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High-quality smooth watercolor paper
This high-quality, 100% cotton, satin-smooth watercolor paper is my favorite. I love the Arches paper because it is pure white (not off-white), and I get lovely watercolor effects. Each brand of paper produces a different-looking effect with watercolor.
When you draw with colored pencils on top of dry watercolor, the paper should be smooth. You will not get the effects you see in my tutorials on a textured surface.
Arches Hot Pressed Watercolor Paper 300 g
Smooth practice paper for watercolor
Not made of cotton, this economical paper is good for practice. It is also smooth.
Fluid Artist Watercolor Block 300 g
Watercolor sketchbook
Doing watercolor sketching is an essential practice. This sketch pad is small and handy.
Canson Artist Series Watercolor Paper
Tracing paper
Bachmore 9”x12” Artist’s Tracing Paper Pad, 75 Sheets
Learn how to trace a line drawing onto watercolor paper (blog post tutorial).
LED light tracing pad
Speed up tracing outline drawings for your painting using a lightweight LED light tracing pad (it is very affordable). Connect to your device with a USB cord.
A4 Ultra-Thin Tracing Light Box USB Power
If you prefer wireless:
A4 Wireless Battery Powered LED Light Board
Sketching paper
Sketch Book, 9 x 12 inches, Top Spiral Bound,100 Sheets
Watercolors
My own collection of watercolor paint is a mix of quality brands, assembled over many years. I prefer punnets to tubes.
Winsor & Newton Cotman Watercolor Paint Set, Studio Set, 24 Half Pans
White gouache
Most of my watercolor tutorials make use of white gouache.
Winsor & Newton Designer's Gouache
Watercolor gold paint
In my blog post How to Make Watercolor Gold in Four East Steps, I use these two ingredients: Gold powder and Gum Arabic, and a little water.
Schmincke - Aqua-Bronze, rich gold powder
Colored pencils
My own collection of colored pencils consists of many brands, but my favorites are Faber-Castell and Derwent.
Faber-Castell Classic Colored Pencils 48 Vibrant Colors
Watercolor pencils
I have an Arteza set, and it is great.
Watercolor brush set
I have never given much importance to using high-quality watercolor brushes. As long as the brushes stay pointed and do the job, I’m happy. Make sure to clean your brushes well after a painting session. Use your fingers to make the hairs pointed each time you leave a brush to dry.
Use various sizes depending on the level of detail or broad strokes.
Artegria watercolor brush set: 10 synthetic squirrel hair brushes
Sponge
Sometimes, you want to soak up water and pigments in your watercolor painting. A sponge is your best tool. To make the sponge easy to handle, cut off a small piece.
Natural Sea & Synthetic Sponges - Assorted Sizes 7pc Value Pack
Mounting boards
It is essential to mount watercolor paper on a wooden board before painting. You get cut-offs at your local timber shop. Or buy ready-made boards.
Unfinished Wood Canvas Boards with 11”x14” | 4 pack
My tutorial about mounting watercolor paper.
Non-slip ruler
When you cut watercolor paper loose from the woodblock, you must cut along the edge of a ruler. Use a metal ruler with a non-slip cork back.
