The Lazy Artist's Guide to Watercolour Supplies

Welcome to the new blog series: "Splash into Watercolours!" and "The Lazy Artist’s Guide to Watercolour Supplies: Only Buy What You Actually Need"

What we will be talking about in our first lesson:

• Hello! You Don’t Need To Be A Picasso To Paint!

• Watercolour Essentials: Paints, brushes, paper, and why the cheap stuff is OK for starters.
• What You Don’t Need: Fancy easels, a beret, or the approval of art snobs.
• Personality with Paint: Comparing different types of paint (tubes vs. pans) 
• Paper Talk: Explaining the difference between hot-pressed, cold-pressed, and rough paper in plain English. 
• First Project: "Testing the Waters" – try out your supplies by playing with basic strokes and mixing colours. Mistakes welcome. In fact, they are encouraged! 

Welcome to the Watercolour Wonderland: You Don’t Need to be a Picasso to Paint!

Welcome to your new favourite spot on the internet, here with me, playing. What’s not to like about that? We’re about to dive headfirst into the magical, messy world of watercolour painting where I am going to show you the darker side of neatness.  Things are going to get dirty, untidy, ridiculous and downright entertaining. I will free you of your rigidness until you feel like a party reveller with three margarita’s under their belt throwing caution to the wind! Or, maybe, paint to paper. Now, before you start thinking, “But I can’t even draw a straight line,” let me stop you right there. This is not about perfection. Watercolour is all about letting loose, embracing the unexpected, and, most importantly, having fun, fun, fun til someone take the paper away….

The Lazy Artist’s Guide to Watercolour Supplies: Only Buy What You Actually Need

So, you’ve got your mind ready to dive into the colourful world of watercolour. But before you sprint to the nearest art store, throw your purse at the counter and buy everything in sight, let’s take a moment. The truth is, you really don’t need to buy every fancy high-end art tool out there. In fact, a lot of it will sit in a drawer gathering dust while you continue using your three favourite brushes. I know this. 

This guide is all about keeping it simple, affordable, and (most importantly) lazy. So, let’s talk supplies!

Watercolour Essentials: What You Actually Need…

Here’s a secret: watercolour painting doesn’t require a suitcase full of expensive gear. In fact, you can get by with just a few key items to get started.

1. Watercolour Paints

You don’t need the £200 professional set with 50 different shades of green. Start with a basic, affordable set of pans or tubes with primary colours “Red, Blue, Yellow” (plus a few extras if you’re feeling adventurous). Most sets come with enough variety to mix and match. Besides, half the fun is seeing what random colours you can create when you accidentally mix too much water with your paints!

Quick Tip: Pans vs. tubes? Pans are great if you’re just getting started—less messy and portable. Tubes are perfect if you like to feel fancy, but they can be trickier for beginners. Choose what works for your vibe.

2. Brushes

Now, you might think you need an entire army of brushes, each with a different purpose. But here’s the truth: you really only need three types to begin with. Yes, just three!

• A round brush (size 6 or 8) for most of your painting needs.
• A flat brush (1/2 inch) for bold strokes or creating clean edges.
• A small detail brush (size 1 or 2) for those fine, delicate lines (though let’s be honest, we’re embracing abstract vibes here, so use this sparingly).

You don’t need brushes made from the finest squirrel hair. Affordable synthetic brushes are perfectly fine and no squirrels were inconvenienced!

OK - you can maybe have a big brush - a BIG splurrrrge on water, slap on paint, and be bold kind of brush. I have a couple: a flat one and a big round brush.  I usually end up using one brush throughout, so once you’re established, you’ll get to know your favourites. 

3. Paper

Watercolour paper is non-negotiable. Don’t even think about using printer paper unless you want to end up with soggy soup and convince yourself that you’re the worst painter in the world.  When it comes to watercolour paper, here are the three types you’ll hear about:

• Hot-pressed (smooth as butter)
• Cold-pressed (a little rough)
• Rough (really rough—like that beach towel you’ve had since 1989)

For beginners, cold-pressed paper is your best friend. It’s got just the right amount of texture to help your paint settle in nicely without soaking it up like a thirsty sponge.

And don’t worry about splurging on 100% cotton paper right now. Cheaper student-grade paper will do the job while you’re still finding your flow. Save the fancy stuff for when you’re painting your future masterpieces (or when you’re feeling extra indulgent).

