Watercolor Supply List for Plein Air Painting
Supplies:
First decide if you'd prefer to sit or stand while painting.
Then choose a set up that works for you.
Easel
You need something to hold your painting surface. I use this easel for my oils and it can also double for watercolor when my paper is taped on a rigid board. Here is a popular easel for watercolors. Bring whatever set up works for you.
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Tripod
If you need one! I use a Manafrotto Be Free Tripod- link​
Get one that is tall enough for you if you are standing.
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Painting Chair (optional- there will be chairs for watching demos at the farm, but not to take with you to paint).
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Painting shelf or small table
If your easel set up does not have a shelf, a small folding table to hold your supplies is helpful.
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Plein Air Umbrella (optional)
I use a Best Brella which is now discontinued. I have not tried these, but they are popular with other painters:
https://guerrillapainter.com/products/shadebuddy
http://www.artworkessentials.com/products/products.htm
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Backpack
Any pack that fits all your things and is comfortable will do.
Palette
There are a lot of choices out there- many small and clever palettes for watercolor sketching. Be sure you have enough mixing space, and that it will easily clip on to your board, or fit onto your table. Here are two that I like because they don't leak if you pack up and your paints are wet:
Leakproof 18 well and Leakproof 33 well palette
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Watercolor paints
Bring whatever you usually use. These are my favorites.
Watercolors: (all Daniel Smith brand unless specified)
Cadmium Yellow Light Hue or Hansa Yellow
Quinacridone Gold, New Gamboge or Indian Yellow
Quinacridone Red
Ultramarine Blue Light (Holbein brand)
Manganese Blue Hue or Peacock Blue (Holbein brand)
Sap Green
Hookers Green
Sepia, Transparent Oxide Brown or other dark brown
Optional:
Goethite or Burgundy Yellow Ochre
Cascade Green
Payne’s Gray, Sodalite, Zoisite or other gray
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I like the Daniel Smith brand because it is high quality and it is manufactured in Seattle. I recommend you don’t buy Sennelier or M. Graham watercolors as they have honey in them and they don’t dry and will run in your palette. Artist grade paints have more pigment and create richer colors than student grade paints.
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6. Brush Holder
In a pinch you can use a cardboard tube from a roll of paper towels. Fold one end, put your brushes in, fold the other end. A better option: Art Essentials, folding, long or short handle versions - link
7. Brushes
You will need a small round, a medium round brush and a 1/2" flat or angled flat.
Rosemary brushes: This is a great family-owned company and you'll find high quality brushes for all mediums. Despite paying for shipping from England, their prices are very affordable.- Here is a link to a beginner set , an affordable larger set that mimics sable or this very nice sable set. These are affiliate links, and I get a tiny amount towards buying my own brushes, with no additional cost to you if you use these links. Thank you!
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8. Paper Towels
Viva - Signature cloth (the other Viva towel, Multi-surface cloth, has too much texture). Available at most large grocery stores or Amazon. Other artists use blue shop towels. Viva link
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10. A small clip - plastic clip or binder clip, for clipping paper towel to palette. Saves chasing after paper towels when it is windy!​​
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Charged Smart Phone
HAT with 2-3" brim
Helps you see color more accurately so you are not blinded by the light. This can make or break your painting session if you don't have one. Helps in sun, wind and rain!
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Extra clothes: Keep extra clothes in your car, so you are always ready when the weather changes. When it is cold: all your usual layers, plus fingerless gloves-one for my painting hand, I wear the latex glove on the other. Winter hat or Sun hat! Warm boots! Never underestimate how hot or cold you can get being in one place for 2-3 hours.
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Thermos
You won't regret this. This amazing thermos keeps hot drinks hot, and cold drinks cold for an insane amount of time! Both of which are really nice to have when you are cold or hot. It also locks so it won't open in your pack.
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Other
• Water/drink, snack bars and food. Painting takes a lot of focus and energy. Keep yourself refreshed. I have a pocket in my pack that I stash many snack bars in, just in case.
• Sunscreen and bug spray.​
