What you need to get started
Watercolour punishes cheap supplies more than any other medium, and pigment quality matters enormously. The basic kit is still modest, though.
Winsor & Newton Cotman Field Set (12 half pans)
£25–30The gold standard student watercolour. Lightfast, mixes cleanly, available everywhere. The 12-pan set covers every colour you need for the first year.
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Winsor & Newton Professional Water Colour (tube set)
£45–60 for a starter tube setIf you want professional quality from day one: the pigments are richer and the colours stay true. Not necessary to start, but you'll notice the difference.
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Round brushes: sizes 4, 8, 12
£12–20 for a three-brush setThree brushes cover everything. Round brushes hold water, come to a point, and are versatile for both detail and wash. Synthetic is fine. Cheap flats are not.
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Watercolour paper (300gsm / 140lb)
£12–18 for a 10-sheet A4 blockThis is the most important purchase. Thin paper buckles and ruins the work. 300gsm cold-press Arches, Fabriano, or Bockingford won't buckle. Avoid anything under 200gsm.
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Two water pots, kitchen sponge, masking tape
£5–8Two pots: one for rinsing, one for clean water to mix with. A sponge for lifting wet paint. Masking tape to attach paper to a board and create clean edges.
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Where to buy (UK)
- Cass Art: Best UK art supply retailer, frequent student discounts, knowledgeable staff
- Jacksons Art: Professional supplies, excellent prices on Winsor & Newton professional range
- Amazon: Fine for paper and basic brushes; avoid Amazon-brand paints
- Local art groups: Many local art societies sell surplus supplies cheaply at meetings
Do not buy children's watercolour sets. The pigments are poor quality and the colours are inaccurate: they will teach bad habits and produce ugly results.
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What to learn next
Drawing from Observation
You don't need talent, you need to learn to see. Drawing from observation teaches you to put aside what you know and draw what's actually in front of you.
Linocut Printing
Carve a design into soft linoleum, ink it, press it to paper. Relief printing at its most direct: no press required, strong results from the first session.
Oil Painting: Getting Started
Oil paint is slow, forgiving, and luminous. Learn the medium's principles: fat over lean, alla prima, colour mixing, and paint your first still life in oils.
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