Ever since I started creating watercolor maps (for my business Daisy Sue Design) it’s not uncommon for someone to ask me,
“What supplies do you use?!”
I love being asked that question for two reasons:
1. It means someone wants to start watercoloring!
2. It shocks them when I show them how cheap & simple the supplies are!
Though I could totally walk through the watercolor aisles in art stores forever,
the overload of options can quickly become intimidating!
Below, I’ve listed all of my favorite supplies & their Amazon links, so you can go ahead & start. I’ve done the trial and error part for you already, ha! Each of these products I use time & time again.
First things first, you gotta start with good paper when watercoloring.
Watercolor paper is very thick & textured. If you try & watercolor on thin paper, the colors won’t be as strong & the water will bleed through! Not a good look.
Strathmore Watercolor paper here is my personal favorite.
I typically use the 9×12 size & cut the pages down to 8×10. The scraps make the perfect practice pages!
Secondly, if there was such thing as a ‘watercolor secret weapon,’ it would be the aqua brush.
I use the Pentel brushes here. Believe me- I’m no art snob- but I would defintily purchase the Pentel brand brushes if you are thinking about getting into watercoloring!
These fellas allow you to watercolor anytime, any place. Instead of keeping a glass of water next to you while painting, these brushes keep the water inside & you squeeze to let it out.
Personally, I always use the finest brush tip possible. This keeps it easy to direct the color exactly where you want it on your paper.
P.S. These brushes are also great for watercolor lettering!
Okay, I know these Micron pens are technically not a watercolor tool, but they are forever inside my watercolor bag!
Every time I watercolor, I follow the same process.
Pencil. Black Micron pen. Erase. Watercolor.
Buying these would definitely depend on the type of style you want to create, but if you like a black line drawing look- these are the pens to get!
HERE is a good starter pack, which includes all the sizes.
For my drawings, I almost always use the 01 size, which is super tiny. I occasionally use the even finer tip, 005!
Okay. Now to the good stuff…the watercolors!
I always carry around two sets.
My cheap set by Artist’s Loft here & my mini travel set by Lukas, which I could only find here. It is the ‘Watercolor Travel Set of 12 w/ Brush’ set!
Artist’s Loft is the perfect place to begin, I use them every day!
The Lukas set is more expensive, which means the colors are much stronger. I’ve had mine for over four years now and have never had to replace a color. They last a long time!
I use the lids to mix colors together. I rarely use a color straight off the palette!
My sisters make fun of me because my watercolors always look a mess…I just think they are well loved! 😉
LASTLY,
I always carry around a paper towel to dry my brushes off & these mechanical pencils with this eraser! I’ve learned that a good eraser can sometimes save you from ruining a finished piece with ugly eraser marks!
Now you are ready to roll! If you have any questions, drop them in the comments, & I’ll happily get back with you!
Excited to see what you create!
Daisy Sue
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