I’d like to share some very basic tips that will help improve your painting practice, as well as ensure your creative experience is as enjoyable and successful as possible. Having a solid set-up at your workspace will circumvent so many potential issues further down the road so you can optimize your creative time.

I realize not everyone has ideal conditions to create, and some (like me in the beginning) may be painting on the kitchen table before getting a dedicated workspace or studio. But here are what I consider the 10 necessities for a studio setup, no matter where it is:

1.  Good natural light – If you don’t have windows in your space, consider buying a day globe that simulates natural light (available at most art supply stores)

2.  Clutter-free desk or table – This is actually pretty important to avoid distractions. It is difficult to create freely when you have to keep moving things or knocking over items that get in your way. It’s really nice to start fresh and clear.

3.  Tilting surface – This could be a drafting table, an easel or a support board to control washes.

4.  Water containers – You need one for first wash and another for the second rinse to keep colors clean. Remember to change your water often. Depending upon whether you are right or left-handed, set up your water and palette so you are not reaching across your paper and risking unintentional drips.

5.  Paper towels and sponge – Handy to absorb excess moisture and control proper brush loading.

6.  Palette – Get one with deep wells and plenty of mixing cells (or dishes) so you don’t have to keep remixing color halfway through your wash. I use a circular palette (like the color wheel) for easy mixing, positioning the complementaries opposite each other. This setup helps you to learn the color wheel like a keyboard, without having to think about the names of colors in full flight. It keeps your colors organized, with warm on one side and cool on the other.

7.  Brushes and tools – My watercolor brushes are a good mix of sables and synthetics – flats, rounds, mops and riggers. Each brush has a specific function. I also keep useful scrubbing type brushes in medium and large sizes for lifting color.

8.  Fine mist spray bottle – This is so helpful for wetting your palette to reactivate color, as well as fracturing or flooding color.

9.  The right paper for the job – For me, that usually means 140 lb. rough-texture (cold press) watercolor paper because it holds up against the abuse I give it. It also withstands being super wet and it can take many types of mixed media processes that I use. However, if your work is about fine details and lots of drawing, then I would recommend a smooth (hot press) paper instead. I generally use a pad in my studio and tape it to a timber or gator board so I can tilt the surface when necessary. For plein air painting, I use an adhesive block of paper so I don’t have to tape it down or carry a backing board.

10.  Paint – I use this selection of DANIEL SMITH Watercolors – 16 colors that I can’t live without. With this palette, you can paint just about anything under the sun. It has a good mix of transparent, opaque and semi opaque, warms and cools:

• Lemon Yellow
• Cadmium Yellow Deep Hue
• Quinacridone Gold
• Alizarin Crimson
• Opera Pink
• Cadmium Red Medium Hue
• Quinacridone Magenta
• Carbazole Violet
• Neutral Tint
• Moonglow
• French Ultramarine
• Indanthrone Blue
• Cobalt Blue
• Phthalo Turquoise
• Raw Umber
• Transparent Red Oxide

When you’re starting out, it’s a good idea to use a limited palette to achieve color harmony. Then later, you can start experimenting with more delicious colors like Lavender, Aussie Red Gold and Wisteria. Another favorite of mine is Lunar Black, for its crazy “crazing” qualities!

When it comes to purchasing these 10 necessities, I feel compromising on quality creates a false economy, especially if you are a beginner. You won’t get the results you hope to achieve with poor-quality paints and tools, and you’ll be so frustrated. Watercolor can be challenging enough without putting inferior materials in the mix, so please indulge and use the highest quality materials possible for your future masterpieces ~ you deserve it!