What You Don’t Need (But Everyone Thinks They Do)

There’s a long list of things that sound like they’ll make you a better artist, but really, they’re just a way for art stores to cash in on your enthusiasm. Let’s bust a few myths:

• A massive easel: Sure, they look cool, but do you really want to stand at attention while painting? Use your kitchen table, your lap, or whatever flat surface is available. It’s all good.
• Every shade of paint: Remember that limited palette we talked about? You don’t need 12 shades of blue. In fact, it’s better to mix your own colours as it makes your paintings feel more you.
• Fancy palettes: A cheap plastic one will do, or even a ceramic plate from the kitchen. You don’t need a handcrafted palette unless you want to feel like a Victorian artist.
• Painter’s tape and rulers: We're embracing the abstract, remember? You’re not drafting blueprints here. Stick to cheap, low stick masking tape or washi tape. 

Personality with Paint: Tubes vs. Pans

Let’s dive a bit deeper into the great debate: tubes vs. pans.

• Pans are solid cakes of paint that activate when you add water. They’re great for beginners as they’re less messy and easier to control. They’re also super portable so you can paint anywhere: on a bench, at a café, or even on the train. 
  
• Tubes, on the other hand, are more like toothpaste but way more fun. Squeeze a little onto your palette and you’ve got a puddle of pigment waiting to be mixed. Tubes are perfect if you like mixing larger quantities of paint or need a more intense colour. Just be careful not to squeeze out too much otherwise you’ll have a colourful mess on your hands (literally). They are also great for creating texture.
  

Either option works and it all depends on your painting style and what you’ve got to hand. Just don’t overthink it. You’re here to paint, not fill out a personality test.

Paper Talk: Hot, Cold, or Rough?

Let’s break down the difference between hot-pressed, cold-pressed, and rough paper using my favourite analogy: sandwiches.

• Hot-pressed paper: Imagine this as your smooth white bread with no texture. The paint glides on smoothly, making it great for details. But for us abstract-loving folks, it might feel too controlled. A bit slippery.
  
• Cold-pressed paper: This is your regular loaf with a bit of bite and it has just the right amount of texture. Perfect for beginners and seasoned pro’s as it’s forgiving and lets your paint settle in interesting ways.
  
• Rough paper: This is like that artisanal crusty bread with loads of texture! Rough paper gives you bold, unpredictable results. It’s not for everyone, but it’s worth a try when you’re feeling adventurous.
  

Your First Lazy Artist Project: Testing the Waters

Ready to get your hands wet? Your first task is simple: play. Before jumping into a big painting, take your brush, water, (yes you need two pots of water - one for cleaning and one for wetting your brush) and paint, and experiment with different strokes and washes on your paper. Make sure you wet your pans first with a spray or a drop of water to loosen the paint. Try mixing colours, see how much water you can add before it starts turning into a swimming pool, and watch how the paint flows.

Here are a few things to try:

• Test your brush’s thickness with more and less pressure.
• Mix two colours and see how they blend.
• Try a wet-on-wet wash (wet the paper first, then drop in some paint) and watch how the colour blooms. Magical, right?

This is your no-pressure zone, so mess around! The point isn’t to create a masterpiece but just to get familiar with your materials. And if it all turns into a brownish blob, congratulations! You’re officially a watercolour artist.

Final Thoughts

So, there you have it—the essentials to start your watercolour journey without breaking the bank (or your spirit). Watercolour is all about freedom, experimentation, and letting go of perfection. You don’t need 50 brushes or 10 types of paper to create something beautiful. All you need is the basics, a little curiosity, and the willingness to embrace the unknown.

Now, go grab your paints and brushes, find a comfy spot, and start playing with colour! Remember: There are no mistakes in watercolour, only happy accidents.

Join me next week for “You don’t need a beret or a degree in fine art!” 

Where we will be looking at:

• Watercolour Myth-Busting: Dispelling common fears (e.g., "I can’t paint," "Watercolour is too hard," or "My dog paints better than I do"
• Encouraging Abstract Thinking: Emphasising that it's about expressing a feeling or mood rather than precise details. You’re painting impressions, not selfies.
• Second Assignment: "The Blob Test" – paint some random blobs, then turn them into something (or nothing—it’s all good here).

Love the idea of embracing imperfection and abstract art? You can see some of my own creations over at Jules Smith Art—where you can also pick up one of my watercolours for yourself! And if you’re looking for more daily inspiration, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and painting tips, come and hang out with me on Instagram: @julessmithshots. Let’s get colourful! 🌈