As an artist/tutor I am frequently asked by students which brushes, paints, paper etc should they use.

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I obtain most of my art materials from Jackson’s. I am also an affiliate member, which means that if you should decide to purchase your materials from Jackson’s, using the links below, I will earn a small percentage (with no additional cost to the customer).

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MY COLOURS

I use Artist grade Watercolour. 

Jackson’s Artist Watercolour Paints are very good and reasonably priced ~ https://tidd.ly/46cAAaq

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However, if you're on a tight budget, Daler Rowney Aquafine is a range of very good student grade colours. All colours in the range are priced the same, unlike Artist grade where some colours are more expensive than others.

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My main studio palette presently consists of 13 colours. However, if you’re just starting out, you don’t need to get all of these. In fact, of these 13 colours, there are 5 that I would call my ‘core colours’. I tend to use these more than others and it is quite possible to paint a good variety of paintings with just these.​

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My 5 core colours: Cobalt blue, Alizarin crimson, Burnt sienna, Indian yellow and Raw sienna.

The remaining 8 are: ​​​​Cerulean blue, Ultramarine, Opera rose, Venetian red, French vermillion, Raw umber, Lemon yellow and Quinacridone gold.

 

BRUSHES

I’ve used a variety of different brushes over the years, including sables and squirrel mops. However, synthetic brushes have come a long way in recent years and, for the most part, I use ~

Jackson's : Raven : Synthetic Mop Brushes : Series 528

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These are synthetic mops. They hold a decent amount of water, but they are also quite springy and return to their original shape. 

I use a large one, No.6, and a medium one, No.2. I also have a smaller one, No.10/0, for details.​

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PAPER

I mostly use two watercolour papers. They are Bockingford and Saunders Waterford and, in most cases, I prefer to paint on the medium textured surface, which is usually referred to as NOT. In the U.S. it is known as cold pressed. Both of these papers are made by St. Cuthbert’s Mill in Somerset.

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Bockingford is a very forgiving paper and is reasonably priced. 

Saunders Waterford is ‘the superior quality watercolour paper made by St Cuthberts Mill’.

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Both papers are lovely to work on. I buy mine as loose sheets, ¼ Imperial size (22x30in/560x760mm), which I then cut to size.