Classes and Materials

I can provide the minimum materials for lessons including two sheets of artist quality 100% cotton paper, a ceramic watercolor palette, brushes, dots of high quality student grade paint and paper towels at a lesson if requested. Otherwise, feel free to purchase from the material list below or use what you already have, provided you have the minimum.

Not just any palette will do. Due to the nature of watercolor, certain palette materials work better than others. Ceramic is best but metal works well too.

Tin watercolor palette

Ceramic watercolor palette

At a minimum, quality student grade paint is needed. Tubes go further than pre-filled pans. Winsor & Newton Cotman is a great starter set since it uses the same high-quality pigments as the professional series but in lesser density with cheaper fillers.

Watercolor tube paint

Any round and flat brushes will do but make sure you have at least a size 2, 4, 6, and 8 round and 1" flat brush. Below are links to Princeton brushes, a trusted brand that makes quality synthetic brushes.

Basic brush set

Size 8 round brush

1" flat brush

We will work on 100% cotton paper as it is best for watercolor. If not stated as 100% cotton, the paper is likely made of wood pulp or a mixture of such, which does not move pigment as well or stay damp as long.

Arches pad - 9x12 - 12 sheets

Hahnemuhle pad - 9x12 - 12 sheets

Any paper towel brands are fine but Bounty works especially well as it absorbs water faster.

Any masking or artist tape will work, just needs to hold down the paper.

Use tinted masking fluid to see where fluid has been placed. It is also good to have an old round brush too for applying the masking fluid. Remember using a brush in masking fluid will ruin the brush, so make sure it is cheap.

Masking fluid

Fan brushes are great for adding foliage. Rigger brushes are great for loose painting trees and branches, ripple reflections on water and more! Quill brushes are perfect for loose watercolor painting and hold a lot of water due to their shape, and yet can also come to a fine point.

Princeton Aqua Elite fan brush

Rigger brushes

Quill brush set

Used to create foliage and other texture.

Natural sponges

Used for keeping paper wet and helping pigment flow in a certain direction.

Mist bottle

When you are ready to take your watercolor painting to the next level, here are some trusted, reasonably priced sets (reasonable for professional sets, that is).

Holbein basic tube set

Schmincke watercolor set

Winsor & Newton watercolor set