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So many choices, so many brands. Where to begin and which is best for you?
One of the wonderful things about watercolor painting is there are so many options to choose from. And I've enjoyed trying many of them. But each artist will find their own favorites and reliable go-to preferences for painting at home, outdoors, in class or while traveling. If you're a beginner or looking for something new, try a Google or YouTube search to learn the pros and cons of each watercolor medium before buying.
My two favorite supplies are a small travel pan set and a few watercolor pencils. They're portable and require only a small water container, and three basic brushes. It gives me the option of painting at home, outdoors or while travelling. My pan set is a Windsor Newton 12-color portable set. I currently have the professional version. But I find the student quality Cotman set to be comparable to the professional set. They may not be as light-fast, but the paints are transparent, brilliant in color and are a bit more affordable on a budget.
I have a variety of brushes, but my most commonly used brushes are mid-price range Princeton and Royal Langnickel, sizes 8, 4, and 0. For washes I lean toward a Princeton 1.5 inch Mottler and Royal Langnickel 3/4 inch Mop. The Mop brush is also great for detailed lines, because of the narrow tip. Keep in mind though, there is no continuity in brush sizes between brands. So you can just look at the diameter of the bristles and choose what you like. Expensive brushes aren't always better than less pricey brands. And natural hair brushes are not necessarily better than synthetic brushes. The most important thing to consider, is to purchase brushes that don't lose bristles while you paint. I can say from experience they're not easy to pick out of your paint. If you do encounter a poor quality brush that sheds, it helps to let your paint dry. Then you can easily use your fingers to brush the bristles away.
As for watercolor paper, my favorite is Arches. But it can be pricey, whether you buy it in blocks, pads or individual sheets. If cost is a consideration, I've also had success with Hahnemule and Strathmore brands. My go-to for a portable watercolor journal is a spiral bound 6" x 9" pad by Strathmore. The most important tip I can pass along regarding watercolor paper is to choose 140 lb. (300g/m) weight. Some people prefer smooth hot press. Others prefer textured hot press or rough paper. It really depends on what medium you're working with and how you want you painting to appear.
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