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Watercolours are another form of painting that can be used to create beautiful masterpieces. Learning to create watercolour paintings can be perfect for journaling, decorating, and even advertising, as you can scan and print them to make display as sign letters.
The art of water colouring can be very therapeutic and soothing. As a result, engaging in actively improving your watercolour skills and artistic process can both be incredibly satisfying, whilst doing wonders for your mental health. Every step is a step forward, and the process of improvement shows in your artwork each time you paint.
To get started on your own watercolours, you need to gear up with the essential tools to create your paintings. In this article, we will tell you six essential tools for watercolours. Let’s take a look.
1. Watercolour paints
Watercolour paints come in two forms: tubes and pans. Tubes are already of a moist and pasty consistency, while pans are like hard cakes of dried paint that need to be activated with the addition of water.
Many beginners need help deciding whether to buy pans or tubes. Thankfully, there are beginner sets available for both options on the market. Every artist has their own preferences when it comes to the type of watercolour paint they use, as it depends on what consistency they’re most comfortable with.
2. Paint brushes
Another personal preference is the paint brush you choose. Whether you wish to start with lighter, narrower strokes or thicker strokes, there are certain things to consider.
For example, if you were to make banners, you would likely need to use paint brushes with thinner strokes for details, and wider brushes for more flat applications of colour.
On top of this, the quality of the bristles will influence the results of your paintings. Artists recommended softer bristles made from sable or goat hair. Sable brushes allow more control over your strokes.
3. Watercolour paper
Now that you’ve got some equipment, you need an appropriate canvas for your paintings. As the name suggests, watercolours are activated by water, and as a result, will dampen regular paper.
This is why there is a specified type of paper dedicated to watercolour art pieces. You can find watercolour paper available in the form of sheets, pads, and blocks. They are also available as hot-pressed, cold-pressed, or rough. Most artists use rough or cold-pressed paper.
4. Water container
Cleaning needs to be constant to retain the colour and softness of your brushes. It is essential that you keep a clean glass, jar, or cup of water always at your disposal.
Ensure that you change the water often before it gets murky, or it can leave residue on your paintings.
A pro-tip is to keep two cups of water, one filled with water to rinse your brushes between painting, and a cup filled with clean water for dipping your brush. There are no dedicated cups required for this, and you can use anything available and dispensable at your disposal.
5. Graphite pencils
Some experienced watercolourists prefer to begin the watercolours without making any pencil marks. If you are working on a larger painting, such as a display banner, it’s a good idea to experiment with different sketches and designs until you get the desired results.
Avoid hard granite pencils since they can create a indentation on the surface that will influence your water colouring. Instead, go for softer, medium-grade pencils, which are easier to erase afterwards, leaving no marks or traces behind. Pair a pencil with a high-quality, soft eraser that won’t roughen or tear your pages.
6. Palette
A palette is only really needed if you opt for tube paints over pans. However, they can still come in handy with pan paints. Watercolour palettes come in ceramic or plastic, but ceramic is usually the better quality, advised option.
Plastic palettes may eventually become stained, but they are easier to hold, so it is up to your own personal preferences. When buying a palette, ensure that they have separate wells so you can mix the colours apart to avoid them getting mixed.
To conclude, there are certain essential things when painting with watercolours. Watercolour paints can be bought in either tubes or pans, so choose which one feels like the natural fit for you. Once you have chosen your paints, use a brush with softer bristles.
Buy a pack of 12 or 6 sizes so you can change the width of your paintbrush for either wide washes of paint of more intricate details.
Additionally, you will need your artwork to be on good paper that can take the weight of the water, so using specially designed watercolour paper is ideal for that. You can also make your work easier by using light graphite pencils to sketch and design your artwork before you get to painting, and a palette to mix your colours without making the paint murky.
Finally, for a water container, you can use any glass, jar, or cup available at home. We hope this article proves informative and helps you with your watercolour paintings. Thank you for reading!