If you were using a minimal watercolor set up, what are YOUR go-to supplies? LMK👇🏻Don't miss my course The Art Within! We cover sketching and watercolor fundamentals, discover creative style, and how to get into "flow state" for optimal creative mindset. Check it out: www.jennarainey.com/the-art-within // If you want more monthly watercolor tutorials, I offer ad-free Patreon-exclusive tutorials and live art classes on my Patreon. www.jennarainey.com/patreon
I often paint smaller sketches with watercolour, and my go-to supplies are: a sketchbook with 140g slightly rough paper and 80 sheets from a Dutch discount store chain called Action, it holds up to watercolour surprisingly well and it only cost 2€. A water colour box from the Läufer brand with 24 colours, and it only cost 2,50€ at a 1€ shop and the colours are amazingly intense and very similar to real watercolour paints. On the go i often use a water tank brush with a smaller flat tip which comes from a set of multiple brushes and the set of 6 was I think 10-15€ from a private label art materials chain store. At home, I often use simple synthetic brushes, also from Action, there was a set with a folder for 4€, they have blue handles and sets like that without a folder aren't that cheap on Amazon. I only use the angled one, the larger sword, a larger round brush and a flat brush frequently I actually just wanted the folder and then was surprised that the brushes work so well, and there are some shapes like sword and angle that I didn't have before. I wouldn't recommend the brushes to a beginner because they don't absorb that much liquid and if you are inexperienced, they often give off too much liquid at once, and brushes like that also took the fun out of painting for me at the beginning.
I just have to say thank you for making all this available on the net. I was inspired to start with watercolor by you and am eagerly awaiting my beginning supplies so I can begin my journey. Your recommendations have taken a lot of the guesswork out and that way I can pick and choose what will work for me a little easier.
Love seeing Prussian Blue in a palette as I know many artists don't like working with this colour, but it is so distinct and once you get used to the granulation, it can produce some beautiful night skies.
I think it's more that folks are concerned about the lightfastness of Prussian blue which is not great. I love the color, but I stopped using it outside of my sketchbook for this reason.
@Nela Dunato True, there is some variability in how PB27 performs, but the modern pigment should (in theory at least!) be lightfast, although different artists seem to have different opinions about this. I haven't tested it myself but there are some artists who say that Prussian Blue actually recovers when taken out of the direct light source which may have caused fading... all of which is just to say that it's certainly an interesting pigment and worth any artist's own experiments :)
ooooh I haven't tried the princeton heritage brushes before, I love the neptune brushes so might have to try those! Completely agree that good paper is very important (maybe the most important part)
Thank you so much for your recommendations! I was using cheaper watercolor paints and I’ve just bought the Mairmeri blu tube paints and they are amazing!!
These paints do sound amazing but I would not consider them “budget friendly,” in my humble opinion. Especially for some one just starting out or still learning. Are there other more affordable brands you would recommend?
I recommend taking good care of brushes and washing them with simple plant soap, especially if they are real hair brushes because the soap moisturizes and keeps the brushes flexible and in good shape. The longer brushes last, the better for your wallet and the environment. Either synthetic hair that is made of plastic and a lot of energy is used in the production, which breaks down very slowly and is harmful, or natural hair that comes from animals and these break down faster and are not as harmful to the environment in the production, but for that Animals thy suffer directly for it, while it is more indirect with the plastic things and possibly even more animals and other plants suffer from it. Slowly, there will be brushes made of Plant fibres, instead of plastic and animal hair.
Seconding the Baohong Academy paper. Very much budget friendly, and awesome to work with. Double bonus, I haven't noticed a difference in quality between sides. Both sides of the paper feel the same to me and produce identical results when painting, so if you're just practicing or playing, no reason not to use both sides. If you're creating something to display, sell, or gift, then yeah, maybe stick to one side. Otherwise, use ALL the paper!
I just started on the journey of watercolor and found your videos so informative. I love the exercises you provide. I am busy “absorbing” your Complete Beginners Guide to Watercolor” video. Thanks so much providing this content, it is very much appreciated. I also bought your book “Everyday Watercolor” and should arrive early next week. I have just one question, Princeton Heritage brushes or even the Velvet brushes are not readily available in NZ, can you recommend an alternative?
I'm so glad my videos have been informative for you! For alternative recommendations, I'm not so sure availability of other supplies -- Princeton is typically readily available. Are you unable to buy them online?
