This post and video are from 2015, as I documented my initial forays into watercolor. This post has been updated as of 2021 with notes about what I have come to use, and opinions of some products discussed here originally.
I started in with watercolors last fall (2014), and have been trying to learn all I could from experimenting. Many of my readers have wanted me to make recommendations – and that’s so hard! There are so many brushes, papers, and paints, and much of the decision-making has more to do with YOU and what you plan to do with it.
This post is part of a series of three, and is broken into:
- Papers and Pan Paints
- Brushes
- Technique basics
Links to products are listed below each section.
The paper test was a labor of love! I have bought so many papers that I think I’m stocked up for a good long while. And yet…I still can say I love all of these for different reasons. And I won’t stop buying. I am a total paper lover.
Terminology
- Rough: the most-textured paper.
- Cold press: a textured paper, most popular.
- Hot press: smooth paper.
- Weight: papers come in 300lb, 140lb and 90lb; most use 140lb.
- Pads: Papers attached at the top only.
- Blocks: Papers attached on all 4 sides. (More expensive)
- Sheets: Full 22″ x 30″ sheets, cut to size you want
- Enhanced Surface Cohesion: takes more beating up without pilling
Testing Notes
I chose to do the paint tests on the pad itself, rather than taping it to a board; that was not because I didn’t know to tape them down, but because I wanted to test and see if some papers had more ‘curl’ to them after being completely soaked with water and paint.
As for paints – I chose to only assess pan (cake) paints at this time. I’m trying to find apples-to-apples things to compare, and bringing tube paints and palettes into the mix can muddy the waters, so to speak. (See Getting to Know Daniel Smith for more info on tube paints.) I kept the colors similar too, so there would be fewer factors to compare. And I did not include all the paints in the testing, I had to pick four to keep it easy to follow as I photographed everything.
Below the video I’ll give you my 2021 assessment of papers and pan paints after years of experience.
2021 assessment: Canson XL is a student grade paper. Techniques that work well on artist-grade paper won’t work here; lots of blooming happens on this paper. I still use it for things like stamping Art Impressions Watercolor since the stamping comes out clearer, and it can work well if you’re trying for blooms deliberately. Canson XL Paper: EH – BLICK
2021 assessment: I’ve never bought any more of the Moulin du Roy after this test; it performs much like the Canson XL and for more money. The rough is better than the cold press, but I didn’t find them to be good papers for me. The “satin” or hot press was really difficult to deal with as I worked through the last of that pad – so no more for me.
2021 assessment: Canson Montval is one of my tests of a block – but it’s still got a lot more blooming than I liked, and I haven’t bought any more of this paper after using up this block.
2021 assessment: While Fluid 100 papers (I only saw them in Blocks in my local art store) were far better as we move up the chain of quality, it never did end up being a favorite. Useable for sure, just not fantabulous.
2021 assessment: Fabriano makes some nice papers – though I wasn’t as much a fan of the edges I got as I used up the block. I was intrigued by its lower price, but that didn’t prove to be what I was looking for.
2021 assessment: the good stuff: Arches! I’ve now used it for years and it’s my #1 paper. This is artist grade paper and it’s very obvious in the way the paint moves – edges blend better, it’s easier to create beautiful edges. You can FEEL the difference – it’s softer and more velvety than the cheaper student grade papers. The rough is by far my preference now that I’m experienced; cold press is better for most people. The paper has ridges and valleys that help the paint move; think of it as pouring water on a carpet vs a linoleum floor – the linoleum will have hard puddled edges, whereas the carpet flows the liquid out in a nicer way as it works through the fibers.
Not tested at this time are papers by Saunders Waterford; I’ve become a great fan of their papers since I began this painting adventure; they only come in sheets or blocks, though. Price is relatively the same as Arches. Another I tried in 2020 is Winsor and Newton – those are almost the quality of Arches, and again comparable in price.
Recommended papers
- Arches Pads
- Arches Blocks
- Arches Bright White Sheets
- Arches Natural White Sheets
- Saunders Waterford Blocks
- Saunders Waterford Sheets
And now for paints!
