SHARI BLAUKOPF MATERIALS LIST FOR WORKSHOPS PAPER AND SKETCHBOOKS:
Surfaces are so important! I use a variety of papers and sketchbooks for painting. My favourite sketchbook these days is a Hahnemuhle 100% Cotton Sketchbook (A4 size). I will be demonstrating in watercolor sketchbooks and occasionally on an Arches CP pad. Please use a sketchbook with good quality watercolor paper, as a mixed media book with thin paper will not allow you to achieve good watercolour results and you’ll be frustrated. If you are not sure if your current sketchbook is good, just email me. I have tried most books on the market.
I will also be bringing along a small sketchbook (5.5 inches x 8.5 inches) for value sketches. https://us.canson.com/artist-series-universaltm-sketch
PIGMENT AND PALETTE:
Any folding watercolor palette with spaces for pigment and a large mixing area is fine. You’ll also need a couple of small water bottles with reliable seals for your painting water. I like Nalgene bottles because they’re leakproof.
Here are the colors I generally use. If you already have colors you like, please use those. I use many brands of paint including Daniel Smith, M. Graham, Holbein and Winsor Newton. I prefer to fill empty half pans in my palette with tube colors (rather than using pre-filled half pans) since fresh paint is creamier and needs less water to be released, but if you have pans, that is fine as long as they are not dried out!
Note: You can use a small watercolour kit like this:
https://www.amazon.ca/Winsor-Newton-Cotman-Colour-Compact/dp/B00004THXH
ESSENTIALS (I use these often):
YELLOWS: Azo Yellow or Hansa Yellow Medium, Lemon Yellow, New Gamboge or Quinacridone Gold, Naples YellowBLUES: Cerulean Blue, Ultramarine, Cobalt Blue, Prussian Blue (sometimes I use Cerulean Blue Hue from Da Vinci) REDS: Alizarin Crimson (or Carmine), Organic Vermilion, Quinacridone Rose, Quinacridone Coral
EARTH COLORS: Burnt Sienna, Raw Sienna (or Yellow Ochre)
OPTIONAL (I use these sometimes):
Brilliant Orange, Turquoise Blue, Cobalt Green, Hooker’s Green, Lavender, Carbazole Violet, Black, Titanium White watercolor (I use this straight from the tube so it is never on the palette) or White Gouache for highlights.
BRUSHES:
I use a wide variety of brushes (both rounds and flats) but if you have one good travel round (#8 or #10) with a sharp point (synthetic or sable), you can paint most of your sketch with these. I also like to use a rigger brush for wires and branches (#3). Good travel brush brands are Rosemary, Da Vinci and Escoda. A water reservoir brush is NOT recommended.
My favourite flat brush is a Robert Simmons Sapphire S21 3⁄4” flat One Stroke
My favourite round brush is Winsor & Newton Series 7, #7, but it is very expensive and not necessary
GENERAL:
Mechanical pencil or No. 2 pencil (HB) pencil
Kneaded rubber eraser
White Gelly Roll Pen for highlights (unless you use white gouache)
Ink pens: I use a variety of Micron or Pitt pens, as well as a Platinum Carbon Desk Pen, but any fine
waterproof pen will work
A water-soluble pen for quick sketches like a Pilot Fineliner or a Pilot Varsity
Sunscreen, bug spray and a hat for being outdoors all day
Paper towels for blotting or spills
Bulldog clips
FOLDING STOOL AND EASEL:
I travel with a folding watercolour easel for demonstrations. If you have one, feel free to use it or work on your lap if you are more comfortable that way.
You should have a stool to sit on and a way to work comfortably on your lap if you are seated. Two suggestions for working on your lap are on my website (below).
TO SEE MY FULL PLEIN AIR SETUP PLEASE GO TO MY WEBSITE:
https://learn.shariblaukopf.com/p/my-favourite-plein-air-sketching-tools