10 Watercolor Supplies Every Beginner Actually Needs

1. 100% Cotton Watercolor Paper

This is the one supply that changes everything. Cotton paper handles water beautifully, gives smooth blends, and keeps your washes from looking blotchy.

My picks:

• Baohong Cold Press 100% Cotton Artist Grade Watercolor Paper - I find it very economical when bought in sheets

• Arches Cold Press Paper - 100% Cotton Watercolor Paper - This is a bit on the pricer side. There is enough evidence that it is one of the best out there. Only Cons are it is expensive and has a peculiar smell.

• Baohong Cold Press 100% Cotton Academy Grade Watercolor Paper - It is perfect for practice and works very well. Its not like a pulp paper. I highly recommend this one. I use this for my everyday art practice.

• Blue Pine Arts Watercolor Handmade Paper - I have recently started to work on this paper. I love how it stay wet for long and helps with wet on wet soft blends.

2. A Few Quality Brushes (You Don’t Need 12!)

A round size 6, a round size 10, and a flat wash brush are enough for 90% of your paintings.

My picks:

• Round Brush - Silver Black Velvet Round Brush 3000S #10

• Round Brush - Silver Black Velvet Round Brush 3000S #2

• Flat wash - Princeton Heritage 4050W (3/4 or 1 inch)

• Rigger Da Vinci Colineo

3. Artist-Grade Paints (Especially for Seascapes!)

Start with primaries,they will help understand color theory and set great foundation for your watercolor Journey.

If you’re painting oceans, a good blue trio makes all the difference.

I use Indigo, Cobalt Blue, and Phthalo Blue in almost all my seascape tutorials.

My picks:

• Indigo - Rosa Art Gallery

• Payne's Gray - Winsor & Newton Professional Paints

• Cobalt Blue - Winsor & Newton Professional Paints

• Ultramarine Blue - Daniel Smith

• Phthalo Blue - Daniel Smith and Aquatone Artist Materials

4. White Gouache

For highlights, waves, sparkles on water — magical.

My picks: Dr PH Martins Bleed Proof White

5. Masking Fluid

Perfect for protecting your whites when painting crashing waves or bright sky edges.

My picks: Schmincke

6. A Simple Palette

You don’t need anything fancy — just something easy to clean with enough space to mix washes.

My picks:

• Meeden Ceramic Palette

• Pottery by Eleni

• Goodpress Ceramic

7. Paper Tape

To get beautiful clean borders and keep your paper flat.

My picks:

• Holbien Tape

• Art Tool Kit

8. A Water Jar (or Two)

One for clean water, one for rinsing brushes.

9. Pencil + Eraser

Just enough to sketch your basic shapes.

10. A Hairdryer

This is my secret weapon for quickly moving through layers — especially in my Oceans & Lakes course where timing matters.