When I first started painting with watercolour, I used a cheap starter kit and paper. I got by with it but I began to feel frustrated by the fact I struggled with my paintings.
I could never get them to turn out like the tutorials I followed and it was all too easy to overwork the paper.
The starter kit I had was great for playing around with a new medium but I soon realised that it had its limitations. By this point, I was hooked by the beauty of watercolour and I knew that I wanted to continue to develop my skills.
It was time to invest in better kit. Something I did in stages.
Upgrading To Good Student Grade Watercolour Supplies
I first upgraded the paper I used. I can’t even begin to tell you the difference this simple step made. If I could give one tip to beginner watercolour painter it would be to invest in quality, 300gsm cotton paper from the start.
I also purchased the Cotman set of 36 watercolours* and, though they are student paints, they are truly brilliant. I also got some synthetic brushes* from Jackson’s Art Supplies, which were a huge set up from the brushes I had in my starter watercolour kit.
These supplies got me by for a long time while as I learned and developed my skills. Like many artists, as I became more invested in watercolour, I soon began collecting different paints to play around with and I tried out some different papers.
Deciding To Use Vegan Watercolour Supplies
As I learned more about the paints and materials themselves, I became aware of the use of animal ingredients in some of them. I had always avoided brushes with animal hair but hadn’t realised the paints themselves and the paper could contain animal ingredients.
On gaining this knowledge, I decided that I would only purchase vegan watercolour supplies going forward and I soon discovered my favourite watercolour supplies.
As a little tip before I share my favourite supplies, I like to shop at Jackson’s Art* as you are able to select ‘vegan’ as a filter option when browsing their site.
MY FAVOURITE WATERCOLOUR PAINTS
My absolute favourite watercolour paints to use are without a doubt Daniel Smith watercolour tubes. These are professional grade paints so they are expensive.
However, they are highly pigmented and are incredible to use. I feel my paintings stepped up a notch from simply using these paints! Many of the colours are granulating too, something that I personally love.
The majority of Daniel Smith watercolour paints are vegan as they use a synthetic binder.
The exceptions are Sepia, Payne’s Grey and Ivory Black. These colours contain the pigment PBk9, which I believe is derived from animal bone.
I prefer to mix my own black but I do have Sepia* and Payne’s Grey* in my palette. I purchase these colours from QOR watercolour, which are vegan.
My go-to Daniel Smith colours are Sodalite Genuine*, Ultramarine Blue*, Carbazole Violet*, Burnt Sienna*, Raw Sienna* and Permanent Alizarin Crimson*. Though I admittedly have an obsession, own many more colours and keep adding to my palette!!
My Favourite Watercolour Paper
I use Canson Moulin Du Roy 300gsm*, which is vegan.
I personally prefer to paint on cold-pressed paper but tend to use hot-pressed paper for paintings I know I am going to turn into prints for my shop. This is because I find hot-pressed paper is far easier to scan.
My Favourite Watercolour Brushes
I now use Da Vinci Casaneo synthetic round brushes*. I found they were a big step up from the synthetic brushes I had from Jackson’s Art. So much so, it took me a good while to get used to using them!
They hold a lot of water compared to my old brushes and they are beautiful to paint with. I have yet to invest in any brushes beyond the round ones I have but I am sure I will!
The Watercolour Palette I Use
I personally love to paint with a handheld palette and use the Cloverleaf Paint Box*. It has a central compartment for the paints, which can be removed and switched out. Plus, various deep mixing wells.
I also have the extra storage case with two trays for additional colours (since I have a growing collection of Daniel Smith watercolours!), which I purchased on Etsy*.
I adore this palette. The downside is that it is plastic so does stain and it is expensive for a plastic palette. However, it is a fraction of the cost of the ceramic alternatives!
Additional Supplies That I Use
Other supplies that I sometimes reach for are masking fluid and white gouache paint. Daniel Smith and Molotow both make vegan masking fluid. And I use permanent white designer gouache paint from Winsor & Newton.
I also use
I’d love to know what your favourite watercolour supplies are in the comments.
