My Favorite Art Supplies by Category
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Watercolor
My Studio Watercolor Palette
My CORE watercolors (Daniel Smith):
- Lemon Yellow (BUY)
- Quinacridone Lilac (BUY)
- Deep Scarlet (BUY)
- Phthalo Turquoise (BUY)
- Ultramarine Blue (BUY)
- Environmentally-Friendly Brown Iron Oxide (BUY)
Studio palette: I use the Studio Essentials palette (BUY)
These are great for anyone who needs something with a good amount of mixing space but is still compact and portable.
My BONUS watercolors (Daniel Smith):
- Buff Titanium (BUY)
- Lavender (BUY)
- Sodalite Genuine (BUY)
- Buff Titanium (BUY)
- Potter’s Pink (BUY)
- Lavender (BUY)
- Perylene Green (BUY)
- Custom Mix 1 (equivalent of Undersea Green): See my post for more details
- Custom Mix 2 (equivalent of Quinacridone Gold, without using PY150): See my post for more details
- Custom Mix 3 I call “Summer Clouds” (similar to Schmincke Deep Sea Violet or Jackman’s Petal Shadow): See my post for more details
Honorable Mentions:
- New Gamboge (BUY)
- Quinacridone Burnt Orange (BUY)
- Minnesota Pipestone Genuine (BUY)
- Bronzite Genuine (BUY)
- Manganese Blue Hue (BUY)
- Burnt Umber (BUY)
- Bloodstone Genuine (BUY)
- Amazonite Genuine (BUY)
- Undersea Green (BUY)
- Amethyst Genuine (BUY)
- Quinacridone Gold (BUY)
- Schmincke Supergranulation Shire Blue (BUY)
- Schmincke Deep Sea Violet (BUY)
- Jackman’s Petal Shadow (BUY) – Use code SARAHBURNS10 for 10% off at Jackman’s
Outdoor (Travel) Watercolor Palette
I use a Portable Painter Classic, which is a really great palette for painting on the go. (BUY)
If shopping in the US, buy directly from Portable Painter. Use code “SARAH” (all caps) for 10% off.
I use the following Daniel Smith watercolors:
- Lemon Yellow (BUY)
- Quinacridone Lilac (BUY)
- Deep Scarlet (BUY)
- Phthalo Turquoise (BUY)
- Ultramarine Blue (BUY)
- Environmentally-Friendly Brown Iron Oxide (BUY)
- Buff Titanium (BUY)
- Lavender (BUY)
- Sodalite Genuine (BUY)
- Potter’s Pink (BUY)
- Lavender (BUY)
- Perylene Green (BUY)
- Custom Mix “Quinacridone Gold” (mentioned above)
- Custom Mix “Undersea Green” (mentioned above)
- Custom Mix “Summer Clouds” (mentioned above)
- White Gouache (BUY)
I added the “expansion” pans where the brush usually goes. (BUY)
Read how I use my Ultralight kit here (along with extra supplies).
Micro “Ultra-light” Travel Palette
For my longer hikes, or when I just want to fit everything in my pocket, I use the Portable Painter Micro. (BUY) I use the expansion pans which allows for 8 colors. (BUY)
If shopping in the US, buy directly from Portable Painter. Use code “SARAH” (all caps) for 10% off.
My Custom Travel Brushes are available here.
Gouache
My Core Gouache Colors
In the studio I mostly use Winsor & Newton Designer’s Gouache. You can use any brand you like, but these are the core colors I recommend:
Some of my other favorite brands are Shinhan and Holbein. Read more about my favorites here.
Portable Painter with dried gouache
- Titanium White aka “permanent white” (BUY)
- Daniel Smith Buff Titanium (BUY)
- W&N Ultramarine Blue (BUY)
- W&N Cadmium-free Lemon Yellow (BUY)
- W&N Quinacridone Magenta (BUY)
- W&N Cobalt Turquoise Light (BUY)
- W&N Perylene Black (BUY)
- Shinhan Burnt Umber (BUY)
- Shinhan Shadow Green Pale (BUY)
- Shinhan Lilac (BUY)
- Shinhan Burnt Sienna (BUY)
- Schmincke Horadam Helio Turquoise (BUY)
- Schmincke Horadam English Red (BUY)
- Schmincke Horadam Titanium Gold Ochre (BUY)
My portable palette colors change frequently. I like to experience and play with a wide variety of color combinations when I’m outside. It helps me learn about color mixing faster.