@@JennaRaineyChannel Thanks so much for your response. I had another look and Heritage not available in NZ. I prefer (if there are other choices) to buy locally to support our art businesses. All not lost, I found Princeton Velvet Touch. The Princeton brushes that are most readily avail in NZ is the Snap and Select range. The more watercolor brush videos I watch seems to find a shoe that fits.
I think watercolour pencils and a water brush (that you can fill up with water) travel the best! For at home use the best tip I heard was to use the same brushes so that you get used to them. And if you buy quality brushes then you’ll only need to buy once 🛒 👌
Pigments that are the closest in hue to the graphic design primaries (in the 4-color printing process) are: PB15:3 Phthalocyanine blue green shade PV19 or PR122 Quinacridone magenta or Quin. rose PY175 Benzimidazolone yellow These can mix a wide gamut of vibrant colors. However this doesn't mean you have to use the same primaries as everyone else, it depends on your style and subject matter. As a portrait & landscape artist I'd rather choose a yellow ochre (PY42) in a limited palette because I rarely have a need for a bright yellow. If you enjoy bright reds and oranges, and don't care much for violets, a true red pigment like pyrrole (PR254) is better for that. Basically when it comes to painting, primaries are a very personal choice.
I am sorry but Prussian blue won't ever produce a purple with Permanent Red Light. I would suggest as a primary red from Maimeri Blu their Magenta or any other color you like on PR122 or PV19.
Hullo Jenna, I have mentioned house or store brand watercolor papers, just be sure to buy their 100% cotton choices! I am a newer convert to DaVinci professional grade paints and they have professionally curated palettes if your not sure about what colors you should get. They have different artists and they do different subjects and styles just a great way to start off with professional grade paints! Brushes are so personal, but synthetic brushes have come so far just in the last few years even the cheaper brands work quite well! I took a workshop and the instructor said that the only brush you need is a number 12 round large belly brush! So it truly depends upon how you work! You give a very good basic set in this video, thanks.
True. I fangirl DaVinci. They have, what, four ultramarine blues?! 😍 Denise's earth friendly palette was my first pro palette and I'm still in love with it. Hahnemule paper, Princeton brushes, and I'm happy
Thanks for all of your great tips! I'm finally going to spring for good paper. Would you recommend natural white or bright white? I'm just beginning, but am interested in landscapes, floral, and animals (mostly birds). Thanks!
Opera Rose from Winsor Newton equivalent would be Primary Red Magenta from MaimeriBlu as Jenna Discovers in her "I Swatched EVERY Paint (from MaimeriBlu) & Picked TOP 20 for My New Watercolor Palette". Quin Red is a more like mixing Opera Rose and Scarlet Lake from WN or Primary Red Magenta and Permanent Red Light from MaimeriBlu. Not the first time Jenna has got Primary Red Magenta and Quin Red mixed up
Hi Jenna. I find, for the beginner, Bockingford wood pulp paper is a good starter. It's made at the same mill as Waterford here in the UK. It's so much cheaper, too. What is your opinion, Jenna?
Let me disagree with you. Tgeed are other synth bristles way better than princeton, on the wearing time and the amount of water retained. Y but still, nobody csn compete with true hair bristles, not even in the same league.
If you don't want to be in the league where animals die to make brushes..... Jackson's Raven 000 mop has become my new round brush... a great budget cruelty free brush which holds lots of water and comes to superfine point.
If you were using a minimal watercolor set up, what are YOUR go-to supplies? LMK👇🏻Don't miss my course The Art Within! We cover sketching and watercolor fundamentals, discover creative style, and how to get into "flow state" for optimal creative mindset. Check it out: www.jennarainey.com/the-art-within // If you want more monthly watercolor tutorials, I offer ad-free Patreon-exclusive tutorials and live art classes on my Patreon. www.jennarainey.com/patreon
I often paint smaller sketches with watercolour, and my go-to supplies are:
a sketchbook with 140g slightly rough paper and 80 sheets from a Dutch discount store chain called Action, it holds up to watercolour surprisingly well and it only cost 2€.
A water colour box from the Läufer brand with 24 colours, and it only cost 2,50€ at a 1€ shop and the colours are amazingly intense and very similar to real watercolour paints.
On the go i often use a water tank brush with a smaller flat tip which comes from a set of multiple brushes and the set of 6 was I think 10-15€ from a private label art materials chain store.
