My Materials. Part 1. The Holy Trinity.

What’s on my Pallet? I’m glad you asked.

I’ve had some people wanting some tutorial stuff and demos around techniques etc. I’ll be getting to those very shortly but in the meantime I figured that I’d show you all my materials and pallet.

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The holy trinity. PAPER    BRUSHES   PAINTS

Paper

I’ve tried 90% of the options out there and I’m afraid to say that there is only one paper that works for me. Arches. This just happens to be the most expensive option but realistically, I am a firm believer that if you want to progress with your work, you need to be fussy with materials. I would order them in this order of importance… Paper, paints, then brushes. I’ve settled into Arches 300gsm Rough paper in either natural or bright white. It takes a beating and a soaking and always dries pretty much flat. The texture is great for doing smooth washes to sparkling water and such from quick, strong dry-brush strokes. I’ve tried to save a dollar or two and in doing so have wasted money, time and paint on sub-standard rubbish. Don’t be a tight-arse, your work will benefit.

Paints

This is still evolving for me. While I’m 90% settled on a colour pallet, my preferred brand is still being decided. Firstly in regards to student vs artist paints, I’ve tried both and have come to the conclusion that while still not as important as the paper, there is a significant difference between the two. Artist grade paints seem to be a lot thicker and more concentrated so while they’re more expensive, you end up using less paint. Brand-wise, so far I have tried Winsor and Newton, Schmincke, Holbein and Art Spectrum. If I was to rate these ones, I’d go with Holbein. It is moderately priced and very rich in pigmentation and the colours seem to be true to what is expected. Art Spectrum is great value and have some great colour options but they dry out very quickly and get rather chalky and hard to control. Schmincke and W&N are great but very expensive. Holbein all the way!

Brushes

I’ve tried a few and while I’m sure that fancy brushes are fantastic, I just can’t justify spending so much cash on brushes where average ones can do a great job too. Synthetics have come a LOOOONG way. I use a few different brands but I find the Roymac Revolution Series very good value and they form my main brushes. I also use a cheap (Jasart) Taklon round, an Art Spectrum Rigger, a cheap and nasty fan brush and a 2 inch Hake. One day I will splurge and buy some Escodas but realistically, the middle of the road does a great job. Tiger doesn’t blame his clubs!

So as far as my pallet goes, here is what is on it at the moment but I’m experimenting a little

Cadmium Yellow

Cadmium Orange

Cadmium Red

Permanent Magenta

Alizarin Crimson

Burnt Sienna

Burnt Umber

Raw Sienna/Yellow Ochre

Cobalt Turquoise

Cobalt Blue

Ultramarine Blue

Neutral Tint

Titanium White WC

Titanium White Gouache

A few points of interest here. What colours take your fancy is entirely personal preference and there is no right or wrong. Some people swear against any greens and prefer to mix them separately, and I kind of agree but it is only as I’ve had no real luck with premixed greens in the past. If you can make them work, go for it. Neutral tint is used for darkening the tones of an existing colour but should be used sparingly. It can overtake in the blink of an eye but is very useful for creating juicy darks.

Probably the most contentious issue in all watercolour snobbery is also the most ridiculous. WHITE!! Say what you will about not being “true to the medium” and “cheating”… it is RUBBISH! The end justifies the means EVERY TIME. Do not get caught up in this way of thinking. It’ll inhibit you and frustrate you. Don’t be a snob, get the results however you can. After-all, if it is good enough for Turner, it is certainly good enough for anyone else. Just use it sparingly. Even though it is great for highlights, they can overtake for sure.

So, I hope you’ve enjoyed my little rant on these essentials. Take from it what you will. It is all of course what works for me, and that may not work for you but yeh… give it a crack if you wish.

Next week I’ll discuss all the other little ancillary materials that I couldn’t live without. See Y’all then!

A few recent works.

Big Sky

Fields of Gold

Stuck