Gouache supply list
9x12 or 11x14 watercolor pad
Don’t bring a regular sketch pad to paint in or you’ll be going to the art store at lunch. Watercolor pads (or book)Aquarelle Arches fine grain cold press is what I use most, Fabriano is good and cheap, Winsor Newton, Global art Fluid or similar.
Hot press = smooth surface, cold press = rough. I use cold press but either is good. It depends on your preferences and style. Bring both if you are unsure and made of money.
HB or 2B pencil and a cute little sharpener.
Set of Gouache watercolor paints. Basic array of warm and cool primaries (see list). Many brands have starter kits with everything you need.
Good brands are Grumbacher, Winsor-Newton, Royal Talens or similar. I use Holbein a lot, especially their grays.
Don’t get the acrylic gouaches (Acryla) unless you do so intentionally. Acrylic gouache is perfectly good, but regular gouache can be reactivated once dry. It’s really a matter of choice.
Titanium White (get the larger tube if you have the option)
Cad yellow light or lemon
Cad yellow medium or yellow ochre
Cad red light
Alizarin or similar
Ultramarine blue
Prussian blue
Burnt sienna
Black
Grays ( I use the Holbein grays, #1, 2, and 3 they are a great add to any palette.
If you can’t find these exact colors don’t freak out, just get a range.
I promise that once you get the hang of this medium you will thank me. I’m surprised it’s not mentioned in any of the Harry Potter books.
½” White artist’s tape (don’t bring the blue painters tape you get at Lowes, get decent artists tape)
Fine spray water spritzer (optional) Holbein makes them
Portable water container or Red solo cup.
Watercolor mixing tray. Look for a larger tray that has some mixing area.
I highly recommend this one on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004KJEWMY/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_.kSOCb6VBY1PN
Not expensive set of watercolor brushes, mix of flats and rounds.
Get the inexpensive variety bag o’ synthetic brushes from the art store if you don’t have any. Get a good selection of flats and rounds, synthetics or sables.
Angled palette knife with tapered end, you can use the same one you use with oil or acrylic. (optional)
Viva paper towels.
In the chance of an apocalypse or torrential rains, bring some photo reference of whatever interests you with the exception of grandchildren or puppies. The simpler the imagery the better. Choose reference according to your abilities. Iphone, print, or ipad…
We will mostly be inside, I don’t see a need to go out. And I prefer to work flat on a table but if you want an easel, you will want to bring one that is portable and designed for smaller pads of water color paper and not large canvases.