At home, I often use simple synthetic brushes, also from Action, there was a set with a folder for 4€, they have blue handles and sets like that without a folder aren't that cheap on Amazon. I only use the angled one, the larger sword, a larger round brush and a flat brush frequently
I actually just wanted the folder and then was surprised that the brushes work so well,
and there are some shapes like sword and angle that I didn't have before.
I wouldn't recommend the brushes to a beginner because they don't absorb that much liquid and if you are inexperienced,
they often give off too much liquid at once, and brushes like that also took the fun out of painting for me at the beginning.
Love it 🥰 would like the waterbrush and some help with colours
You are such a generous artist and teacher, I am not surprised by your huge success. I love the intensity of Prussian blue.
I just bought the blooms brush it arrives tomorrow and im soooo excited. I caught a sale at amazon.
I just have to say thank you for making all this available on the net. I was inspired to start with watercolor by you and am eagerly awaiting my beginning supplies so I can begin my journey. Your recommendations have taken a lot of the guesswork out and that way I can pick and choose what will work for me a little easier.
You are so welcome! 💕
Love seeing Prussian Blue in a palette as I know many artists don't like working with this colour, but it is so distinct and once you get used to the granulation, it can produce some beautiful night skies.
Yeah love that intensity of the blue! At one point Prussian blue was Jenna’s favourite colour 💙
I think it's more that folks are concerned about the lightfastness of Prussian blue which is not great. I love the color, but I stopped using it outside of my sketchbook for this reason.
@Nela Dunato True, there is some variability in how PB27 performs, but the modern pigment should (in theory at least!) be lightfast, although different artists seem to have different opinions about this. I haven't tested it myself but there are some artists who say that Prussian Blue actually recovers when taken out of the direct light source which may have caused fading... all of which is just to say that it's certainly an interesting pigment and worth any artist's own experiments :)
My princeton brushes just arrived today. They are absolute magic, thank you so much for the recommendations!
Hi Jenna. Just ordered the paints you recommended. Plus bought expensive paper. Thank you.
wow.... so many of the colors you mentioned are not in stock on Amazon. So now I'm on a search!!
ooooh I haven't tried the princeton heritage brushes before, I love the neptune brushes so might have to try those! Completely agree that good paper is very important (maybe the most important part)
Good paper is a game changer!
Thank you Jenna 👍🙂
Thank you so much for your recommendations! I was using cheaper watercolor paints and I’ve just bought the Mairmeri blu tube paints and they are amazing!!
I am SO glad you love your MaimeriBlu paints!! I LOVE them!
These paints do sound amazing but I would not consider them “budget friendly,” in my humble opinion. Especially for some one just starting out or still learning. Are there other more affordable brands you would recommend?
Jenna, You have me doing floral watercolor painting. Thank You
I recommend taking good care of brushes and washing them with simple plant soap,
especially if they are real hair brushes because the soap moisturizes and keeps the brushes flexible and in good shape.
The longer brushes last, the better for your wallet and the environment.
Either synthetic hair that is made of plastic and a lot of energy is used in the production, which breaks down very slowly and is harmful,
or natural hair that comes from animals and these break down faster and are not as harmful to the environment in the production,
but for that Animals thy suffer directly for it, while it is more indirect with the plastic things and possibly even more animals and other plants suffer from it. Slowly, there will be brushes made of Plant fibres, instead of plastic and animal hair.
Paper wise I found Baohong - professional and their (Meeden) Academy - student paper great substitutes when you do not want to use Arches.
Great tip! Thanks for sharing!
Seconding the Baohong Academy paper. Very much budget friendly, and awesome to work with. Double bonus, I haven't noticed a difference in quality between sides. Both sides of the paper feel the same to me and produce identical results when painting, so if you're just practicing or playing, no reason not to use both sides. If you're creating something to display, sell, or gift, then yeah, maybe stick to one side. Otherwise, use ALL the paper!
I just started on the journey of watercolor and found your videos so informative. I love the exercises you provide. I am busy “absorbing” your Complete Beginners Guide to Watercolor” video. Thanks so much providing this content, it is very much appreciated. I also bought your book “Everyday Watercolor” and should arrive early next week. I have just one question, Princeton Heritage brushes or even the Velvet brushes are not readily available in NZ, can you recommend an alternative?
I'm so glad my videos have been informative for you! For alternative recommendations, I'm not so sure availability of other supplies -- Princeton is typically readily available. Are you unable to buy them online?
@@JennaRaineyChannel Thanks so much for your response. I had another look and Heritage not available in NZ. I prefer (if there are other choices) to buy locally to support our art businesses. All not lost, I found Princeton Velvet Touch. The Princeton brushes that are most readily avail in NZ is the Snap and Select range. The more watercolor brush videos I watch seems to find a shoe that fits.
