We provide ALL supplies for Art Camp, however, if you want to purchase your own supplies to use at home, this is Carol's basic Watercolor supply list.
Paper:
- 140 lb or 300 lb. cold press or rough made by Arches or Strathmore. (A large sheet can be folded and torn into smaller pieces leaving a deckle edge on all side.)
Brushes: Make sure they are watercolor and not acrylic or oil brushes
- Two rounds (different companies call them different things, just picture mine when you shop) approx. size 12 and size 6 (sizing changes by company, too, so make sure that one is larger for laying a large wash and one is smaller for detail.
- Two flats (I prefer these over brights) approx. ½ inch and 1 inch
- One rigger - size 1 or 2. (Make sure the hairs are ¾ to 1 inch long. Some companies call them "liners". )
- Stencil brush (inexpensive, found in the craft dept.)
Paint: non-staining transparent shades
One 5 ml. tube each of Winsor & Newton Artist Water Color (not Cotman as this is a student grade)
- Cobalt Blue
- Rose Madder Genuine (not Rose Madder Alizarin which stains)
- Aureolin Yellow
- Neutral Tint.
Other:
- Kneaded eraser (Do not use a pencil eraser on your watercolor paper. It will damage the grain of the paper and might leave a residue)
- Pencil
- Palette with cover or a white plate (cover with plastic wrap between uses)
- Small sponge (very absorbent)
- Plexi-glass or other stiff backing board to tape down 140 lb. paper. The plexi should be slightly larger than the size of your paper to allow room to tape it down. 300lb. watercolor paper does not have to be taped down unless you are using a full sheet and getting the paper very, very wet.
- Masking tape
- Paper towels, inexpensive, white
- Two small water containers or plastic cups (one for clean water, one for dirty water)
- Magnifying glass
Hint: To test your brushes to see if they are well made, dip them in water and flick the brush hard. If the bristles line up and form a nice edge on a flat brush or a point on a round brush it is good. Next, wet the brush and make several strokes with it. It the brush collapses after one stroke or the bristles start to spread it is not good. It the bristles spring back to their original shape after each stroke it is good. You don’t have to throw the “bad” brushes away. Later on they can be used for different techniques. But for a beginner, reliable brushes are a must.
Hint: If you did not tape your watercolor paper down and it buckled while drying it can be made flat again. First, let your painting dry completely. Second, turn the paper over and wet the BACK side of the paper evenly. Third, place a sheet of plexi-glass or clean flat material over the entire sheet of paper. Next, place a book or other heavy weight on top of this surface, completely covering it. Leave the weight in place to dry for several hours or overnight. When you remove the weight, make sure the paper is thoroughly dry. Removing the weight too soon might not prevent the paper from buckling again. If it is still wet/damp, put the weight back on and allow more time for drying.
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