Benable — create shareable lists of things you recommend!
E.g., products you love, local businesses, travel recs - you can add anything to a Benable list!
Ultimate Watercolor Supplies for Nerds
67
items This is for nerds, by a nerd. If you’re watercolor painting with bad supplies, you’ve already lost the battle. I don’t think quality has anything to do with ‘level’ of artist, and a lot of ‘beginner’ supplies can severely hinder the joy of creating. ...
Sections
10
Paint Brands/Sets
Physical Palettes
Paper and Sketchbooks
Misc Supplies (Tape, glue, pencils, etc.)
How-To/ Practice / Paint along videos
REDS AND PURPLES
Paint Brands/Sets
I’m not a traditionalist- I prefer bold granulating colors and will mix watercolors and other media if I feel like it’s right for the piece. Scroll down for specific watercolor color reccs!
If you’re just starting out, I’d say just get this. No thoughts, head empty, don’t overwhelm yourself kind of way. The colors in this set are perfect for learning how to mix, the difference between cool and warm tones, and stepping your toe into wate...
DANIEL SMITH Extra Fine Watercolor Set
These are what I use almost always. They are extremely pigmented, bold, granulate like crazy and super easy to rewet. They’re also the most bang for your buck- they have 15ml and 30 ml tubes that cost around the same as other brands’ 5ml. Watch In Li...
Da Vinci Artist Watercolor Paints
I love this set on their own for really dark and moody pieces.
Kuretake GANSAI TAMBI GRAPHITE 6-Color Set
Any beginner set that has pigment information is going to be leaps and bounds more helpful than one without. I used this palette for years and had a lot of fun with it. I loved the pink! It was around $25 when I got it, and worth that price.
Paul Rubens Solid Watercolor Paint Set, 24 Vivid Floral Colors x 2 ml Artist Grade Watercolor, Bulit-in Palette for Professional Artists, Beginners
I prefer the tubes to the pots, but these are incredible to learn gouache painting with. Studio Ghibli uses these for their background paintings. Be warned, they aren’t lightfast!
Nicker Poster Colour Paint and Sets
Turner’s acrylic gouache is extremely similar quality to Holbein (some colors are even better!) and their sets are extremely discounted if you keep watch. I think I got a 36 15ml set for $30. (I’d stay away from the japonesque sets, they’re gritty li...
Turner Acryl Gouache Paints
I don’t use gouache often but when I do it’s the Holbein intro set. You can get a ton of colors from this.
Holbein Artists' Gouache and Sets
I love the impressionistic textures I can get from these. They’re very opaque, and similar to gouache when you mix them. I’d recc going to the store and getting a few colors to start out with over the sets. I use a talenti gelato container to store m...
Caran d'Ache Neocolor II Aquarelle Artists' Pastels and Sets
These are my favorite watercolor pencils. They’re opaque, sharpen without breaking the lead, and look gorgeous.
Prismacolor Watercolor Pencil Sets | BLICK Art Materials
Physical Palettes
I prefer wells over half pans so that you can get your whole brush in there. I’ll leave a little room at the end of the well to have a space for mixing the concentrated color. Use a sewing needle to mix the paint into the well and not waste any! I or...
This is my travel palette because of the size vs amount of paint you can fit and amount of colors.
Mont Marte Airtight Watercolor Palette 16 Slot
This is my studio palette. Any plastic palette will require prep so you can see your wash pool properly without beading. This is really important for knowing you have the right color! Grab a toothbrush and toothpaste and scrub the whole thing for abo...
Mijello Airtight Watercolor 18-Well Blue Palette
These palettes come in fun colors and get the job done.
Transon Watercolor Palette Folding 18 Wells
This thing is massive and will take a lot of space on your desk, but if you have a collection or like mixing your own paints, it’s very fun to see them all at once.
MEEDEN 33-Well Watercolor Palette w/ Lid
This is useful for mixing a lot of a certain swatch at once.
Porcelain Watercolor Palette
This is my favorite ceramic plate to use as a watercolor palette! It’s a nice size and the imperfect circle inspires me to not be such a perfectionist. The neutral grey undertones help a lot with getting the right vibrancy.
8" Stoneware Plate
Paper and Sketchbooks
I prefer 140 lb cold press for just about everything, but cellulose is also lovely for single layer paintings. The texture of the paper will influence the final painting, so if you really like super smooth, transparent washes, go for hot press. There...
This paper and size just works for me- I really love the texture.
Strathmore 400 Watercolor Block, Cold Press, 9x12
My favorite paper in a wire-bound, hardcover sketchbook. Rip off the paper and there’s this faux reptile-esque vintage texture I really enjoy. You can put strips washi tape right on the cover to use later!
Strathmore Wire Bound Visual Journal, 140 lb CP, 5.5x8.5
I love the texture that this cellulose paper has, and it makes some pens waterproof!
Maruman Sketchbook
This is the perfect size to play around with and have fun. I’ll take a few sheets of these and a regular sketchbook when traveling.
Strathmore 5.5" x 8.5" 400 Series Watercolor Pad
I absolutely love this for bigger paintings. Since it’s a block, there’s no prep needed. I’d reccomend using a paper knife to slice your painting off when you’re done.