I think watercolour pencils and a water brush (that you can fill up with water) travel the best!
For at home use the best tip I heard was to use the same brushes so that you get used to them. And if you buy quality brushes then you’ll only need to buy once 🛒 👌
I am trying to buy the 3 primary color paints but it seems there are multiple blues, yellows, reds,. Do you have the numbers you recommend? Thanks!
Pigments that are the closest in hue to the graphic design primaries (in the 4-color printing process) are:
PB15:3 Phthalocyanine blue green shade
PV19 or PR122 Quinacridone magenta or Quin. rose
PY175 Benzimidazolone yellow
These can mix a wide gamut of vibrant colors.
However this doesn't mean you have to use the same primaries as everyone else, it depends on your style and subject matter.
As a portrait & landscape artist I'd rather choose a yellow ochre (PY42) in a limited palette because I rarely have a need for a bright yellow. If you enjoy bright reds and oranges, and don't care much for violets, a true red pigment like pyrrole (PR254) is better for that.
Basically when it comes to painting, primaries are a very personal choice.
I am sorry but Prussian blue won't ever produce a purple with Permanent Red Light. I would suggest as a primary red from Maimeri Blu their Magenta or any other color you like on PR122 or PV19.
Hullo Jenna, I have mentioned house or store brand watercolor papers, just be sure to buy their 100% cotton choices! I am a newer convert to DaVinci professional grade paints and they have professionally curated palettes if your not sure about what colors you should get. They have different artists and they do different subjects and styles just a great way to start off with professional grade paints! Brushes are so personal, but synthetic brushes have come so far just in the last few years even the cheaper brands work quite well! I took a workshop and the instructor said that the only brush you need is a number 12 round large belly brush! So it truly depends upon how you work! You give a very good basic set in this video, thanks.
True. I fangirl DaVinci. They have, what, four ultramarine blues?! 😍 Denise's earth friendly palette was my first pro palette and I'm still in love with it. Hahnemule paper, Princeton brushes, and I'm happy
Thanks for all of your great tips! I'm finally going to spring for good paper. Would you recommend natural white or bright white? I'm just beginning, but am interested in landscapes, floral, and animals (mostly birds). Thanks!
Opera Rose from Winsor Newton equivalent would be Primary Red Magenta from MaimeriBlu as Jenna Discovers in her "I Swatched EVERY Paint (from MaimeriBlu) & Picked TOP 20 for My New Watercolor Palette". Quin Red is a more like mixing Opera Rose and Scarlet Lake from WN or Primary Red Magenta and Permanent Red Light from MaimeriBlu. Not the first time Jenna has got Primary Red Magenta and Quin Red mixed up
When should I use Gouche vs. watercolor?
Do they make a short handle filbert?
So excited about that filbert! My favourite is the dagger brush, I can do so much with it! 🖌
How does the MaimeriBlu paint work with Winsor Newton? They both have different binding additives, so do they blend and mix well?
Thanks friend
Jenna, I love the palettes you are using. I apologize if you've already talked about it. Where can I purchase them? Thank you!!!!!
Hey! It's from Sylvan Clayworks!
I don't see any affiliate links ... I wanted to check out brushes and other supplies you're talking about. Thanks Jenna.
its in her amazon store link which is in the description, :)
You can shop all of my supplies on my Amazon store! jennarainey.com/amazon
Nice water color
When do you think the no. 12 filbert will be available?
My video on it comes out tomorrow, it's available now! The link is in my Amazon store.
Hi Jenna. I find, for the beginner, Bockingford wood pulp paper is a good starter. It's made at the same mill as Waterford here in the UK. It's so much cheaper, too. What is your opinion, Jenna?
Wood pulp paper is an abomination! Save your money, then buy cotton.
Let me disagree with you. Tgeed are other synth bristles way better than princeton, on the wearing time and the amount of water retained. Y but still, nobody csn compete with true hair bristles, not even in the same league.
And where are these “Tgeed” bristles to be found? Nothing shows in google.
Thanks for sharing! I haven't tried them, but I'm sure they're great!
@@Kyomiibrown :D :D I think it's a typo "There are.."
If you don't want to be in the league where animals die to make brushes..... Jackson's Raven 000 mop has become my new round brush... a great budget cruelty free brush which holds lots of water and comes to superfine point.