|
Watercolor
Catherine Fetterman
linguaart@verizon.net
The following list represents a basic supply kit for painting in transparent watercolor. Those registering for "Beyond the Basics" are asked to bring any source materials that they wish to paint from (object, photos, etc.) as well as any other supplies that they may already have, including other brands and weights of high quality paper, brushes and other painting supplies.
Most, but not all of the supplies, can be purchased locally but are significantly (50% or more) less expensive if you use a discount mail-order company, like the ones I recommend at the end of this list. Items that are harder to find locally and would need to be ordered are indicated with an (*). During our time together, we’ll cover how to choose quality supplies, as well as how to properly care for them.
PAPER
High Quality Watercolor Paper
Two 22”x30” sheets of Arches 140 lb cold-pressed watercolor paper or one of Cheap Joe’s watercolor paper sample packs “SP7”.* You will also need a backing board to support your paper. I recommend Cheap Joe’s Gatorboard 12”x16”, or The Incredible Art Board 16”x24” through Dick Blick. *
Lesser Quality Watercolor paper —brand of your choice; preferably 9”x12” 140lb weight.
PALETTE
Preferred: I suggest a palette that is made of sturdy white plastic, has big mixing areas and a cover. Brands that I particularly like include: Robbie Laird Palette*, regular Pike Palette, and the 24 well Hommee (or Alvin or Heritage)* folding palette.
Starter Option: a few large white plastic plates and a plastic bag for transport
BRUSHES
There’s an extensive selection of quality brushes online. Locally, however, I believe the best choice available is the Robert Simmons Sapphire series (w/short 6” handle). The prices give you an idea of the online discounted price for good quality watercolor brushes, across a range of brands. List price is about double that. If you already own good watercolor brushes close to the sizes listed below, feel free to bring those instead.
Preferred
A. One of each of the following:
- #4 round or #2 rigger or liner (approx. $5-$10)
- #8 or #10 round (approx. $9-$23)
- 1.5” Holbein Hake* (approx. $14)
- ¾”oval wash (specifically the Silver Brush Black Velvet series*, approx. $20.
B. Choose one hard bristle brush of your choice for textural effects. Here are just a few of many fine choices available:
- 1.5” Zoltan Szabo Bristle Slant (through Cheap Joe’s, approx. $11)*
- 1” Susie Short Chisel Tip* (through Daniel Smith, approx. $15)
- #8 Royal Soft Grip Foliage Brush (angled brush, short handle) (approx. $3) or any other brand preferably with an angle to it.
C. One very short hard bristle brush for scrubbing/ lifting paint. Some options include:
- #4 Fritch Scrubber* or ½” Level Lifter* (approx. $5, available w/ Cheap Joe’s)
- #4 Scrubber Brush * (approx. $5, available w/ Dick Blick)
- any short handled small acrylic/oil painting bristle brush (may trim in class)
Starter Option
- #9 round (approx. $10-$20)
- 1.5” Holbein Hake* (approx. $14)
- one of the brushes in “C” above
- any small brushes you may have at home, including foam brushes
PAINTS
Professional or artist grade paints will most often give you superior results over lesser quality student grade ones. High quality artist grade paints include those by DaVinci, Holbein, M. Graham, MaimeriBlu, Daniel Smith, Utrecht, and Winsor & Newton among some others. I am including the pigment color index names for you in parentheses since the same pigment is often labeled under different names by different manufacturers. If you already have tubes or pans of artist grade paint, you’re welcome to bring what you have, in addition to or instead of, what I’ve listed below.
Preferred Large tubes (15ml or larger) of artist grade paints
Starter Option Small tubes of artist grade paints; I highly recommend to you the Utrecht brand that comes in 7.5 ml tubes for about $4 each. They are available only through Utrecht.
- Hansa Yellow Medium (PY74) or Cadmium Yellow (PY35)
- Raw Sienna (PBr7)
- Ultramarine Blue (PB29)
- Cobalt Blue (PB28)
- Phthalo Blue (PB15)
- Viridian (PG18) or Phthalo Green (Blue Shade: PG7 or Yellow Shade: PG36)
- Burnt Sienna (PBr7)
- Quinacridone Red (PV19 or PR209)
- Sap Green/Permanent Sap Green (Daniel Smith, M. Graham, Winsor & Newton)
OTHER ITEMS YOU’LL NEED
- White plastic eraser
- # 2 pencil or HB drawing pencil and pencil sharpener
- White artist tape (1” wide)
- Masking fluid (nonpermanent; also called frisket or maskoid)
- Masking fluid pick-up (also called rubber cement pick-up)
- Small spray bottle (one that releases droplets is better than a mist; I personally like the Holbein Watercolor Atomizer Bottle*)
- Salt (a tablespoon is plenty)
- Stapler
- Black Sharpie Ultra Fine permanent marker
- Jar, brush holder or other non-airtight container in which to store your brushes
- Old credit card to cut into pieces (I have some if you don’t)
- Roll of paper towels (Viva, Kleenex, or Bounty brands)
- Very small bar of hand soap in a plastic bag
- Cheap toothbrush
- Two plastic water containers (at least pint size)
- Small, portable hairdryer (if possible)
- Something in which to store all of your supplies (box? bag? rolling cart?)
REPUTABLE MAIL-ORDER COMPANIES FOR ART SUPPLIES I’VE RECOMMENDED:
|
