Wondering what Basic Watercolour Materials to buy and use? Do you want to keep it simple and without hurting the pocket book too much?! With these tips using a minimum of materials you can start off on the right foot with watercolours.
debiriley.com
I have each those 3 types of paper on hand for when I want to just have some watercolour fun and “play”… but my standard go to watercolour paper is Arches rough 300gsm.
Beginners watercolour materials pared down to the bone – 3 tubes of paint, 1 sheet of paper, 1 brush – makes learning easier, less initial outlay and better results, faster.
Paper: Arches Rough 300gsm (100% cotton paper) 100% cotton paper is really a necessity for the absolute beginner in my opinion. This paper never lets anyone down. This is the paper that will allow for mistakes, permit scrubbing, will easily lift paint mistakes off, provide you with a lovely surface front side and backside to paint on (specifically Arches Rough) which you could…. . Rinse off; dry; and start again, using the specific 3 tubes of paint below.
Also, for more paper information you can go to the December 16, 2014 post on paper.
Paints:
These 3 Tubes of paint create 100’s of mixes. The “pb pv py” numbers are very important ! This lets you know with certainty that the paint is genuine and not a cheaper substitute that will not perform the task required.
Daniel Smith watercolours, Winsor & Newton or Art Spectrum: Cobalt Blue pb28 Permanent Rose pv19 Winsor Lemon py175
Brushes: 1 Brush a 100% Squirrel hair mop Rekab 320s #2 (Isabey, or Raphael, or Rekab, or Roymac, or Winsor & Newton) are all nice squirrel brushes – the Rekab is my favourite.
The Rekab 320s which is featured (front) in this photo comes to a super fine tight point. It has an excellent paint load carrying capacity, allowing one stroke of paint to glide and stretch across the paper beautifully.
You only will ‘need’ this 1 brush, it is that sensitive and versatile.
For more information on my suggestions for brushes see the December 13, 2014 post on Brushes.
debi riley 
I wish I could join your class in person. Do you make DVD’s or would you consider posting class notes? I really miss your flair and excellent teaching skills. I have have found no one to match you!
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Hi Debi,
Diane B. just emailed your web site to me.
‘Am so glad to catch up with you.
More later. (I just got the we got a get going sign from
my husband.)
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Hi Debi,
I do still have that Bird of Paradise painting. I will always remember the day with you as you made me paint fast and big and really open up. It was a very freeing moment for me! I will send you some of the things I have done recently, but in a bit. I am preparing for a party at our house this Saturday. Congrats on your painting selling at auction! Exciting news!
Best regards,
Diane
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