MATERIALS LIST FOR BEGINNERS.

Even as a complete beginner it is worth starting with good quality materials. The ‘student packs’ widely available are of variable quality. Most are fine, and on no account should be discarded. The worst amongst them have been known to put people off watercolour altogether, which is a great shame!

If you are starting from scratch, we would thoroughly recommend going straight to artist/professional quality. The extra cost is worth every penny. Materials of this standard do some of the work for you ( as opposed to hindering your efforts). The papers are more forgiving, allowing you correct mistakes. The paints are richer, brighter and more fluid. Brushes which retain their shape as you work mean you can rely on them to make the marks you want.

Buy Artists Quality paints. They will be marked ‘Artist Quality’ or “professional quality’ on the tube. (If not, they are student quality.) Although more expensive than other paints the quality means that the paints aid your painting. Cheaper paints can give disappointing results, hindering your progress and causing disappointment. It is possible to get started with just three colours, one of each of the primaries. Buying just a few more will increase the range of colours you can mix; 2 of each primary, a warm and a cool version. After that, there are three colours that very useful mixers, one of which, burnt Sienna, we find almost indispensable! Tubes are preferable to pans; all are available as 5ml or 14ml/15ml.

The range of brushes on the market is enormous. The costs vary hugely. As long as they are watercolour brushes and spring back into shape as you use them they will be fine to start with. If you are confused the brushes in the list are a reliable starting point.

The ‘Beginners’ Shopping List’ is therefore not compulsory, but highly recommended! It has been developed over a number of years to give you the best start possible. It is not necessary to buy everything on the list; choose according to your confidence about whether you will enjoy watercolour, and your comfort level about the costs involved. (Please don’t fall into the trap of buying lesser quality materials to save money - just buy fewer good ones).

Beginners Shopping List

Paints

We recommend Daler Rowney, or Winsor and Newton.

REDS: Alizarin crimson(cool), permanent rose (warmer),

BLUES:Ultramarine blue (warm), cobalt blue (cool)

YELLOWS: Lemon yellow (cool), raw Sienna (warm), new gamboge (hue)

VERY USEFUL EXTRAS: Burnt Sienna, sap green, permanent mauve ( Daler Rowney; it is called Winsor violet in Winsor a& Newton)

PAPER

Bockingford 140lbs/300gms NOT

This is a medium surface, called NOT ( i.e. not hot pressed(very smooth), not rough). Choose a size that feels comfortable to you. A good starting size is a ‘quarter sheet, 11in x 15in.

BRUSHES

Pro Arte: Prolene  Plus synthetic watercolour brushes, Pointed Round Series 7. Sizes 2, 4, 8 or 10

PALETTE

A palette with large, flat wells is best : Click here for example