Materials list for Beginners Watercolour Class

If you already have your own materials, that’s fine, bring what you’ve got. If you don’t have any materials, below is a list of items you will need. If you bring your own materials then the classes are cheaper (£25 per class instead of £35). However, if you are unsure about buying art materials, and want to try the classes before you spend money, then I can supply all the materials you will need for the first term. Please do not go to Hobbycraft and buy the cheapest watercolours you can find, as you will not have a good experience painting with them!

PAINT

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.

• In addition, please buy Paynes Grey (5ml)

• Another lovely colour to have 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.

PAper

You will need all three of the items below:

1) A3 Cold Pressed paper: Daler-Rowney : Aquafine Watercolour Pad : 300gsm : A3 : 12 sheets : Cold Pressed : Not

2) A4 Cold Pressed paper: you can cut the A3 down to size, in which case you will need a craft knife and cutting mat. Or you can buy A4: Daler-Rowney : Aquafine Watercolour Pad : 300gsm : A4 : 12 sheets : Cold Pressed: Not

3) This cheaper paper for warmups: Goldline : Watercolour Studio Pad : 200gsm 100 sheets : 24x32cm

Brushes

I recommend this brush, you can do most things with it: Jackson's : Icon : Synthetic Sable : Watercolour Brush : Quill : No.2

Palette

A ceramic palette is better than a plastic one. This would be a great one to have, but if you’re unsure, hold off buying this and just use a flat white ceramic plate to start with. Jackson's : Porcelain Palette With Cover : 19 Well : 25x33x4cm

OTHER ITEMS

• Two water jars

• Kitchen Towel

• Toilet paper

• Masking tape: low tack tape works best.

• Some rags are useful (eg an old T-shirt cut up) and 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 are useful

• Spray bottle of water (you can use an old household spray bottle, just clean it out very well first)