creating broad strokes.
Watercolor Pencils
Protects areas of the paper from paint, allowing for crisp lines and preserving white spaces. Useful for creating precise details and maintaining clean edges.
My Choice: Winsor & Newton Art Masking Fluid – Provides reliable coverage and easy removal.