Watercolor Supplies
Want to know what I use to create my paintings? Read about all the supplies I use below. Every section has links to purchase the exact supplies through my favorite art store: Dick Blick Art Supplies. Their prices are the best around and they offer free US shipping with orders $69 or more! Click below to start shopping using my affiliate link.
Professional Watercolor Paper
Hot-Pressed Paper: I love using Arches 140 lb. Hot Pressed paper for my pet portraits. The smooth surface allows me to use black micron pens to add details. I also find hot-pressed paper easier to work with after you scan it into your computer since you don’t have shadows appearing from the texture of the paper. For that reason, I also use hot-pressed paper when I want to create prints of my work.
Cold-Pressed Paper: I prefer using cold-pressed for my botanical art. The textured surface helps my paintings look natural and organic.
Watercolor Blocks: Unlike pads of paper that you need to tape or stretch on a board before painting, watercolor blocks are ideal for a painter who likes to paint very wet. The papers are glued together and will hold their shape while you paint. When your painting dries, you cut it from the block of paper.
Ampersand Aquabord: Do you want to paint on a hard surface? Then maybe aquabords are right for you! These boards come primed and ready to paint on. They come in a variety of sizes and will not bend or curl like watercolor paper. There are some differences compared to painting on watercolor paper, so I suggest testing out a few smaller sized boards first.
Professional Watercolor Paints
Daniel Smith Extra Fine Watercolors are excellent paints that will resist fading overtime. Although I create my own palette of colors by purchasing individual tubes of paint, you can also find pre-made pans of Daniel Smith colors.
See which colors I use for my Pet Portraits Here
See which colors I use for my Botanical Paintings Here
Watercolor Brushes
I’m not joking when I say that I only use ONE brush for all of my paintings- a Black Velvet round size 06. This brush holds enough water for large areas, but it also has a tip fine enough for details. I love my brush and know you will too.
These brushes are unique because you can detach the handle and use it to cover your brush bristles while traveling. Perfect for plein air painting, or for packing your favorite brush for a trip to the cabin.
Watercolor Accessories
Winsor & Newton Masking Fluid: used to keep the white of the paper white.
Painter’s Tape: used to tape your paper to a surface.
Kneaded Erasure: Use this to remove Masking fluid and to erase without leaving residue.
Sakura Pigma Micron Pen, Black, size 03: I use this pen to add sharp details or for my line and wash watercolors.
Ottlite Floor Light: Good lighting is essential. This is the brand that I use when painting in my studio.
Watercolor Palette: If you are creating your own palette, choose one that is stain-resistant. Porcelain is always superior.
Brush holder: Make sure to keep your brushes upside down as they dry to avoid handle rot.
Extra Fine Calligraphy nib: I use a pen and nib for applying masking fluid to my pet portrait whiskers. Use caution to not rip your paper- practice first.
Watercolor Colored Pencils: An alternative to paint, these watercolor pencils are great for traveling.
Hake brush: 2 inch: Hake brushes are perfect for wetting paper or large washes.
Practice Watercolor Paper: I like to practice in a spiral bound book. Fabriano is more affordable and is nice for practice or travel.
Good lighting is key
This phone holder also has a ring light built into the clip. This means that you don’t get any funny shadows when you take pictures or videos of your work. I also love that the phone clip swivels so that you can take videos in landscape mode. I film all of my SkillShare classes, Instagram reels, and shoot all of my product photography with this light.
And now you can get 10% of your own by using the coupon code: EMILY10 at checkout!