Thank you for joining MAKEart Studios for our watercolor workshop! I hope you walked away feeling relaxed, inspired, and with a deeper understanding and appreciation for the magic of watercolor paint.
If you enjoyed the process and are looking to continue painting at home, here are the materials we used in class — along with a few extras I personally recommend. These are great starter tools that strike a nice balance between quality and price. Whether you're just beginning or building your collection, these supplies will support your creative journey.
WATERCOLOR PAPER is very different than the paper that spits out of your printer. It is meant to not only absorb loads of water, but also keep the paint on the surface for a period of time so artists have the chance to manipulate it. Watercolor paper comes in three different surfaces; rough, cold press, and hot press. It is also offered in a variety of thicknesses, referred to as weight. The weight refers to how much the ream of paper weighs as a whole. Most artists work in 140 pound or above for finished paintings, only working on 90 pound for quick exercises or sketches.
I strongly believe that the most important change you make is in your paper. To successfully manipulate watercolor paint you must have a surface that is appropriate. We used cold-pressed paper, which has a gentle texture that holds pigment and water beautifully.
Here are a few paper options I recommend:
Canson XL watercolor paper. It’s inexpensive, easy to grab on Amazon or even at Walmart, and it performs well, this was one of the papers we used at the workshop. It’s my favorite student grade watercolor paper
I also like this watercolor sketchbook (also can be found at Hobby Lobby) if you’re looking for more options to paint on, this one is also nice (I like the length of it). I also really enjoy these sketchbooks and take them while traveling.
When you’re ready to make the leap to professional grade paper, my favorite is this Arches Cotton Paper
If you're just practicing, a student-grade pad is great. If you're making finished pieces or gifts, upgrading to 100% cotton paper is worth it!I recommend starting on cold press 140# pound watercolor paper, my absolute favorite beginner watercolor paper is
WATERCOLOR PAINT & PALETTE come in many forms. Our palettes used in the workshop are built mostly from Winsor & Newton Professional Water Colours with the exact colors listed below. I really love the Mr. Pen palettes that I placed the watercolor in, and if you want to make an investment in building your own palette, using the professional paints listed below and the Mr. Pen palette are a great starting point, it's vibrant, beginner-friendly, and a great introduction to watercolor.
MAKEart Studios Watercolor Palette
However, if you aren’t ready to make the investment, there are much more modest sets to start with:
The Winsor & Newton Cotman travel watercolor set is perfect for trips, and one that I own and use all the time on the go.
I like the kuratake watercolor set (a Japanese brand that comes in a beautiful green box) but their paint is slightly mmore opaque than traditional watercolor
[Travel-friendly palette or ceramic mixing tray – insert link]
This set includes a good range of colors that mix well and offers portability if you’re painting on the go. If you're ready to invest in something a little more luxe, I also love [INSERT HIGHER-END PAINT SET LINK] for their pigment strength and smooth application.We used a [INSERT PAINT SET NAME] in class — it's vibrant, beginner-friendly, and a great introduction to watercolor.
[Watercolor Paint Set – insert description + affiliate link]
[Travel-friendly palette or ceramic mixing tray – insert link]
There are an overwhelming amount of WATERCOLOR BRUSHES to choose from. Generally speaking, I suggest that beginning watercolorists rely on a variety of round brushes for the bulk of their painting needs and a large mop brush for washes. A good brush makes a big difference. We used a size 6 in class.
Utrecht synthetic Round NO. 6 watercolor Brush — soft enough to hold water but springy enough to keep a fine point.
Arguably, the very best watercolor brush you can buy is a Kolinsky Sable brush, made from the hair of a weasel that lives in Siberia ... who would have guessed, but they are crazy expensive. Squirrel, goat, and boar hair all hold their shape well and soak up a lot of water, making them great brushes as well. Synthetic bristles are a great alternative at a much more affordable price.
Basic Set of brushes that I enjoy using - Heritage Synthetic Sable Brushes
The Princeton Neptune Series holds a ton of water and is great for loose watercolor painting
Stick with synthetic or synthetic/sable blends to start — they’re affordable, durable, and great for learning control. Quality varies greatly so I recommend that you try them out beforehand or read up on other artists opinions before making a purchase.