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Happy Art Supplies

Hello Creative Friends!

Many of you have asked about the supplies I use in my You CAN Paint! Course

Here are links to products from Amazon.com
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Not all links qualify, but for the ones that do, I thank you for your support!


To succeed in Watercolor Painting, it is important to have good-quality
Paper, Paints, and Brushes!

"Quality In, Quality Out"


You only use a small amount of watercolor paint at a time so this recommended set
will last you well over 100+ Paintings.

Your brushes, if cared for can last you for decades!

Quality Paper will make a huge difference in the outcome of your paintings!

I use and demonstrate all of these supplies in our weekly You CAN Paint! Online Classes
​
Each item should open in a NEW Window.

Happy Painting!

Please reach out if you have any questions or if any links are broken or wrong
Thank you :) 
​

Daniel Smith Professional Watercolor Paint

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*** Daniel Smith Watercolor Essentials
I use this set exclusively in our weekly You CAN Paint! online classes.
https://amzn.to/4eql64Q
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Prang Watercolor Set - Inexpensive and good enough for beginning watercolor

This is a simple watercolor set that will work just fine for our Watercolor Challenge or Watercolor 101
Make sure the colors are Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Purple, Brown & Black < - - - - Will be $4-7
​amzn.to/43FLhli
Burnt Sienna and Payne's Grey are OPTIONAL - I will use them in the Watercolor 101 course
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Daniel Smith - Burnt Sienna Watercolor
If you add one additional color to the set above, I would recommend Burnt Sienna.
https://amzn.to/4dqT6wi
Daniel Smith - Paynes Gray
I'm starting to use this color more often for some nice deep darks.
​https://amzn.to/4hqoQEs


​Watercolor Palette

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With the Daniel Smith set, you will also need a Paint Palette. This is where you can keep paints as well as have space for color mixing.
​https://amzn.to/4kLkfz2

You can also use a WHITE Ceramic Plate available at any Wally or Dollar Store.
Here is another example of a nice ceramic container for watercolor mixing: ​https://amzn.to/41XULHj

Watercolor Brushes

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Princeton Aqua Elite 4850 Round #10
This is the brush I often use in class to demonstrate with.
https://amzn.to/47HONeW
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Princeton Select Artiste Paintbrush, Size 3/4 inch

This is a decent Flat Wash Brush 1/2" If you are going to get both a flat and a round, I'd recommend one of the Princeton Elite Watercolor Sets Below. amzn.to/43H1pD2
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*** Princeton Elite Watercolor Set
This set has an ANGLE brush - it's like a flat, but it's an angle, good for expressive line work.
4 Brushes - 1 Flat, 1 Angle, 1 Medium Round, 1 Small Round
https://amzn.to/3Y1eC6s
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Princeton Eliet Watercolor Set
This set has a Cat's Tongue brush - excellent for flower petals and more!
4 Brushes - 1 Flat, 1 Cat Tongue, 1 Medium Round, 1 Small Round
https://amzn.to/4ekMDV8

​*** NEW: - Small & Large Quill Brush - Good quality and price
Size 2 & Size 6
https://amzn.to/3E2fSP7
​


​Watercolor Paper - For Everyday Practice & Projects

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*** Art Beek 100% Cotton Watercolor Pad, 140 lb
​The Right Watercolor Paper is ESSENTIAL for Success!

This is an EXCELLENT watercolor paper to work and practice on.
​My most recommended paper for Watercolors - I use this in all class demonstrations.
https://amzn.to/4emlFMI

Watercolor Paper for your PROFESSIONAL Projects

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Arches - PROFESSIONAL Watercolor paper. This paper is a bit more expensive, and is a great choice for your professional works.
​140lb Cold Press (textured) Watercolor Paper - Excellent to enhance the overall look of your watercolor painting with beautiful watercolor textures.
https://amzn.to/4dqZ5RX
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Arches - PROFESSIONAL Watercolor Paper - SMOOTH - Excellent for detailed watercolor paintings.
SMOOTH - 140lb HOT PRESS (no texture) Watercolor Paper
https://amzn.to/3zCB7W8

