Supply List:

Please read this list carefully.  It is a very comprehensive list and is designed for you to use as a reference.  You are not required to have all of these materials.  If you are new to watercolor, begin with the “beginner’s list” and add materials as desired.

• PAPER: 

  • One Sheet Arches #140 lb of Cold Press WC Paper (at Blick’s in Sugarhouse)

  • One pad of student watercolor paper.  Preferred brand: Bee Paper Watercolor Artist Studio Pad 9 x 12 in.  This paper is inexpensive and can be purchased online or at Walmart.

• SKETCHBOOK

  A watercolor or multi-media sketchbook is highly recommended, but not required.  We will discuss the advantages of a sketchbook in class. You are encouraged to sketch as much as possible (~5 minutes a day) to help develop your artistic skills. 

• PAINT (beginners):  

  If you are new to painting and do not want to invest in a lot of paint, start with a kid’s set of Crayola or Prang Paints (DO NOT BUY OTHER BRANDS).  These paints are inexpensive yet full of vibrant colors.  If you decide to stay with watercolor, you’ll want to invest in more expensive paints. 

  I recommend purchasing tubes of watercolor paint.  Utrecht, Blick’s, Winsor & Newton, Holbein, and Daniel Smith are recommended as they are professional paints.  Winton and Van Gogh are acceptable but are considered student paints.  Artist’s Loft paints are not acceptable.   

  Some students have watercolors in “pans”.  These are dried colors that are already pre-loaded in a palette.  These are acceptable (if they are from a reliable brand) but you may need to supplement with some tube paints.  Again, Artist loft “pans” are not acceptable.   

  The following colors are suggested (you will probably buy more later).  This basic list is considered a split primary palette, which means a warm and cool of each primary color.  Hooker’s green, yellow ochre, and burnt sienna are add-ons. 

  Lemon yellow

  Cad yellow light or medium

  Yellow ochre

  Cad red light

  Alizarin crimson

  Ultramarine blue

  Prussian blue

  Hooker’s green

  Burnt sienna

• This more extensive list (below) is primarily made up of transparent watercolors.  I was first introduced to palette by artist Ted Nuttall.  His luminous portraits are created by adding thin, clean, transparent glazes.  If you interested in this effect, you may want to keep this list handy. Note that certain brands are mentioned. 

   H = Holbein, DS = Daniel Smith.  Others are Winsor Newton.  Tubes only): 

  Perm Alizarin Crimson

  Vermillion (H) 

  Scarlet Lake

  Brilliant Orange (H), 

  Winsor Yellow Deep 

  Aureolin

  Quin Gold

  Quin Burnt Orange (DS)

  Burnt Umber

  Hookers Green

  Mineral Violet (H)

  Inidigo

  French Ultramarine

  Antwerp Blue

  Winsor Blue Red Shade

  Peacock Blue (H)

• BRUSHES: 

  One medium (#8) and one large (#12 or 14) round brush. Optional: one #4.  I prefer Escoda Perla Torey white synthetic

• PALETTE:  

  Something to mix your paints on.  I recommend Mijello Fusion airtight watercolor palette (18 wells) or John Pike 10.5 x 15” watercolor palette.

• OTHER ITEMS:

  • Pencils: #2B pencils are fine.  #4H pencils are good for detail work.  

  • Erasers: A grey, kneaded eraser.  

  • Paper towels: VIVA blue paper towels are great, but any work well. Cotton rags can be used instead of paper towels

  • Tape: Masking tape to tape down paper.  White or cream colors are preferred.

  • Board:  Something to tape your paper on to.  No need to purchase an expensive drawing board.  Plexiglass, MDF board, Sintra boards, or gatorboards all work

  • A carry tote or box: to stay organized!

• Items to be discussed in class (do not purchase before class):

  • Easel:  Something that will give you a slant.  We can discuss this in class.  We have an inexpensive option available for purchase, if desired. 

  • Personalized paint chart:  In our Watercolors for Adults ongoing class, students should hand draw and paint their personal paint palette, once properly set up.  Make sure to write the names of each color on your chart. We can discuss this in class, but you will need to do this exercise at home.  It is advisable to laminate your completed chart. 

  • Personalized 7-square value chart:  This is another exercise that should be completed at home.  We can discuss this in class. 

• Optional:

  • Color wheel: Add it to your supply box

  • Gouache paint:  One tube of white, opaque gouache

  • Mr. Clean Magic Eraser (original):  to correct mistakes