Read more about how I use dried gouache.
I use a Portable Painter, which is a really great palette for painting on the go. (BUY)
If shopping in the US, buy directly from Portable Painter. Use code “SARAH” (all caps) for 10% off.
You can add the “expansion” pans where the brush usually goes. (BUY)
Leak-Proof Travel Palette for Gouache
The Studio Essentials Palette comes with it’s own water container and mixing tray (on the lid). It is a great airtight, leak-proof palette. (BUY)
I think this one is the best for travel because the colors can’t spill into each other even if it gets flipped over in your bag.
I use similar colors to what I’ve shared below.
Airtight Palette Box (12 large wells)
I bought this on Amazon (not affiliated), because it was the only place I could find it. I don’t think that it’s 100% leak-proof, but it has been totally fine for me in the studio. I’ve been using it for a few months and the colors are still creamy.
- Lemon Yellow (BUY)
- Yellow Ochre (BUY)
- Permanent Yellow Deep (BUY)
- Burnt Umber (BUY)
- Opera* (BUY)
- Primary Magenta (BUY)
- Quinacridone Red (BUY)
- Burnt Sienna (BUY)
- Viridian (BUY)
- Cobalt Turquoise (BUY)
- Ultramarine Deep (BUY)
- Prussian Blue (BUY)
- I always use a tube of fresh white gouache on the side. (BUY)
*Note: this color is not lightfast
Stay-Wet Palette
My favorite Stay-Wet type palette is the Redgrass Palette V2. These types of palettes come with sponge and palette paper and the lid seals air-tight. This helps keep the gouache moist for a long time.
I have also been LOVING the newer Redgrass XL Palette with the glass palette. It is wonderful to mix on, and can be easily cleaned. I use it for regular gouache as well as acrylic gouache.
But there are many options, two other popular choices are the Daler Rowney Stay-Wet palette or the Masterson Sta-Wet Super Pro palette. You can keep another smaller palette or mixing tray inside one of these too.
Helpful advice for painting with gouache wet vs. dry
Mixing Trays
6×8 Guerrilla Backpacker™ Covered Palette Tray
This is one of my favorites for outdoor mixing tray for gouache. A lightweight, portable mixing tray that has a tight-fitting lid which keeps my paint fresh for a day or two. The only downside is that the plastic can stain, so it needs to be cleaned thoroughly after using strong colors. I usually use brush soap to clean it.
6×8 New Wave U.Go mixing tray
This simple little mixing tray came with my New Wave U.Go 6×8 pochade box. I have a white version and a gray version. They are made of rigid plastic and clean really easily. I often use this when I want a quick, small setup. There are no edges on it, so I wouldn’t use it for watercolor, but it’s perfect for gouache.
Ceramic Mixing Tray
In the studio I like this ceramic mixing tray by Jackson’s Art. It’s a little heavier but very nice to mix on, doesn’t stain and wipes cleans super easily. Probably the best all-around tray for any medium.
Brushes
My Custom Set of Gouache Brushes
I have created a set of brushes that I love for both gouache and watercolor. Buy my Signature Brush Set by Craftamo (includes 7 brushes)
These are pretty much the only brushes I use nowadays. You can see them in action in most of my youtube videos, just look for the turquoise handle. Watch the video demonstration here.
Pro Arte Brush Case (BUY)
This case keeps my brushes safe when I use them outside.
Other Brushes I Love
Silver Black Velvet Brush – Round #12 and #14
If I could only have one watercolor brush, this would be it. Highly absorbent and responsive, Silver Brush Black Velvet brushes are made from a blend of Squirrel hair and a new type of synthetic filament called Risslon. Mine has lasted 7 years so far. (BUY)
Escoda Ultimo Alvaro Castagnet Set
This set was gifted to me, and I absolutely love it. Especially the #18 which I use frequently for large washes. Very high quality brushes. (BUY)
Caran D’Ache Waterbrush
Great for travel. I like the button design. I have the medium and large. (BUY)
Paper
I use a wide variety of papers and sketchbooks and my favorites change now and then. But there are a few types I have used for more than 6 years and still love. They are:
Arches 9×12 Cold Pressed Paper Block
100% Cotton Paper, 140# (300gsm). Incredibly sturdy paper, handles everything I throw at it! Not vegan friendly. (BUY)
Baohong Paper Block NOT
100% Cotton Paper with wonderful texture. I love the cold pressed version but the rough is also wonderful. (BUY) or try their sample pack. I also love the horizontal format of the 14.9″X5.1″ block.
