Supply List

These supplies are recommended, but if you already have watercolor materials, you’re welcome to bring what you currently use — you do not need to purchase everything on this list. However, for the best learning experience with my techniques, I strongly encourage bringing quality Arches paper, good‑quality paints, and reliable brushes, as lower‑grade materials can make watercolor unnecessarily frustrating and may affect your results.

I will also have Arches watercolor paper available for purchase at all workshops for your convenience. If you’d like to buy a sheet or two from me, please leave a note in your comments so I can set some aside for you.

Arches Watercolor Paper Blocks

For convenience, many of these supplies are available on my Amazon storefront or Blick Art Materials links.

Paper

Watercolor paper varies by weight, texture, and size. I typically use Arches 18x22 Blocks or Hahnemühle rough watercolor paper, 14" × 18", 140 lb., cold‑pressed or rough (I prefer rough). These can be ordered online through Dick Blick, Jerry’s Artarama, Amazon, or Cheap Joe’s.

Recommended Paint

Below are the tube watercolors on my palette. Brands such as Daniel Smith, Winsor & Newton, Cotman, Holbein, Grumbacher, and Da Vinci all work well.Rhonda Smith Watercolor Painting Supply List
  • Blues — Cobalt Blue, Cerulean Blue, Indigo
  • Purples — Lavender, Lilac, Purple
  • Greens — Sepia
  • Yellows — Cadmium Yellow, Cad Yellow Light, Yellow Ochre, Yellow Ochre Gold
  • Reds & Oranges — Cadmium Red, Alizarin Crimson, Cadmium Orange
  • Browns — Burnt Umber, Burnt Sienna, Raw Umber
  • Others — Payne’s Grey or Neutral Tint
  • White — Titanium or Chinese White (I prefer Titanium)

Brushes

Synthetic squirrel brushes are recommended. I prefer Escoda brushes from Barcelona or Vladislav Yeliseyev’s brushes, both available online. You can explore more about Escoda brushes if you’re unsure what to choose.

Rhonda Smith Watercolor Brushes

Round #8 or #6; and a #12, #14, and a Rigger (also called Script or Liner)

Best Round Escoda Brushes: #12 or larger Round or #8 Squirrel Mop (also called a Quill Mop)

Watercolor Palette  

Water Container: large plastic cups, yogurt, or cottage cheese containers work well

Masking Tape

Pencil and Eraser

Drawing board: ¼” Plywood, Masonite, Gator Foam, or any stiff board 
Something to prop your board up with. I use a tissue box

Spray Bottle

Plein Air Easel

Napkins, tissues or wash rag

Hair Dryer for those impatient people like me.

Sketch Pad 

Water

Chair

Need More Information?

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