Brush, Paper, Paint: A Beginner’s Guide to Choosing Watercolor Materials

Starting your watercolor journey is exciting—but stepping into an art store or scrolling through online supplies can feel overwhelming fast. With dozens of brush types, paper weights, and paint brands, it’s hard to know what’s essential and what’s just extra. The truth is, you don’t need much to begin painting with watercolors. But choosing the right materials makes the process smoother, more enjoyable, and more successful.

This guide is designed to help beginners understand the core materials needed for watercolor painting and how to choose wisely without overspending or getting lost in technical jargon.

Brushes: What to Look For

You don’t need a full set of 20 brushes to begin. In fact, two or three well-chosen brushes can take you a long way. The most important things to consider are shape, size, and hair type.

Start with a good round brush—this is the most versatile for watercolor. A size 6 or 8 round is perfect for beginners. It can create fine lines when used with the tip and broader strokes when pressed. A flat brush is useful for washes and backgrounds, while a smaller detail brush (size 2 or 4) can help with precision.

When it comes to hair, synthetic brushes are affordable, cruelty-free, and excellent for beginners. Natural hair brushes, like sable, hold more water and paint but can be expensive. Many brands now offer synthetic-sable blends that mimic the feel of natural hair with a lower cost and easier care.

Choose brushes that bounce back to shape after each stroke and feel comfortable in your hand. You don’t need the most expensive brand—but avoid very cheap packs that fray or shed bristles quickly.

Paper: The Foundation of Your Painting

Paper is often the most overlooked but most important part of your watercolor setup. Watercolor paper is specially designed to handle moisture without tearing or warping, and it dramatically affects how paint flows and dries.

For beginners, choose cold press watercolor paper. It has a slightly textured surface, or “tooth,” that holds pigment well and is forgiving for most techniques. Hot press paper is smooth and better for detailed work but can be trickier to handle when learning.

Look for paper that is at least 140 lb (300 gsm) in weight. This thickness will help the paper stay flat when wet. Anything lighter will buckle easily, while heavier options like 300 lb are more durable but more expensive.

Try to start with 100% cotton paper if possible. It absorbs paint more evenly and lasts longer. If you’re experimenting or just practicing techniques, a good-quality cellulose (wood pulp) paper is also acceptable and more budget-friendly.

Watercolor paper comes in pads, blocks, and sheets. Pads are great for practice. Blocks keep the paper glued on all sides to prevent warping. Loose sheets offer the most control but need taping down.

Paint: Tubes or Pans?

Watercolor paints come in two main formats: tubes and pans. Both have the same pigments and can be used interchangeably, but they behave a bit differently.

Pan sets are compact, portable, and easy to use. You activate them with a wet brush, making them perfect for travel or casual sketching. They’re great for beginners because they last a long time and are simple to clean up.

Tube paints offer richer color with less water and are ideal for mixing larger batches or covering big areas. They’re slightly messier but give you more control over pigment strength.

No matter the format, it’s better to start with a limited palette of artist-grade paints rather than a large set of low-quality colors. Quality paints are more vibrant, blend better, and go further with less paint. Begin with a warm and cool version of the three primaries: red, blue, and yellow. From there, you can mix nearly any color.

Some great beginner-friendly brands include Winsor & Newton Cotman, Van Gogh, Daniel Smith (for artist-grade), and White Nights.

Other Essentials You’ll Need

In addition to the three core materials—brush, paper, and paint—there are a few other basic tools you’ll want in your setup:

• Water containers: Use two—one for rinsing brushes, one for clean water.
• Palette: For mixing colors. If you use pans, many come with built-in mixing areas.
• Paper towel or cloth: For blotting excess water and adjusting brush moisture.
• Masking tape: Useful for taping paper edges or creating clean borders.
• Pencil and eraser: For sketching light outlines before painting.
• Board or surface: To tape down paper or hold it steady if you’re working on loose sheets.

Buy Smart, Not Big

When starting out, it’s tempting to buy everything at once. But the most important thing is to begin painting. You don’t need a studio full of supplies—just a few reliable tools. Focus on quality over quantity, and allow your collection to grow naturally as you learn.

As you become more experienced, you’ll discover your preferences: whether you love fine detail or big washes, whether you prefer vibrant colors or subtle tones, and which tools feel best in your hand. Watercolor painting is a journey, and your materials are part of that discovery.

At Water Tint Studio, we guide our students in selecting the right materials from day one. Our courses are designed to help you paint confidently with what you have, and we always offer suggestions tailored to your budget and goals.