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Are you new to watercolors and just want to know what supplies to use to explore and enjoy the medium?

In all my years of teaching watercolors, I have noticed 2 scenarios with the beginners:

• They buy very cheap supplies and struggle with buckling paper, chalky paint, and paint drying too soon on the paper, leading to patchy results.
  The process is so frustrating that they either feel they are not good at watercolors or that watercolor is a very difficult medium.

• They buy very expensive supplies and then feel scared to “waste” them. So they keep waiting for the perfect idea, perfect inspiration to create a masterpiece and rarely paint. I used to be one of them!
  In both scenarios, you end up painting less.

I agree that Supplies really do make a big difference in the Watercolor process!
But growth happens only when you practice and paint consistently!

That is why I recommend starting with budget friendly supplies which also perform reasonably well.
They help you learn, explore, and build confidence — without fear, guilt, or overwhelm.
So get the basic supplies that work, play freely, and enjoy the process. You can always upgrade later. 💛

🖌️ Basic Watercolor Supplies - Click button below for Quick List of supplies I recommend, with links

Read below to know why I recommend these supplies, my preferences, suggestions and tips : )

🧾 Paper

When you buy watercolor paper, the cover usually mentions the weight and texture.
Even if you’re buying student-grade paper, I highly recommend using 140 lb cold pressed because it handles wetness better and buckles less than lighter paper.

My favorites:

Canson XL 140 lb Cold Pressed Paper

• Great for practicing brush strokes, learning techniques, and doing simple projects.

• Student grade but performs really well for everyday studies.

Canson Montval Artist Series (9 x 12 inches)

• Ideal for techniques that use more water or layering textures.

• Feels sturdier and gives smoother washes.

🎨 Paint

I prefer to buy tube paint and squeeze out some of the color on to a regular palette. I let it dry and then use it like a pan set for regular painting. When I need more paint for bigger paintings, I ssqueeze out fresh paint. So with tubes, I get the best of both worlds : )

Winsor & Newton Cotman Series Tubes

• Vibrant, easy to blend, and perfect for beginners.

• Great for creating textures (like using salt!).

• I squeeze some paint onto my palette and let it dry — then reactivate it with a few drops of water whenever I paint.

• For larger areas, I just use fresh paint from the tube. You can also buy individual tubes online or in stores.

Winsor & Newton Cotman Pan Half Pan Set

• Compact and travel-friendly.

• Great for painting outdoors or on the go.

💡 Note: Student-grade paints aren’t lightfast, so if your artwork will be displayed, keep it away from direct or indirect sunlight to prevent fading.

🖌️ Brushes

A few good brushes go a long way!
Start with a couple of round brushes with good tips and one flat brush for washes.

Recommended sets:

• Zen Art Supplies Brush Set

• Princeton Heritage Synthetic Sable Watercolor Brush Set

Both hold water well and give you great control whether you’re painting fine details or larger washes.

💧 Other Essentials

• Two bowls for water
  One for cleaning brushes, the other for clean water to mix colors or wet your paper (for wet-on-wet techniques).

• Rag or paper towel
  To blot brushes, control moisture, and lift extra paint.

• Kneaded Eraser

  • Gentle on watercolor paper — regular erasers can bruise the surface, which shows through transparent layers.

  • Moldable, so you can shape it to lift specific areas.

• Masking or Washi tape

  • Use it to secure your paper to a firm surface and minimize buckling (when the paper ripples after getting wet).

  • Buckling happens when fibers swell unevenly, creating little “hills and valleys” that affect smooth washes.

🌟 Extra Supplies (Just for Fun!)

• Arteza Watercolor Round Pads, 6.5" Diameter (2-Pack)
  Perfect for creating fun circular pieces and experimenting with compositions.

• Hahnemühle Bookmark Pad
  Great for quick practice or making small, giftable art pieces.

• Spray bottle
  Handy for reactivating paints or creating texture effects.

• And most importantly… the mindset to explore and play!
  Remember: watercolor is as much about discovery as it is about technique. Let yourself experiment.