1. Watercolor Paints
- Student or artist-grade watercolor set
- Suggested colors (at minimum):
- Warm & cool versions of:
- Red (e.g., Alizarin Crimson, Cadmium Red)
- Yellow (e.g., Lemon Yellow, Yellow Ochre)
- Blue (e.g., Ultramarine, Cerulean)
- Burnt Sienna
- Payne’s Gray (optional but helpful)
- Warm & cool versions of:
2. Brushes
- Round brushes:
- Size 6 or 8
- Size 10 or 12
- Size 2 or 4
- Optional: 1 flat brush (½”–1″)
3. Paper
- 100% cotton watercolor paper preferred
- Weight: 140 lb (300 gsm)
- Options:
- Arches 140 lb. Cold Press
- Canson Watercolor Paper
4. Palette
- Portable watercolor palette with mixing wells
- Can be part of your paint set
5. Water Containers
- 1–2 lightweight containers (collapsible or jars)
6. Pencil & Eraser
- 2H Pencil and /or 2B Pencil
- Kneaded or regular eraser
🌿 Outdoor Setup (Essential for Plein Air)
7. Portable Chair or Stool
- Lightweight and easy to carry
8. Support for Painting
- Options:
- Portable easel
- Drawing board
- Plein air watercolor box
9. Paper Towels / Rag
- For blotting and brush control
10. Clip or Tape
- To secure paper in windy conditions
11. Sun Protection
- Hat
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
12. Water Bottle (for drinking)
13. Bug Spray (if needed)
14. Small Trash Bag
- Leave no trace outdoors
- Should fit all supplies comfortably
- Keep it lightweight—you may walk with it
✨ Optional (Great for Intermediate Painters)
- Spray bottle (to keep paints/paper moist)
- Masking fluid
- Travel sketchbook
- Water brush (for quick studies)
- Value finder or viewfinder
- Extra brushes for experimentation
- White gouache (for highlights)