2021 assessment: I’ve moved on to using tube paints almost exclusively now; while some of these paints tested are artist quality, I found I wasn’t a fan of the color selection in the artist sets, and they’re so small they don’t accommodate the large brushes I use. The craft quality sets are most certainly useable – but as I have learned more about these paints, I’ve not used them and even gave a lot of them away.
- Children’s paints: Crayola
- Artist grade:Sennelier
- Craft Grade: Sakura Koi sketchbox sets
- Craft Grade: Kuretake Gansai Tambi sets
- Artist grade:Windsor & Newton Field Box
- Artist grade:Holbein Palm Box
2021 assessment: After actually using these paints for more than the swatching tests, here’s my two cents worth:
- Children’s grade paints: fine to play with, but don’t expect them to do much in terms of techniques you’re trying to achieve. Even for Bible journaling these paints can be bad – SOME brands of Crayola and equivalent dollar store paints will bleed through Bible paper, so test carefully!
- Craft grade paints: The Gansai Tambi paints had a little more painterly edges, though the Crayola paints just smooth out whatever paper they’re used on, and colors do get muddy sometimes. It’s a bit of proof that we get what we pay for
- Artist grade paints: The sets shown here are travel sets – while I definitely pull them out when flying somewhere if I don’t want to cart my whole kit n kaboodle, I just don’t find these sets super useful. That doesn’t mean they aren’t good! Just that I’ve found things that work better.
If you’re into traveling and watercoloring, there’s a video all about tiny palettes you can use with your tube colors!
Watercolor Supplies I use in 2021
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- Recommended paper:
- Daniel Smith Tube Watercolors
- Palette:
- Spray bottle
- White artist tape, 3/4”
- Synthetic blend watercolor brushes:
- Natural hair watercolor brushes:
Where did you get your nesting watercolor cups? I would love something like that!
It’s here: http://salln.net/2hCS8Se
Very informative Sandy, thank you. I have several of the products you use and your videos help me learn how to use them.
Very informative videos. Thank you for putting this together for us novices.
I am sure that it is too late to ask this question, but what the heck.
I have heard other watercolor people talk about a “hardboard” being essential to watercoloring, but they do not go one to explain what one is or how it is essential.
Is it just a piece of Masonite? What do I use it for?
I wouldn’t say “essential” – but it sure helps me. I tape my paper down to it and it helps keep curling to a minimum. You can also paint hardboard with watercolor ground (a type of gesso) and paint directly on it. (Though I prefer paper…haven’t figured out a way to apply it that I like enough).
Thank you for answering! I looked on Dick Blick tonight and the hardboard wasn’t expensive but I have dealt with DB before and know it takes forever to get the order!
I guess I should just get the board and some drafting dots or tape from DB and practice my patience. I could always watch some Dr Who episodes while cleaning my art room out! That should take a month or so!
Thanks again.
PS if you ever want to possibly snail mail me one of your beautiful cards, I would love it and probably frame it like I did to a card Karen Burniston sent me 2 years ago. The problem is, I have no sneaky way to put my address into your address book!!
Weird—I don’t have trouble with Blick at all! I’m sorry you have.
I’m watching the watercolor video now – I noticed you were struggling to get the paint out of the Winsor & Newton travel set – it’s actually really easy… notice the little tab in the center above the paint, below the notch where the water holder goes? You just have to pull that towards the paint to unlatch the center, row holding the center paints – the side paints come out. To get the middle ones out, slide them up while it is unlatched and pull the out at the top. Hope this helps!
A few more notes: if you want the paint pans not to move around, try using a very small amount of removable wall putty (the kind used to hang posters) put under them to keep them in place. Personally I wouldn’t recommend the Canson XL paper; in my experience the paint tends to soak into the paper and spread (especially with thin lined designs). For example, if you are painting a stamped image, the paint may seep beyond the stamped lines. Good paper will allow you to lift paint more easily, will not absorb the paint so readily, and will not pill up when doing normal watercoloring. You may want to use a palette knife to separate the papers from the pads (blocks) rather than a razor (razors tend to cut into the paper sometimes).
