Supply List For Watercolor
Revised June 2004
Molly Hashimoto, Instructor
Drawing pencil 2H (for watercolor undersketches)
Artist eraser, white Mars plastic (made by Staedtler)
Arches 140 lb. cold press watercolor paper, in single sheets 22 X 30: cut to preferred size for your painting. It’s also available in blocks: 7” X 10” or 9” X 12” are good sizes. I use the Arches 10” X 13” for studies and open air painting.
Sable or sable/synthetic blend watercolor brushes: #12, #8, and #4 round essential. Other sizes and types are optional. Do not buy a synthetic brush in #12 or #8 size: they are too stiff and do not lay smooth washes. Synthetics are fine for #4 and smaller sizes. I like Da Vinci Maestro sable rounds the best, but they are kind of expensive. A sable/synthetic blend works well and is cheaper. Other brushes I like using are large flat sable brushes (3/4”) for large washes, riggers or liners for small line work.
Fine artist quality tube paints. Daniel Smith, Winsor and Newton (not their Cotman variety), Old Holland, Schmincke, Sennelier are some of the higher quality manufacturers. M. Graham are generally good also and inexpensive, though some hues and consistencies are not ideal. If you buy cheaper student-grade paints, be aware that they are not always lightfast and hues may vary considerably from artist-quality paints.
Required colors: permanent alizarin crimson (made by Winsor and Newton) or Daniel Smith anthraquiniod red (same color-different name), cadmium red medium, French ultramarine blue, phthalo blue, cadmium yellow light, cadmium yellow medium, hooker’s green, burnt umber or burnt sienna. Other colors you may want to add: cobalt blue, cerulean blue, sap green, yellow ochre, Chinese white, or even better, Winsor and Newton permanent white or zinc white gouache-it has more covering power than Chinese white. For flower painting you might consider the following: cadmium orange (a medium natural-looking orange), coral orange (for bright, flowing oranges), quinacridone magenta, carbazole violet.
Mixing pan with multiple wells: my favorite is the John Pike Watercolor Palette-it’s large, has a cover and multiple small wells. You may also need saucers or a palette with larger wells if you plan on mixing up larger washes. I use the San Francisco Slant Palette. You don’t need to buy this right away, but it is indispensable if you are a serious painter. For outdoor work you might consider a smaller travel palette.
Water containers (yogurt containers work fine)
Masking tape
Drafting tape (will not tear most watercolor papers)
Masking fluid and a tool (like the Incredible Nib) for applying the fluid.
Soft cotton rag,
paper towels
Good art supply sources in Seattle:
Artist and Craftsman Supply, 4350 8th AV NE, 545-0091, reasonable price, carries M.
Graham watercolor paints (inexpensive). Gives a 10% discount to students who show this supply list
Dakota Art Store, Roosevelt Way NE 523-4830. After you spend $50, you get a discount or rebate.
Daniel Smith, 4150 1st AV S, 223-9599, manufactures their own paints, good quality, gives good discount to registered students
University Bookstore, 4326 University WY NE, 634-3400
Utrecht, corner of Pike and Minor, Capitol Hill, 382-9696, reasonable prices, good price on Arches sketchbooks