Materials list for Intermediate Watercolour Class

Paper

I recommend Bauhong Master’s Choice as good brand of 100% cotton paper. It is almost as good as Arches, but less expensive. Shop around to find the best deal. Please buy 100% cotton paper, COLD PRESSED (also called “NOT”), 300gsm (140lb). 10 x 14 inches is ideal, but 9x12 inches would be okay too. The best painting experience is if you buy a “block” that is glued on all sides. If using a block, it’s useful to have two or more, so that while one is drying, you can work on another one. You can buy any brand, but I recommend:
• Bauhong Master’s Choice, or
• Fabriano Acquarello Artistico

We will also do lots of warmups, so please also bring cheaper watercolour paper, this doesn’t have to be 100% cotton.

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).

  • Another non-essential but lovely colour to have (if you like pinks) is Opera Pink. (5ml)

  • 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 Opera Pink or 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.