Hi Sandy, I love your videos! Thank you for sharing your ideas and experiences. I wanted to mention that you probably shouldn’t lick your brushes – for several reasons. I’m not sure if you are actually putting them in your mouth (or if others are) but be aware that paints have chemicals in them, some hazardous. Also, getting germs in the brushes can transfer to the paint – wetting and rewetting the paint may cause them to grow and multiply, allowing mold and other nasties to form. Especially do not do this with tube watercolors since they don’t have the preservatives in them that pan watercolors do. I recommend purchasing a “leave in” brush cleaner/preserver like The Masters Brush Cleaner and Preserver (if your local craft store doesn’t carry it in their art department, you can get it at an art store or order it online). Of course, never leave your brushes in your water glass – the tips will bend and ruin them – just lie them flat on your work surface. My favorite brushes for watercoloring are sable or sable-synthetic. Quality brushes have great spring and hold a lot of water/paint.
Thank you so much Sandy for this great video series, it’s super helpful. I would love to see more videos like this! Could you do a video showing the brush included in the Holbein box in action? You said that is a really nice one so I would love to see you work with it.
I personally wouldn’t get the Caran d’Ache Museum Aquarelle waterbrush (I have this one). While it is the coolest looking waterbrush I have seen, it has some major drawbacks. First, the pumping mechanism only works if you press it really hard (I often have to take it into both hands to be able to push it), so it’s not very intuitive imo. Only very little water comes out at a time which might be to the advantage for patient people, but impatient me just ends up squeezing a couple of times -> water puddle.
Then there is the brush head which comes to a fine point but the brush head is very stiff so you can’t use the point, so I only use the “belly” of the brush head to paint.
The water filling mechanism works like a syringe, you unscrew the brush head and then you can pull up the water by pullying the end of the brush handle. It will only fill up to half the size of your now double the original size brush handle, so you need to turn the brush handle around and squeeze out the air, then repeat the water filling process. Again, not very intuitive.
Oh thanks for the heads up on that brush – it’s on my list to get and I still might, but now I don’t feel like I’m missing out 🙂
OMGosh! I have been having sooooo much fun playing with your AWESOME HEX CHART that I forgot to check the blog! I am sooooo excited that I won! Thanks Sandy!!!!!!!!!!!!! YOU ROCK!!!!
This is very helpful. Thank you so much for testing this out for us!
Thank you for sharing all your research. Your watercolor posts have inspired me to try some myself.
Thanks so much for sharing your talent with all of us. Good luck to the winner. donn
Thanks for doing the work for me. It would have taken me years before I thought of trying all the comparisons you have shown. Good job!
Thank you so much for all this information. I’ve really struggled to find good brushes. I’m definitely going to try the Silver brushes.
Thank you so much for all this info and everything you do for us.
Hi Sandy, I can make cards of any scrap of paper you put in front of me, I made 200 birthdays cards from the baskets of paper scraps I had all over my craft room for a local charity in 10 days, however I’m completely artistically challenged when it come to working with pens and watercolors. This is the kind of information I need to get some confidence that I’ll have the right tools to attempt trying to up my card making game. Thanks for the time and effort and money you put into bringing us this very valuable information. Well Done!!
I am so glad I read this before I placed my order at Dick Blick for all the supplies for your upcoming classes in California. Thank you!
Thanks so much for the in-depth descriptions of products. I’ve just started watercolors and the array of choices is unbelievable. I bought the St. Petersburg watercolor set and have been really pleased with them. I’m also curious about the peerless watercolors papers (paints) which seem to be quite beautiful to work with. Thanks so much for sharing; it is truly appreciated.
I never realized just how versatile watercolor is! And so many different brushes! wow!
I signed up for a watercolor class! You have inspired me to jump in and give it a try. I really appreciate these videos with your tested recommendations. With all the supplies that are available, it was almost impossible to figure out on my own which products to purchase. Thanks so much!
