K I M B E R L Y R O U S H
Places to mail order from: Dick Blick Jerry’s Artarama Cheap Joes
WATERCOLOR IS A BEAUTIFUL MEDIUM. THE SUREST WAY TO MAKE IT NOT BEAUTIFUL AND TO FRUSTRATE YOURSELF IS TO USE POOR GRADE PAINTS OR PAPER. Student grade papers are OK for studies, to loosen up. I highly recommend 140 lb or 300 lb professional papers. I also recommend these for the practicing of washes, etc we will do in the beginning class. Do not use student grade paints. There are many cheap but wonderful brushes. If you are experienced with watercolor and love your supplies then use them.
PAPER BEGINNERS
I PREFER THE NEW BRIGHT OR HIGH WHITES SOME ARTISTS PREFER THE NATURAL WHITES The majority of professional artists using watercolor paint on ARCHES, SAUNDERS OR FABRIANO
I PREFER ROUGH TEXTURE. MOST COMMONLY USED IS COLD PRESSED. THERE IS ALSO SMOOTH HOT PRESSED PAPER, LEAST OFTEN USED.
I prefer to work on 300 lb paper but beginners may want to start on 140 lb. Some professional artists work exclusivley on 140 lb. The effects are different so it becomes personal choice. Blocks are more expensive but easy to use and you do not need to purchase a support board
1st OPTION: choose one ARCHES > PAD OR SHEETS OR BLOCK SAUNDERS > SHEETS OR BLOCK FABRIANO > SHEETS OR BLOCK
2nd OPTION: Select a variety of 22 X 30 inch sheets (or smaller if available in sheets) 140 lb rough and coldpress from Arches or Saunders. Perhaps a rough sheet from each also. The 22 X 3 inch sheets can be torn down into quarters or less. Artists are using Fabriano more and more but I prefer the effects on Arches or Saunders. Fabriano rough is rarely used. So maybe test one sheet of Fabriano cold press.
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PAPER CONTINUED If you already have a favorite paper, use that.
FOR THE SECOND WATERCOLOR CLASS Use the paper from your favorite mill or experiment with a new paper.
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WATERCOLOR PAINTS NO STUDENT GRADE To keep cost down just buy fewer colors, you can add colors later THE BRANDS I PREFER: GRAHAM & SENNELIER : There are many other professional grade paints.
3 BASIC COLORS NEEDED FOR BEGINNING class. 3 BASIC COLORS in GRAHAM 1 Azo or Bismuth Yellow 2 Pyrrrol or Quinacridone Red or Quinacridone Rose 3 I do not like phthalocyanine pigments but they are transparent. Ultramarine Blue is very transparent / Cobalt Blue semitransparent
OR
3 SENNELIER BASIC COLORS 1 French Ultramarine 2 Sennelier Red or Helios Purple 3 Lemon Yellow
FULL RANGE OF COLORS: EVERY ARTIST HAS THEIR FAVORITES: MY LIST IS: Ultramarine Blue, Cobalt Blue, Viridian by Graham, Cobalt teal, Raw Sienna, Raw Umber, Sennelier Red, Bismuth Yellow, Cadmium Yellow (still tyring not to use cadmium), Cadmium Orange (can select alternate orange), Purple Helios (can use Graham Quinacradone Rose), Quinacradone Violet by Graham, Burnt Sienna, Burnt Umber https://www.dickblick.com/products/m-graham-artists-watercolors/?gclid=Cj0KCQiA48j9BRC-ARIsAMQu3WQl_B7c55UyF- 2c3zFWoJB2uFs2DusuA-4-BKHAYhYwz7eUX5NvDgOQaAqvDEALw_wcB
Sennelier has two nice sets with a good selection of colors. This is cost effective to start. NO BEGINNER STUDENT GRADE SETS PLEASE. You will totally not enjoy it. I like the range of colors in their sets better than Grahams sets. https://www.dickblick.com/products/sennelier-french-artists-watercolor-tubes/
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SUPPORT BOARD
YOU ONLY NEED THIS IF YOU BUY SHEETS OF PAPER ALSO BUY BULL CLIPS
These boards are great with watercolor. Easy to clean. Foam core works also but cannot wipe clean. I hesitate to use wood boards since the acids from the wood would soak into wet paper. If you buy a pad that might be enough of a backing. https://www.dickblick.com/products/corrugated-plastic-panels/ You may have a plastic sign around the house that might work.
BRUSHES
The classic watercolor brush is from an animal trapped for this purpose. So depending on how you feel about that it might determine your choice of brush. I have found plenty of synthetic hair brushes I like and they are cheaper. I do have and use some natural hair brushes, both sable and squirrel.
You really only need one round brush to start with. A classic SABLE natural hair would be the DA VINCI MAESTRO size 8 or 10 or 12. EXPENSIVE!
Alternatives in synthetic listed below. Only need one round brush to start. To add to that, a large “mop” is nice. Next would be a HAKE, or a flat 1 inch or larger. I rarely use flats. I prefer cat’s tongue brushes but you can wait to try later.
ESCODA PERLA size 14 I recently watched an artist do large washes with a size 20 or 22 in the Perla. ESCODA ULTIMO MOP size 14 see below I also have this ESCODA ULTIMO ROUND in a size 22 for large washes.
THE PRINCETON NEPTUNES ARE CHEAP AND GREAT TO START WITH https://www.dickblick.com/items/princeton-neptune-synthetic-squirrel-brush-round-short-handle- size-16/ https://www.dickblick.com/items/raphal-soft-aqua-brush-quill-size-4-short-handle/
One of my favorites available in this set : this would be all you need to start https://www.amazon.com/Escoda-Signature-Brush-Cembranelli-Ultimo/dp/B00CM43HHU/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&key- words=escoda+ultimo&qid=1608168430&sr=8-1
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PALETTE
Yogurt container lids, white plastic plates, egg cartons all can be used as mixing palettes.
My favorite large white plastic palette is TOM JONES. I think Jerry’s Artarama carries it. Robert E. Wood & John Pike are classic palettes.
Folding plastic and metal palettes are good.
You can find plastic folding palettes for very cheap.
WATER CONTAINER > you need 2 one to keep clean
PAPER TOWELS, TISSUES, OR RAGS