10x14 Legion Stonehenge Watercolor Block
Misc Supplies (Tape, glue, pencils, etc.)
Highly reccomend this so you don’t overwork your watercolor painting out of impatience (like me.)
Craft Heat Tool
How-To/ Practice / Paint along videos
I like to listen to people talk about painting while I’m painting, and here’s some of my faves. I’ve learned a lot from them!
This is how I learned the difference between cool tones and warm tones. Skillshare is worth it (for the free trial) if just for Denise Soden’s classes alone.
Create Your Perfect Watercolor Palette | Denise Soden | Skillshare
I’ve learned almost everything I know about pigments from Denise Soden of @inliquidcolor on YouTube, and I think you will too. Her voice is also very ASMR coded too
Tutorials & Demos by Denise Soden
Dr. Oto Kano is another YouTube fave of mine- especially for her watercolor brand comparison videos.
otokano
I learned a ton about process by watching Arleesha’s videos.
arleebean
Teoh does a lot of review and urban sketching videos, and it’s really refreshing to see how fast he can be.
Teoh Yi Chie
Pear Fleur is very inspirational to me. They just… do whatever they want and it’s gorgeous. Very calming and beautiful videography as well.
PearFleur
I love Heikala so much. They have a lot more short form process videos on their IG.
Heikala
I love Tori’s art and process and will rewatch them all the time, but they haven’t posted in so long ;-;;
Victoria Gedvillas
If you’re a sucker for granulation and PBk31, she’s for you.
Natasha Newton
Burnt Umber PBr7. A warm, smoother than most, chocolatey brown that rewets like a dream. One of the rare times Daniel Smith made it better imo.
Daniel Smith - Burnt Umber, PBr7, 5 ml
REDS AND PURPLES
Any warm and cool red’ll do, but these do fantastic. Purples are amazing for shadows, especially on portraits.
Red Rose Deep Quinacridone PV19 is a smooth, transparent, cool pink. It’s ever so lighter and pinker than permanent. Rose Quinacridone.
Da Vinci- Red Rose Deep (Quin) PV19 15ml
Quin. Red PR209 is a neutral, smooth, middle of the road transparent red with slight blooming.
Da Vinci - Quinacridone Red PR209, 15 ml
Cad Red Deep PR108 is a slightly pink, yet warm opaque red with some granulation. It’s the watercolor version of red lipstick.
Da Vinci - Cadmium Red Deep PR108, 15 ml
Da Vinci Red PR254 is THE fire truck red. It’s warm, bright, and transparent, with an ever so slight bloom.
Da Vinci - Da Vinci Red PR254, 15 ml tube
Alizarin Gold PR177 PY42 is a stunning warm orangey red. It’s smooth, transparent, and fantastic for mixing.
Da Vinci - Alizarin Gold PR177 PY42, 15 ml tube
Alizarin Crimson Quin PV19 is a stunning transparent dark cool red, slightly reminiscent of blood.
Da Vinci- Alizarin Crimson Quinacridone PV19, 15ml
Thioindigo Violet PR88 PV19 is a cool pinky purple, similar to Quinacridone violet but slightly less red and slightly more interesting. It’s very smooth. PR88 is a pretty rare pigment, and thiondigo is a fun word, so I chose it!
Da Vinci - Thioindigo Violet PR88 PV19, 15 ml
Da Vinci Violet PV23 is a very deep cool royal purple. It ever so slightly granulates, and blooms magnificently. I love to use it for mixing deeper cooler shadow colors.
Da Vinci- Da Vinci Violet PV23, 15 ml tube
YELLOWS
Green gold, my beloved. Lighten that baby up and it’s the perfect cool yellow (which is why it’s the only cool yellow here). I don’t really like yellows, but all of these are great.
Buff Titanium or PW6:1 is an opaque, ivory white, and I love it. It’s amazing for softening hues, skin tones, and soft, cloudy skies.
Daniel Smith Buff Titanium, PW6:1
Green Gold PY129 is my favorite yellow, and Da Vinci does it best. It’s a gorgeous cool dark chartreuse yellow that works really well for mixing skin tones and natural greens alike. A little goes a long way.
Da Vinci 15 ml Tube - Green Gold PY129
Cadmium Yellow Medium PY35 is a transparent, smooth warm yet not quite fake cheesy yellow.
Da Vinci - Cadmium Yellow Medium PY35 (CL), 15 ml tube
Gold Ochre PY42 PY83 is a sunny and glowing mixture that’s barely opaque and warm. I use this as my warm yellow earth tone, it’s good for anything.
Da Vinci - Gold Ochre PY42, PY83 , 15 ml
GREENS
Da Vinci Pthalo Green is absolutely stunning and I will stand on this hill forever. Besides these two, you might as well mix the rest.
PG7, or pthalo green is a transparent bright emerald green. Absolutely stunning. She blooms like crazy, layers, and mixes really well with anything.
Da Vinci - Phthalo Green, 15 ml, PG7
Perylene Green or PBk31 is a gorgeous neutral green black that blooms easily.
