How to Choose Supplies for Watercolor Painting

The supplies you choose for your watercolor painting have an impact on your work. Your supplies influence whether your paintings fade over time, and how well your paint mixes. It's important to experiment with different materials and methods. Always make sure you choose the way that works best for you.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. Select your watercolor paint quality, size and brand. Depending on your skill and budget, you may want to buy small containers of a high quality paint. This gives you the best value and ensures that your work will not fade over time.

2. Buy an assortment of artist brushes. You'll need a small and a medium round brush, a tiny brush for detail work, and a flat brush. It is important that you use watercolor brushes because these are usually made of natural fibers and have shorter handles.

3. Choose a surface to paint on. Traditionally, watercolor artists use watercolor paper, which is available in blocks from most art stores.

4. Find a small dish to mix washes in. This should be shallow and preferably made of porcelain.

5. Decide if you will use a table or easel. Many watercolor artists prefer to work on a flat surface to prevent drips from their watercolor painting washes.

6. Select a watercolor palette to blend colors in. These come in porcelain, disposable paper and plastic varieties.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep paper towels on hand in case of any spills or runs when applying a wash.