Materials List         

Watercolor SUPPLIES List
and Optional BOOKS

Option 1: Order a Kit
If you prefer, you can order a “Beginner’s Kit” from me for $65 (about 15-20% off the cost of buying it all yourself), which includes:

- 12 sheet pad (9x12”) of Arches or Fabriano top-quality 100% cotton paper (an absolute must for beginners, trust me)
- half a tube of each of ten watercolor paints
- a portable folding palette
- four quality synthetic brushes

If you'd like a kit, just let me know when you sign up. You can pay for the kit along with the class via Venmo or Zelle, or you can pay for it in cash at the first class. 
PLEASE NOTE: You can't run out of paint during class -- refills are included. (Other necessary supplies, which you doubtless already own, are listed below.)
You *may* want to purchase more paper ($20 per pad, always available in the studio ) as the class progresses, but most students find this kit is enough to last through six weeks.

OPTION 2: Buy your own supplies

Basically, you need four things:

paper, paints, paintbrushes, and a palette

SHOPPING LIST: If you buy your own supplies, copy this list, print it out, and show it to the clerk.

PAPER:
The one thing I insist on is 100% COTTON PAPER. Buy ONE of the following:
1. One PAD of Arches paper 9x12” or larger. It has a black and green cover. Be sure to get COLD PRESSED paper (green cover), but ROUGH is okay (orange cover). Available online, and at Dick Blick for $19-21; highly recommended. You can always buy a pad from me in the studio for $20, tax included.
2. OR, buy  3 sheets of ARCHES or FABRIANO ARTISTICO brand 100% COTTON watercolor paper, each 30 x 22” or larger (about $7 - $9 per sheet). Ask for sheets of  "140-pound, cold press paper.” You can then cut them into sixths.

**ABSOLUTELY DO NOT**  buy "student" or "studio" Strathmore, Canson, Montvale, or Fabriano pads, or any other cheaper pad that says “ideal for students” -- they're not! You'll be wasting your money and buying a lot of grief. Believe me -- quality is a must here for beginners, and worth the price. I know it seems counterintuitive, but it’s true.

BRUSHES:

Princeton Real Value Brush Set #9153, available on all art websites and Amazon. See image above.

OPTIONAL - other USEFUL BRUSHES, $5 to $8 each:
- a MOP brush for wetting the paper: either a clean blusher brush (fairly large, old or new), or a 2" or 3" wide hake (pronounced “hockey”) goat hair brush 
- a thin RIGGER or LINER brush
 - one or more SCRUBBER brushes to remove mistakes or add highlights

TUBE PAINTS: 

SEE THE IMAGE BELOW for color names. More info to come.


These student-grade paints are inexpensive, mostly $4-5 per tube, but very good quality. Best bought online, as Blick art supply stores often do not carry a full line of colors.

  • Van Gogh - my absolute favorite. Dick Blick stores carry only limited colors, so best to buy online.

  • Grumbacher Academy - check stock online first

  • Cotman (Winsor & Newton student grade) - okay, but avoid their Permanent Rose color.

Artist-grade, or professional-grade paints, If you care to spend more, offer similar colors and characteristics, but with improved lightfastness, color intensity, and overall quality. Recommended brands, from least to most expensive, are:

  • M. Graham brand (less expensive but excellent)

  • Utrecht brand 

  • Daniel Smith brand

  • Winsor & Newton

more to come — sorry, i found a glitch that needs fixing