Daniel Smith - Perylene Green, 15 ml PBk31
BLUES
I love all sorts of blues, for all sorts of reasons.
Cobalt Turquoise PB36 is a unique light cool teal that granulates heavily.
Da Vinci - Cobalt Turquoise PB36 (CL), 15 ml
Pthalo turquoise PB16 is a gorgeous, transparent and very blooming teal. In a limited palettes, this is my cool blue.
Da Vinci - Phthalo Turquoise, PB16, 15 ml
Manganese Blue Mixture is slightly opaque cool light blue and granulates beautifully. A perfect spring sky. I love the mix this and Davy’s Grey will make. This uses a very rare PB33.
Da Vinci - Manganese Blue Mixture PB33, PB15, 15 ml tube
Cerulean Blue Genuine PB36 is a stunning neutral granulating blue.
Da Vinci - Cerulean Blue Genuine PB36, 15 ml tube
Pthalo Blue (PB15) is a staining deep cool (to neutral) blue. I keep it in my limited palette as a middle of the road blue.
Da Vinci - Phthalo Blue, 15 ml, PB15
Cobalt Blue PB28 is just gorgeous. A warm, granulating, slightly opaque light blue that lends itself to any warm summer day sky.
Da Vinci - Cobalt Blue PB28, 15 ml
Ultramarine Blue PB29’s granulation hits like a truck. A warm, smooth darker than cobalt blue that knows what it’s about.
Da Vinci - Ultramarine Blue PB29, 15 ml tube
Prussian Blue PB27 is a dark neutral blue that I think is lovely.
Da Vinci - Prussian Blue PB27, 15 ml tube
Indanthrene Blue PB60 is a deep inky neutral to warm blue that I just can’t stay away from. I tried to replace it after learning how fast it fades, but I can’t. If you stick your painting in a closet for a few months, it’ll go right back again (and thank goodness for that)
Da Vinci - Indanthrene Blue PB60, 15 ml
Indigo PB29 PV19 is a neutral transparent blue black mix that has never done nothing wrong. A true neutral good. It’s lighter than you’d think.
Da Vinci - Indigo PB27, PV19, 15 ml
Mayan Blue Genuine- I’m obsessed with this color. It has everything I love about Indanthrene Blue, only cooler, darker, and more lightfast. It’s like a vintage blue black ink.
PoemsAboutYou- Mayan Blue Watercolor
Payne’s Grey PB27 PBK6 is that girl. Indigo’s cool older sister. A deep and rich blue black that blooms ever so slightly.
Da Vinci - Payne's Gray PB27, PBk6, 15 ml
EARTH TONES
What does it say about me that I have the same amount of blues as I do earth tones on my palette? These are my all time faves.
Yellow Ochre PY43 is an earthy, opaque and granulating yellow. Daniel Smith’s version is my favorite because it’s not as granulating and heavy as other versions.
Daniel Smith- Yellow Ochre PY43, 5 ml Tube
Raw Sienna Deep PY42 is a transparent smooth earthy, yellow brown that has a very similar lighter tone of yellow ochre. Layering it makes a much darker brown, similar to new trees.
Da Vinci - Raw Sienna Deep PY42, 15 ml tube
Quinacridone Burnt Orange PO48 (RIP) is a siren of warm fall, hot apple cider, and sadness. I can’t not include it, despite the pigment being discontinued. It’s a gorgeous, warm earth color that granulates and blooms like leaves that stick in your mi...
Da Vinci- Quinacridone Burnt Orange PO48, 15ml
Burnt Sienna Deep PR101 is like a redder burnt umber. It’s the closest in shade to Quin Burnt Orange. It granulates, heavily blooms, and creates lovely skin tones.
Da Vinci- Burnt Sienna Deep, PR101, 15 ml
Terra Cotta (LR) PR102 is the smoother, more opaque, slightly redder version of Burnt Sienna Deep. I’d go for one or the other in a palette.
Da Vinci - Terra Cotta (Light Red) PR102, 15 ml
Brown Madder Quinacridone PV19 PR101 is an extremely warm granulating reddish brown.
Da Vinci- Quinacridone Brown Madder PV19 PR101, 15 ml tube
Indian Red PR101 is a warm, extremely granulating, and earthy red brown. PR101 is extremely versatile, and produces a staggering amount of different earth tone watercolors.
Da Vinci - Indian Red PR101, 15 ml
Violet Iron Oxide PR101 is the less granulated, cooler, purpley version of Indian red. And I love her.
Da Vinci - Violet Iron Oxide PR101, 15 ml tube
Raw Umber PBr7 is necessary. A cool, smooth, slightly granulating deep dark brown that lends itself heavily to any mixes you throw at it.
Da Vinci - Raw Umber PBr7, 15 ml tube
Davy’s Grey is a cool, extremely opaque grey mix that’s perfect for stormy skies, fields, and limited palettes. I like it with Pthalo Green (PG7), Green Gold (PY129), Cadmium Oxide Green (PG17), and Manganese blue mixture (PB33, PB15), as well as Raw...
Da Vinci - Davy's Gray, 15 ml PG7, PW6, PBk6