Materials list for Intermediate Watercolour Class

Paper

You will need cheaper paper (any brand) for exercises and warmups, and good quality 100% cotton paper for paintings. “Blocks” (gummed on all sides) give you the best painting experience, but are a little more expensive than pads (gummed one end only).

I recommend:

  • Fabriano Acquarello Artistico - make sure you get the “Extra White” version, otherwise it is quite a yellow paper. 100% cotton, COLD PRESSED (also called “NOT”), 300gsm (140lb). I suggest 9x12 or 10x14 inches.

  • The best paper is Arches Aquarelle, cold pressed, 300gsm. This is highly recommended. 9x12 or 10x14”.

Brushes

  1. Hake Brush. For painting skies and other large areas, you will need a Hake Brush. I recommend this 1 inch (24mm) one from Jacksons Art: https://www.jacksonsart.com/jackson-s-artist-hake-white-goat-hair-brush-flat-1in-24mm.
    Please note that when you first open this brush, there is a strong smell, as the bristles are goats’ hair. Please open and take yours for a test drive before the first class, otherwise the smell will be terrible!

  2. Large round. I recommend this one: https://www.jacksonsart.com/jackson-s-icon-sable-synthetic-watercolour-brush-quill-no-2

  3. Small size 6 round - any synthetic brush is fine

  4. A rigger brush, like this: https://www.jacksonsart.com/pro-arte-ms-prolon-series-64-synthetic-brush-half-rigger-size-2-0 is good for making very fine lines.

  5. An old oil or acrylic brush (large, round) is useful for lifting techniques, if you have one.

DRAWING BOARD/STRETCHER

Unless you are painting on watercolour blocks, you will need a board to tape your paper onto. It needs to be slightly bigger than your paper.

PAINTS

Paint comes in two grades: student or professional. If you can afford it, buy a small set of professional paints. Then build your supplies gradually. You should shop around for the best price. Online Art Stores have special offers from time to time, it can save a lot of money to compare prices online. You can also buy art materials from Broad Canvas in Oxford, and Hobbycraft in Botley.

  • Daniel Smith : Watercolour Paint : Essentials Set : 5ml : Set of 6 - This is a good starter set, offering the 2-primary system (a warm and cool yellow, warm and cool blue, warm and cool red). The tubes are small but will last a long time.

  • A very useful colour to add to the Daniel Smith Essentials set, is Burnt Sienna. You can use mix Burnt Sienna with French Ultramarine to create beautiful greys similar to Payne’s Grey.

  • Another useful colour is Pthalo Green (Blue Shade) - if you mix this with your cool red, you get a good black.

  • Another useful paint to add is Neutral Tint (this is like black, you use it to darken your hues without muddying them).

  • If you can push the boat out a bit further, then instead of Daniel Smith Essentials Set of 6, you could buy Golden : Qor : Watercolour Paint : Introductory Set of 12 Colours : 5ml Tubes. These are wonderful paints and will set you up well. This set includes Payne’s Grey, Burnt Sienna and Pthalo Green (Blue Shade). It does not include Neutral Tint.

OTHER esential ITEMS

  • A ceramic palette. I like a flat palette, but it’s fine to get one with sections if you prefer. The bigger the better.

  • Two water jars

  • Kitchen Towel

  • Toilet paper

  • Masking tape: low tack tape works best. Or artist’s washi tape.

  • Some rags (eg an old T-shirt cut up) - these can save on wasting kitchen towel and toilet paper

  • A hard pencil (something in the “H” range)

  • A soft eraser

  • A cutting mat, ruler and craft knife

  • White acrylic or gouache paint

  • Spray bottle of water

USeful but not essential items:

  • Masking Fluid, eg. https://www.hobbycraft.co.uk/daler-rowney-art-masking-fluid-75ml/5636061000.html (Please note, you can also get “Permanent Masking Fluid”, which is non-removable… for now, don’t get the permanent one, you want the removable version!)

  • Watercolour pencil crayons are useful for drawing first when painting landscapes

  • Toothpicks or earbuds (for applying masking fluid)

  • Baking paper (for using with masking fluid)

  • Individual ceramic saucers for mixing washes, or a palette that has large wells in it.

  • Palette knife - smaller rather than larger, preferably diamond or oval shaped.

  • Small “mister” bottle of water

  • 3/4 inch flat watercolour brush

  • A natural sponge can be useful for foliage.