Watercolor Painting Challenge Day 1

Welcome to the Watercolor Painting Challenge! We are going to have so much fun while learning to paint.

Day #1: Gathering Your Supplies

Your first step is to gather your painting supplies, which we are keeping really simple and straightforward for this challenge. Essentially, all you’ll need is any small set of portable, adult watercolors, a water brush, a sketchbook with mixed media or watercolor paper, pencil, and pen. Watch the video below and find links to my suggested supplies below. The brands I list are only suggestions, you can use anything you feel comfortable with and is within your budget. But since I do focus on painting in the field, the water brush is a key component.

These supplies are naturally suited to being portable and easy to tuck into your daypack. They’re perfect for use at your local park, zoo, natural history museum or while traveling. I even use them when I’m on a plane, being compact enough to place on my seat back tray!

Watch the short videos below to get started: Supplies you’ll need and Setting up your supplies.

Supplies You’ll Need

These are the materials you’ll need for the challenge:

  1. A simple set of portable watercolors
  2. A water brush
  3. A sketchbook with mixed media or watercolor paper
  4. A pencil, pen (I suggest a mechanical pencil and a waterproof pen) and a paper towel

Below you’ll find my recommendations (with links to Amazon, though many arts and crafts supply stores will have similar items):

1) Winsor & Newton Cotman Water Colour Paint Sketchers’ Pocket Box (Best value at ~$20):https://amzn.to/2ufbvJg or the
Winsor & Newton Professional Water Color Compact Set (Best quality at ~$80): https://amzn.to/2NOnWEP

2) Pentel Aquash Fine Point Water Brush (large): https://amzn.to/2KHaHrG  or the Yasutomo Niji Water Brush: https://amzn.to/2NMQGOc

3) Canson Mix Media Paper Pad: https://amzn.to/2MVU9sp

4) Pentel Mechanical Pencil: https://amzn.to/2NvMthJ

5) Faber-Castell Pitt Artist Pens black fine: https://amzn.to/2LcOy0z

Setting up your supplies

The Water Brush

Your Assignment

  1. Gather your art supplies.
  2. Join the Nature Sketching Challenge Facebook Group and introduce yourself.
  3. Watch your email inbox for the next activity in your watercolor journey!