Watercolor Resources
Watercolor Materials Guide (Amazon Edition)
A gentle, curated list of beginner supplies to help you start painting with ease and confidence.
Whether you're painting to reflect, reset, or simply play, watercolor invites you to slow down and let go. This guide is here to help you begin—no pressure, no perfection, just presence.
Paints: Good / Better / Best
Good | Prang Oval Pan Watercolor Set – 8 Colors + Brush | Ultra-budget-friendly and great for absolute beginners or kids. Bright, semi-moist pans in a classic plastic case. |
Better | ARTISTRO Watercolor Paint Set – 48 Colors + Metallics | A vibrant, budget-friendly set with a built-in palette and metallics. Great for experimenting with color. |
Best | Winsor & Newton Cotman Sketcher’s Pocket Set – 12 Half Pans | A trusted student-grade set with rich pigments in a compact, travel-friendly case.|
Start with what feels approachable. You can mix almost any color from a few primaries.
Brushes
Princeton Snap! Brush Set – Round & Flat (Set of 4)
Flavia’s favorite! These synthetic brushes are expressive, affordable, and perfect for intuitive painting. The short handles make them feel relaxed and easy to control.
Professional Artist Brush Set – 12 Brushes
A versatile starter set for experimenting with different shapes and sizes.
Start with a round size 6–8, a flat 1/2", and a detail brush.
Paper
Canson XL Watercolor Pad – 9x12", 30 Sheets, 140 lb
Flavia’s favorite beginner paper! Affordable, accessible, and surprisingly durable for a student-grade option.
Arches Cold Press Watercolor Block – 100% Cotton
Flavia’s favorite professional paper. Rich texture, excellent pigment flow, and stays flat ideal for deeper creative work.
Cold press is the most forgiving texture for beginners. Canson is a great place to start; Arches is a dream to grow into.
Tape
Flavia’s favorite! Gentle on paper, easy to reposition, and leaves beautifully crisp edges.
ScotchBlue Painter’s Tape – Low Tack
TSSART White Artist Tape – Acid-Free
Tape helps prevent buckling and creates clean, satisfying borders.
Masking Fluid & Remover
Winsor & Newton Art Masking Fluid – 75ml
Use an old brush or silicone tool to apply. Let it dry fully before painting and remove gently once your work is dry.
Optional but helpful:
Crafter’s Toolkit Glue & Residue Eraser
A soft rubber eraser that makes removing dried masking fluid easier and cleaner—especially helpful for beginners.
Optional: Palette & Extras
Meeden Porcelain Mixing Palette – 7 Wells
Easy to clean and perfect for mixing transparent washes.
Watercolor Brush Pen Set – Refillable
Great for travel or expressive brush lettering.
Keep one for clean water, one for rinsing.
A Final Note
You don’t need every supply to begin. Start with what you have, or what feels most inviting. Watercolor is about presence, not perfection. Let your materials support your curiosity—and let the process be enough.
Wet-on-Wet
Feel the flow
Wet your paper first with clean water
Add pigment and watch it wander, bleed, and bloom
Let go of control—this is water’s world
Good for skies, emotions, and that magical “just see what happens” feeling
Wet-on-Dry
Let your lines speak
Dip your brush in color and paint directly onto dry paper
The edges will stay crisp and true to your movement
Great for shapes, words, or layering later
Good for outlining, noticing, and staying present with your intention
Lifting
Reveal the light
While the paint is still wet, press a dry tissue or paper towel on top
Lift pigment to reveal soft highlights or dreamy textures
You can even do gentle lifting with a damp brush once dry
Good for clouds, petals, or symbolic softening—removal as a form of creation
remember: always have a cup of clean water, a round brush, and a paper towel nearby—these are your watercolor essentials for flow, control, and spontaneous texture magic.