Watercolour 101: Lesson One, Don't Cheap Out On The Materials

By: edith dora rey ( View Profile - Contact )

Watercolour 101: Lesson One, Don't Cheap Out On The Materials

1)  Buy really good watercolour paper. Good watercolour paper is expensive but the results are worth it. Arches, Fabriano, Windsor & Newton, Whatman, Sennelier, etc.  There are so many good companies, some who have in the business for hundreds of years.  140 lb. or heavier is preferable.   If you screw up on one side you can flip over quality watercolour paper and use the other side, it's that good.   And good paper makes good paint sing.

2)  Buy really good watercolours.  Choose individual tubes of a reputable brand.  (Holbein, Stevenson, Sennelier, Winsor + Newton, Old Holland, Lefranc and Bourgeois, Grumbacher, Utrecht, etc. there are many.)  Don't waste your money on student quality.   Cheap watercolours look okay when they’re wet, but when they dry they look flat, lifeless and the results will  depress you.  You don’t need a million colours to begin with.  Start with alizarin crimson, ultramarine blue and yellow ochre, fool around and get the hang of them.

3)  Buy real watercolour brushes.  Good ones, like Isabey, Kolinsky for example and treat them well because they are expensive.  Start with a couple medium size ones and buy more as your skill develops.  Ask for bigger ones for birthday presents from your loving, encouraging friends and family.

4)  If you can, shop at an art supply store with quality merchandise and a knowledgeable staff.   Ask questions. You’re forking out big bucks for materials and if you’re happy with the results you’ll be back many, many more times.

	About The Artist
	edith dora rey ( View Profile - Contact ) ( 1 lessons, ) I'm a Montreal artist labouring diligently to make art that looks effortless, spontaneous+ timeless.