5 things you need to get started with watercolor

Find all supplies linked here!

You may find your self like me, working away in the corporate world while dreaming of doing something creative. We are rarely given opportunities to chase our dreams, we have to seek opportunities to make them happen! Regardless of where you find yourself today, young or old, skilled or just getting started, watercolors are an exciting and versatile way to explore your creative side! I often get asked what supplies I use, and honestly, you do not need much to get started! Let’s get to the good stuff!

the five supplies you need to get started.

paper

• Fabriano 140lb watercolor paper - After trying many different brands of watercolor paper, Fabriano is the one I keep going back to!

• Canson 140lb watercolor paper - If you are just getting started, the Canson watercolor paper is inexpensive and a great entry level choice

paint

• Kuretake watercolor paint set - I still use this one today! The colors are vibrant and the set is ready to use right out of the box!

• If you are looking to explore other easy to use watercolor paints, I love using the Winsor Newton Cotman watercolor tubes, Dr. Ph Martin’s concentrated watercolor, and gouache.

brushes

• Princeton Neptune watercolor brushes - Not all brushes are created equal! I stumbled upon these early in my journey and fell in love with them! I tend to paint with small round brushes, so I would suggest purchasing smaller brushes (size 1, 2 and 4) to get started. This Winsor Newton set is also a great one to get you going!

palette

• I personally use this tray as my palette and love it! It’s super easy to use and wipe clean. But, here is a secret - a dinner plate from your cabinets works just fine too! No need to get fancy here!

pens

• Black Micron pens are excellent to use with watercolor as they do not bleed when wet!

My favorite part about watercolor is that it does not require a big commitment in terms of cost, space and time. Grab your supplies along with water, a paper towel and a pencil and you are ready to get started!