Supplies

Welcome to Intro to Watercolor Botanicals!

Make sure you have the items from the bare bones list below for our first class. As is with anything, quality does matter in art supplies but don’t break the bank to start.

Just a few good supplies will go a long way.

If you already have supplies that are slightly different than what I am recommending bring those and hold off on purchasing anything new. We can decide if you need anything else after our first meeting. If you don’t have any of this and purchasing it is out of your ability, I will have plenty of extra with me. The goal is that you’ll have a good kit of basics to extend your practice at home.

Your short list is below, everything else you need I will provide at the first class.

Video

Short List

  • Watercolor Paper Sketchbook | We’ll use this for warm ups and technique practice. I will have plenty of extra paper for experimenting but it’s nice to have a spiral bound version for each lesson so you can review it at home.

  • Pad of good quality watercolor paper for final works | Trust me, get one pad of the good stuff, it makes a difference.

  • Tube paints in primary colors + green (if you already have a palette you love, you’re good, just bring that as long as it has primary options to pull from)

  • Size 6 + 12 round brush | We can be flex on this if you what you have aren’t the exact sizes and I will have a lot of practice brushes around but these two are a good start.

  • Size 10 filbert brush | Botanicals secret weapon!

  • A bag or plastic bin to keep your supplies in | A plastic bin will do - or there are so many fun ones on etsy.

  • A ceramic palette to put your paint in/on | I will be providing your mixing palette but you’ll want something to put your pigments on. A ceramic plate will do!

PAPER

Good watercolor paper matters more than almost any other supply. 100% cotton, cold press paper is designed to handle water slowly and evenly, allowing paint to move, blend, and settle beautifully instead of sinking in too fast or buckling. Cotton fibers stay strong when wet, which means you can layer, lift, and make adjustments without damaging the surface. Cold press paper has a gentle texture that grabs pigment just enough to create soft washes and interesting variations—hallmarks of watercolor. Using quality paper makes the learning process far less frustrating and helps your work look more vibrant and intentional, even as a beginner.

100% Cotton Cold Press Watercolor Paper Sketchbook | For warm-ups and practice

100% Cotton Cold Press Watercolor Paper Pad | For final work

PAINT

Good watercolor paint is just as important as good paper. Higher-quality paints are made with more pigment and less filler, which means cleaner mixes, richer color, and far less muddiness—especially important when working botanicals. Starting with a limited palette helps you truly learn your colors instead of chasing them.

For our basic botanical palette, we’ll begin with sap green, ultramarine blue, new gamboge and alizarin crimson. These three colors mix beautifully and teach you a lot about temperature, value, and restraint.

Tube Paints | Daniel Smith

BRUSHES

Watercolor brushes are tools for control, expression, and confidence. A few well-made brushes will serve you far better than a large set of low-quality ones. Good brushes hold water evenly, come to a reliable point, and respond beautifully to changes in pressure—making it easier to paint both delicate details and loose, flowing washes.

To start, I recommend three brushes:

  • Round size 6 – your detail and drawing brush. It’s perfect for stems, small leaves, line work, and controlled marks.

  • Round size 12 – your workhorse. This brush holds more water and paint, allowing you to create smooth washes, larger leaves, and confident shapes without overworking.

  • Filbert size 10 – ideal for botanical forms. The softly rounded edge naturally mimics petals and leaves, helping you create organic shapes with minimal effort.

With just these three brushes, you’ll be able to paint an entire botanical piece, from the lightest wash to the finest detail, while learning how brush shape and pressure influence your marks.

Consumer Grade Basic Sets

PALETTE

I will have a great tray for you to take your mixes to and from class for you to have but figured I’d give you the option of looking into all the fun options available for paint storage.

A good palette makes mixing clean, vibrant colors much easier. I recommend two options depending on how you like to paint:

• Ceramic palette (studio use): A smooth ceramic surface stays clean longer and is easy to wipe between mixes. The wells help keep colors separate, and the flat mixing area gives you plenty of space to blend subtle botanical hues.

• Travel palette (on-the-go): Lightweight and portable, with built-in mixing wells and secure lids to keep paint from drying out mid-trip. Perfect for painting outdoors or taking to class.

Either option gives you well-organized mixing space so you can explore color relationships with confidence.

Ceramic Palette

Travel Palette