Over the last few years of hosting watercolour workshops, I often find that lots of my students are interested in working with watercolour, but just don’t know where to start. Many see it as an intimidating medium as they feel that they have less control over it. However I think that’s the beauty of working with watercolour. It’s about embracing the happy mistakes, and working slowly, not rushing.

Watercolour can be a really fun and relaxed way to learn how to paint, and you don’t have to invest in lots of expensive equipment to get started.

I’ve put together a quick guide to my Top 5 Materials to get started with using watercolour. This is suitable for complete beginners, or anyone that is looking for a refresher on what the best materials are for this medium.

Remember, every artist will have preferred mediums and brands which are personal to them. You can take recommendations, but you will need to try out and experiment with a range of materials to see which ones you prefer.

A watercolour workshop I hosted at Cass Art in Bristol. Image Credit:Faye Hedges.

Watercolour Paints

Watercolours come in both student and professional quality. If you are just starting out, you can use a student set like the one below to get familiar with the medium, and then progress to investing in more professional quality sets as you get more experience.

Winsor & Newton Cotman Watercolour Sketchers Pocket Box of 12 Half Pan

The Cotman range from Winsor and Newton is the student watercolour range, and they are a great starter set if you are new to watercolour.

These are the sets that I use when teaching watercolour workshops, and they have a comprehensive range of colours to work with.

This set is also great for travelling with and taking when you are sketching out and about as it includes a small travel brush as well.

2. Watercolour Brushes

Winsor & Newton Cotman Watercolour Short Handle Round Series 111 Brush

These watercolour brushes are a great all-rounder for watercolour painting.

I usually use a size 6 round brush when painting live, and when doing demonstrations at workshops.

This is also the brush that you will use at my watercolour workshops.

3. Watercolour Paper

Winsor & Newton Watercolour Pad Cold Pressed 300gsm

These pads of watercolour paper by Winsor and Newton are my go to option when creating watercolour artwork. I usually prefer cold pressed, which has a more textured finish, compared to hot pressed which is smooth.

4. Painting Palette

Loxley Plastic Circular Palette

If you're just getting started as a student artist, you don't need to invest in expensive painting palettes.

This simple plastic circular palette is great to use when painting in watercolour, and it's the palette that I use when teaching watercolour workshops.

5. Sketching Pencil

Derwent Graphic Pencils 4H

When I create watercolour paintings, I don’t spend too much time on a sketch before I start painting, and I often prefer to work directly with paint rather than sketching first.

If I do want to do a sketch before painting, I use a very hard graphite pencil.

Remember - the harder the pencil (i.e. H = Hard) the lighter it will seem on the page. This also makes it easier to erase.

If you're looking for softer graphite pencils for sketching - I would recommend a selection of B pencils i.e. B = Soft. So 2B, 3B, 4B, 5B & 6B.

Where possible I also try to visit stores in person so that I can test out products and colours, particulary if I just want to buy 1 pen or pencil.

I always recommend supporting your local art shop over ordering online, even if they are a little bit more expensive.

Cass Art - https://www.cassart.co.uk/
Jacksons - https://www.jacksonsart.com/
Bromleys Art Supplies - https://www.artsupplies.co.uk/
Art Discount - https://artdiscount.co.uk/
Pullingers - https://www.pullingers.com/
London Graphic Cente - https://www.londongraphics.co.uk/
Cowling and Wilcox - https://www.cowlingandwilcox.com/
Atlantis Art Materials - https://www.atlantisart.co.uk/
L.Cornelissen & Son - https://www.cornelissen.com/
Cult Pens - https://cultpens.com/
Stuart R Stevenson - https://shop.stuartstevenson.co.uk/

If you’d like to find out more about what materials I use as an illustrator and watercolour artist, you can also sign up to my mailing list to get my free 16 Page Guide to all of my favourite art materials.

You’ll also be the first to hear updates about my upcoming events and also the Flow and Flourish Watercolour and Calligraphy Retreat which I co-host with Jodie Rose Calligraphy twice a year.