Welcome to the wonderful world of watercolour painting!
Whether you’re an aspiring artist or just looking to explore a new creative outlet, watercolour painting offers a deeply relaxing experience that allows you to immerse yourself in the soothing flow of colours and brushstrokes. The gentle blending and fluidity create a calming atmosphere, providing a therapeutic escape from the stresses of everyday life.
We’ve compiled a list of essential art supplies that will equip you to create beautiful watercolour masterpieces. From paint brushes to watercolour paper, let’s discover the must-have items for your watercolour toolkit.
Watercolour Paints:
Watercolour paints come in two main forms: pan-type paints and paint in tubes. Both options offer their unique advantages, and the choice ultimately depends on personal preference and painting style.
- Pan-type Paints: These paints come in small, dry cakes called ‘pans’. Most of the pans available come in a size called a ‘half-pan’. The paint in pans is activated with water. They are convenient for outdoor or on-the-go painting, as they are portable and easily refillable. Pan paints also provide a wide range of colours, and their dry form ensures longer shelf life.
- Paint in Tubes: Tube paints consist of a paste-like pigment suspended in a water-soluble binder. They offer intense, vibrant colours and are well-suited for large-scale paintings and expressive brushwork. Tube paints allow artists better control over paint consistency.
SOME GREAT WATERCOLOUR PAINTS FOR BEGINNERS:
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Winsor & Newton Cotman Watercolour Tubes 8mlR108.70 -
Daler-Rowney Aquafine Watercolours – 8ml TubesR70.00 -
Prime Art Iris Watercolour Set (12 x 12ml Tubes)R156.60 -
Schmincke Horadam Watercolour (5ml)Price range: R158.00 through R245.00
Watercolour Paint Brushes:
Paint brushes are the fundamental tools for any watercolour artist. They come in various shapes, sizes, and materials, each serving a different purpose. When choosing brushes, you’ll encounter two primary types of bristles: synthetic and natural.
- Synthetic Bristle Brushes: These brushes are typically made from nylon or polyester. They offer excellent spring and durability, making them ideal for creating precise details and smooth washes. Synthetic brushes are also more affordable and easier to clean, making them a popular choice for beginners.
- Natural Bristle Brushes: These brushes are usually crafted from natural hair, such as sable or squirrel. Natural bristles provide superior water retention and a soft, delicate touch on the paper. They excel in creating expressive strokes and blending colors seamlessly. Although more expensive, natural bristle brushes are cherished by experienced artists for their quality and versatility.
SOME GREAT WATERCOLOUR BRUSHES FOR BEGINNERS:
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Dalon D77 Short Handle Round BrushPrice range: R56.00 through R125.70 -
Daler-Rowney Aquafine Skyflow BrushPrice range: R409.00 through R806.00 -
Daler-Rowney: Graduate – White Goat Oval Wash BrushesPrice range: R145.00 through R206.00 -
Dynasty Quill Black Gold BrushPrice range: R152.20 through R414.00
Watercolour Paper:
Choosing the right paper is crucial for achieving desirable watercolour effects. Watercolour paper is specifically designed to withstand the water-saturated nature of the medium. It comes in different weights, textures, and formats.
- Weight: Watercolour paper is categorised by weight, indicated in grams per square meter (gsm). Heavier weights, such as 300 gsm, are more robust and can handle multiple layers of paint and wet washes without buckling or warping. Watercolour paper can go up to 600 gsm and beyond! It’s very important to pre-stretch your watercolour paper if it’s under 300 gsm, to avoid it warping when wet. Stretching is quite simple – we have a blog post about how to do it a very easy way, and Winsor & Newton has a more technical blog post for advanced techniques.
- Texture: The texture of watercolour paper affects the paint’s behavior and the overall look of your artwork. Cold-pressed paper, with a slight texture or “tooth,” is the most versatile choice for beginners. It allows for a balance between controlled detail and spontaneous washes. Hot-pressed paper has a smoother surface, ideal for highly detailed work, while rough paper offers a textured, grainy effect.
- Formats: Watercolour paper is available as individual sheets or rolls, or even as watercolour pads. Pads are economical and convenient to carry around. Postcard size is also very popular!
SOME GREAT WATERCOLOUR PAPERS FOR BEGINNERS:
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Canson Montval 300g Cold Pressed A4 Ring bound PadR155.90 -
Canson Montval 300gsm Cold Pressed Watercolour PadPrice range: R125.90 through R207.90 -
Prime Art Water Pad Cold Pressed 300gsm 10 sheetsPrice range: R76.60 through R496.80
Watercolour Nice-To-Haves:
- Paint Palette: A palette gives you a surface to mix and work with your paints while you work. Browse our watercolour palettes.
- Masking Fluid: A rubbery liquid used to block off areas of the paper from paint, creating highlights or protecting intricate details. Browse our masking fluid selection.
- Gum Tape: As mentioned below, depending on your paper thickness and how much water you use, you might need to pre-stretch your paper. You’ll need gum tape for that! Browse gum tape.
- Watercolour (Aquarelle) Pencils: These versatile colour pencils can be used dry, or combined with water to give a watercolour effect. Browse our selection of watercolour pencils.