Tape for your Watercolor Paper

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*** Clean Release Painters Tape
This is a good quality all around tape for your paintings. IF you find they stick too much or tear... use a hair dryer to help warm up the tape before removing :).
https://amzn.to/4dnGoOY
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Delicate Release Painters Tape
This does not stick nearly as much as the Clean Release, and sometimes that's a good thing, but at other times it can be frustrating. I use BOTH! I will use the delicate release to tape around the painting and then use the clean release (above) to help tape down this tape. Demonstrated in the You CAN Paint! Course.
https://amzn.to/3zMYMTA


​Canvas Board

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*** Canvas Board (To tape your watercolor paper on)
This helps to reduce buckling and warping of your painting. I also like to tape my working painting onto a board like this instead of to the table so that I can move my painting around... I'll do a demo :).
https://amzn.to/3Y1Aqz5


​Water Cups & Scrubbie

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​*** You will need 3 Plastic Cups for Water
, these 8 oz are perfect, not too small and not too big - https://amzn.to/3FmD8s3


​​
​Scrubbies are excellent for getting excess paint off your watercolor brushes. ​
https://amzn.to/3Ds7sRr


​Paper Towels

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*** Bounty Paper Towels seem to work the best: ​https://amzn.to/41DBpFW
You want WHITE paper towels because it helps you test your colors. YES, you can use a cotton rag; I'd recommend white.


Spray Bottle & Mister

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***Small Spray Bottle: https://amzn.to/3DD9XAi
Used to activate your watercolor paints

Mist Spray Bottle: ​https://amzn.to/4kOO8yn
This is a continuous mist. It's a very interesting kind of spray bottle. Weird at first, but I really enjoy it now.


​Transfer & Tracing Paper

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Strathmore Tracing Paper
Tracing paper is excellent for tracing and altering the image you are copying from.
https://amzn.to/3XPHkWS
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Graphite - ERASEABLE - Transfer Paper

Erasable Transfer Paper, this will help you trace directly from a photograph onto your watercolor paper. 
​​https://amzn.to/3Foqj0d


​Additionally you will want a pencil for drawing, as well as pen and paper for notes.


​If you see *** next to an item, these are the ones I highly recommend you get first. Everything else is extra should you want them :)


Happy Art Supply Shopping :) 
​
Nicole

Reach out if you have any questions - email me here!



​Bookbinding Supplies

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Triangle Ruler Set: 
https://amzn.to/40CAvJD

18x24 Cutting Mat
https://amzn.to/40CAGVj


Bookbinding Kit with Piercing Cradle
https://amzn.to/3EfAymW

11 Piece Bookbinding Kit
https://amzn.to/3Crlylo

Dritz 56T1822 Tapestry Hand Needles, Size 18/22 6-Count
https://amzn.to/4jrOjPw

Lineco Book Binding Stainless Steel Needles Pack of 5
https://amzn.to/4jrOjPw

tapestry hand Needles - Size 18 - 6/Pkg
https://amzn.to/40OM1CR

Genuine Bond Folder Tool
https://amzn.to/4hBKndr


Hardwood Handle Awl
https://amzn.to/42xXvvN


Needle Nose Pliers - ANY
https://amzn.to/4hd7x9Y


Utility Knife 18MM Box Cutter (3 Pack)
https://amzn.to/3PWxy1v


Books by Hand Natural Waxed Linen Thread
https://amzn.to/3WBiyK0


Metal Ruler
https://amzn.to/4hz02dj


Wax Threader
https://amzn.to/4hcCH1s


PH Neutral PVA Adhesive
https://amzn.to/42yhASO


Lineco Book PVA Glue and brushes
https://amzn.to/4jwTuOd


Sili Non-Stick Silicone Glue Brush
https://amzn.to/3CBdq1F


Foam Brushes 1 “
https://amzn.to/4jvvlrf
​
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(505) 204-1437

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  • Welcome
    • Senior Watercolor
  • Finding Your Angel
  • Contact
  • Art Supplies - You CAN Paint! Challenge
  • YOU CAN PAINT! - Watercolor Challenge 2025