Art Supplies - Watercolour

I've been getting so many messages lately, asking what kind of paints and paper and brushes I use.
Thought I'd give you all a peek at some of my supplies :)

If you're thinking of getting into painting in watercolor - - here are a few supplies that I would recommend:

You can grab yourself a "starter kit" of watercolors. I use little tubes of Cotman watercolors by Winsor and Newton. 

Cadmium Red (Deep Hue or Pale Hue) 
Yellow Ochre
Cadmium Yellow (Light or Pale Hue)
Ultramarine
Burnt Umber
Burnt Sienna
Sap Green 
Viridian Hue 

Always try to use the white of the paper for your whitest whites and never use black - - mix Ultramarine and Burnt Umber for a dark color instead  

I would invest in a watercolor block (This way all four sides are waxed and you shouldn't have to worry about messing about with taping down edges etc. Just make sure to let it completely dry before removing the sheet to get to the one underneath, otherwise it will curl. I use Arches Watercolor paper - cold pressed 140lb

Brushes can be expensive, but you don't have to spend a fortune to get a good one - - you may try some brands and not like them as much as others. I'm not too picky, as long as it holds its tip and doesn't get too bristly. My largest round brush is a size 12 Gold Sable, My smallest brushes are 00 - - and my medium brushes are so well-used that they have no numbers LOL. Any art supply store should have some good brushes ( I usually spend $5-20) each. (I use round brushes, myself)

Hope this helps!

Basic Art Supplies

Time to clean the 'ole Palette

I'm not sure if I'm breaking a cardinal sin by not washing my palette every time I use it, but I feel a little guilty. It's one of those things they tried to hammer into my head back in College.

Unlike "Keep your pencil sharp", which I totally understand, cleaning the palette and using "new" paint every time feels like a waste to me. Maybe they were just making sure our paint wasn't getting "muddy", which does happen. The pigment does lose some of its sharpness, but, as I tend to use a lot of earth tones, it usually doesn't hurt my work too much.

I'm due for a trip to an art supply store. Unfortunately, the closest "affordable" shop (and I say that loosely, because I only go, coupon in-hand) is Michaels, which is really a craft store.

Not looking too bad in the paint department 

Are you ever looking for a pencil and all you find are the little 'nubs?

I need some new pencils. I have no idea where they wander off to, because I swear I just purchased a bunch not long ago. Also, HB? This must be an old guy, because as of late it's been H all the way!

A major pet peeve of mine is sharpening a pencil and the "lead" breaks. 

Sharpen, break. Sharpen, break. Just when I think I've got a great, sharp tip - - it falls out or breaks off, and then all of a sudden a perfectly new pencil is more than halfway gone and I haven't even used it yet! 

Have any of you returned a pencil for this reason? I'm thinking the next time it happens I'll bring the little 'nub back and complain. 

Can you imagine? LOL.

My fave three, getting a bit scruffy

Speaking of sharp tips...My fave three paintbrushes are starting to lose their tight, smooth bristles. They're getting a little scruffy. 

Heaven knows, you can't get sharp details with a scruffy brush. So, I will have to retire these guys to my brush box. 

I'm accumulating old brushes that are slightly worn, but I don't have the heart to let my kids use them, because I don't want them to be totally demolished.  I keep thinking, I'll use them again, but unless I get more painterly and less "tight" with my work, they'll have to stay in hibernation for a while. 

One of many vases of found feathers

As for tonight, I'm going to try to get some more feather studies done!

What basic supplies do you use for your work?