Cheap and Cheerful Supplies to Get You Started

 
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It’s true not all art supplies are made equal, however, not all cheap supplies are bad! Today I’m going to share with you some brands that I started out with and used for years before finally treating myself to some professional tools.

A bit of back story…

I used to not like watercolours. I found them difficult, washed out and frustrating. I also associated them with the faded prints you see at the doctor’s office or some waiting room like that. It wasn’t until I discovered Stephanie Law’s work that my eyes were opened to the incredible magic of watercolour. That’s when I dove completely into the world watercolour and had to get my hand on some supplies (on the budget of a 13 year old).

Here is my list of supplies that got me started with watercolour painting:

  • Reeves Watercolour Tube Set of 12

  • Plastic flower paint palette

  • Cheap store brand paint brushes, size 2 and 4

  • Canson XL watercolour paper

  • Canson XL Mixed Media Sketchbook

It’s a small list but it was all I needed. Oh, there were times when it was definitely a struggle, especially with the mixed media paper (I don’t recommend that now), but back then it was all I knew!

 

 

Now that I know more about watercolour supplies I definitely see the value in spending a little bit more. More expensive paint usually means brighter and more pigmented colours; better brushes last longer; better paper can handle more layers. That said, I also understand that it can be daunting to invest if you are still unsure that watercolours are the right medium for you.

Here is a second, broader list of supplies that are on the lower end of the price scale that won’t break the bank and still allow you to have a better experience with watercolours:

Paints:

  • Reeves Watercolours $

  • Traditional Chinese watercolours $

  • Royal & Langnickel $

  • Yarka $$

  • Winsor and Newton Cotman $$

Paper:

  • Canson XL watercolour paper

Brushes:

  • Royal & Langnickel brushes

  • Grumbacher

  • Basically any brush that doesn’t shed

Paint Palette:

  • Plastic palette from the dollar store will do just fine

  • Even better and just as cheap: a ceramic plate from the dollar store or Ikea (the cheapest one is around $1.25)

So you see, watercolour supplies don’t have to be expensive when you start out. In a side by side comparison you will definitely notice a huge difference in paint quality but at the end of the day, watercolour painting comes down to technique. I’ve seen an artist do amazing work with Crayola washable watercolours!

I hope this starter list helps!

Thank you so much for reading!

 

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