Such great detail…I so appreciate the time that you take to help us out! And it is so true about personal preference…I have had such poor luck with Canson XL. Strathmore 400 is my current go to paper but I have been playing with Arches as well. It really depends on how it is being used! Thanks again for sharing your talent!
I watched each video and was amazed at all the information. I have never taken a class in watercolor. I am clueless! Thanks to you, I now have a better understanding. I love watching you teach. You’re an amazing artist. As always’ TFS
Oh, wow! What a fab post chocked full of info. Thx!!! Bookmarking for future ref!
Hi Sandy. Thank you so much for all of this info. I have read a lot of it but decided to bookmark it for future reference. (I want to watch these videos soon. I have been trying to teach myself how to water colour for some time. I have bought good paper and need to invest in better paints/brushes but I CAN see some progress already. You are absolutely right, its the practice that will make the difference. Thanks again for the info!
Thank you so much for sharing your research! It is so great to be able to visit your blog and get the “real scoop” on different items we use in papercrafting! I so appreciate your honesty!
I pinned this as well, but WOW. So much fantastic information and amazing looking brushes. Great tips and video and ideas….eep. I keep seeing watercoloring and it looks so amazing. Suddenly I can see myself getting to that place too! Thank you!
The Black Velvet brushes look awesome! Thanks for the chance to win! So many great tips and ideas… anxious to try out some of these techniques!
Thank you for all of the work you have done on the comparisons, it has been extremely informative.
I am beginning to fall in love with water coloring. Another new way to create and have fun. Thank you for sharing.
thanks for all the work you have put into these videos to help us understand water coloring and the supplies better, I do appreciate it very much. I have dipped my hand into this media but am easily frustrated and I have learn so much from you thanks again
Wow! We are blessed daily with your talent and love for art. I have always struggled with a lack of confidence that I can make something beautiful. Quite simply put you have inspired me to believe in myself as someone who can accomplish art. Thank you.
My words for you are “quirky perfectionist”. Love your style!
Thank you Sandy for such detailed info. Very informative and much needed. You are a very talented lady and I hope that soon you will teach a class in Cleveland Ohio.
My word for you is …. INFORMATIVE! So love the growing and understanding that you have given me with my artsy projects.
Just wanted to let you know that I really appreciate all the work you put into this so I have someone to learn from that makes it understandable to me. Bless you and your talent!.
Wow! After these videos and instruction, I can’t wait to get going! Thank you so much!
So much information! That was great, thank you!
Thanks so much for all the info on watercoloring. Always love your videos!! I think your new name should be Color Strokes!!
Thank you so much for this. I found it on YouTube, and really needed the information. I am a total beginner, but have discovered that something happens to me when I play with color. And I like it! I really enjoyed your scrap-wrangler videos and found them really timely as I am in the process of setting up a craft room. I really love the idea of cutting papers into some standard(ish) sizes and getting rid of the rest. (Are ALL papercrafters hoarders?) Anyway, Thanks again.
Thi s is a awesome post! SO much great information for new watercolorists! Of which, I’m one. I’ve recently purchsed the Gamsai Tambi watercolors (LOVE) and a #4 round Black Velvet brush, all thanks to you and your blog! 🙂 It’s amazing what a difference a good brush makes. I’m still a novice, but, I hope to keep getting better. Thank YOU for all the informative videos/postings. And, for taking the time to document it all. Between you and Jennifer McGuire, my wallet is empty. LOL!
You’re most welcome! LOL!
I love that you are willing to do product reviews! You always provide helpful hints and are cost conscious. Thanks for the chance to win one of the wonderful brushes you reviewed!
Sandy! All of the research was amazing! Thank you for taking me on this journey to learn!
My all in-one teacher!
Wow ! What a compilation of information! I have saved the page so I can refer back to it often. Thanks for doing all this work .
So much valuable information in this post. Thanks Sandy
Eeek Sandy! Didnt know there was a generous giveaway until I read your email today regarding the one unique word that describes you….Thank you for the videos regarding watercolour (my favourite and most hated medium) I need to practice more to get it to even look like it hasn’t come out of the bin. I think I might just watch those videos again!