Fabriano Artistico 7×10 Cold Pressed Paper Block
I really like this paper and it’s great to know it’s Vegan friendly. (BUY)
Sketchbooks
Stillman & Birn Nova Beige Sketchbook 8×10
The beige paper is smooth with a tiny tooth, great for all drawing types. When you see me using toned paper in my videos, this is the one. (BUY) I also really enjoy the smaller version.
(For Mixed Media travel: Stillman & Birn Beta series)
Hahnemühle Watercolour Book 100% Cotton
I like the 19.5×19.5 square. All mediums handle well on this paper and it’s nice that the whole thing feels lightweight. Not as good as the other 100% cotton sketchbooks but still excellent value. (Non affiliate link)
Etchr Cold Pressed A5 “Perfect” Sketchbook
100% cotton paper. Made with heavier 300 gsm paper, this will handle all wet media and watercolor behaves beautifully. (BUY)
Pochade Boxes & Bags
Favorite Pochade Box
New Wave U.Go 6×8 Pochade Box
This is my newest easel, and I love it. It’s really well made, adjustable and has all sorts of useful add-ons. I use the New Wave grey mixing tray and the side trays.
Pochade Box (Buy)
Grey Mixing Tray (Buy)
Side Trays (Buy)
I use a SIRUI AM-225 carbon fiber tripod.
Favorite Backpacks
My favorite backpack is the MindShift UltraLight Dual 25 L (not affilate), because my pochade box fits perfectly in the lower section. It is very lightweight and sturdy. It holds everything I need for a painting trip. It’s a camera bag but love it for painting.
Other bags I like (especially for longer hikes with my supplies):
- Ultimate Direction Fastpackher 20 (womens)
- REI Trail 25L Backpack (mens) a great standard, sturdy backpack with lots of pockets.
- Bagsmart Blast Quick Access 28L-38L Carry On Travel Backpack (the yellow one you see in my videos)
- CADeN L4 Waterproof Camera Backpack Dual Use DSLR Bag (amazon) has a little padded “drawer” in the bottom, perfect to store the pochade box or camera.
Etchr Slate Mini Art Bag (Buy)
This “carry all” is a handy shoulder bag that unfolds and can be worn around your body, allowing you to work hands-free while sitting or standing. It also attaches to a tripod which I use frequently. It becomes a stable platform that I can rest my supplies on while I paint. I use a SIRUI AM-225 carbon fiber tripod.
Read more about how I use it in this post to see details about my setup and watch the video below.
Etchr Nano Bag (Buy)
This is Etchr’s newest bag, and is pretty similar to the Slate Mini except smaller and cheaper. And it doesn’t attach to a tripod. You can see how I use it here and in the video below.
Other Pochade Boxes I like:
- Guerrilla Painter 6×8 Thumbox – very lightweight and holds a decent amount of stuff. Very well made. You can see me use it in this video.
- Sienna Pochade Box (Medium) – Beautiful wooden pochade box with glass palette. It’s so luxurious! I only use mine with oil (currently it’s packed away) but you can watch me use it in this video.
- STRADA Watercolor Easel – Not a box, but this is a heavy, extremely durable metal easel. I only use it in the studio since it’s too heavy to hike with. It is large and works great paired with the John Pike Universal Palette. Watch me use it in this video.
Painting Accessories
I use this large Mijello bucket most of the time (in the studio) because it has three water sections. Having 3 sections helps to avoid cross-contaminating colors while painting. (BUY)
Studio Essentials Double Water Cup with Lid. Almost spill-proof and great for travel. (BUY)
I love these types of foldable foam seats. I have a dozen or so, different brands, colors and styles. They are excellent for plein air because they allow you to sit anywhere. Sometimes you can even find them with backs!
(Non-affiliate link)
I get questions about my “wheelie chair” all the time, but unfortunately it’s discontinued.
It’s called the Guerrilla Painter Chair. If you ever find one locally or on ebay or something, I highly recommend it.
Something similar you could look for are “shopping trolley with seat.”
Useful Mediums for Painting
Dorland’s Wax Medium
Protect your gouache paintings with a waterproof seal. Dries matte. Watch my video. (BUY)
Blending Medium
If you find that your paint is drying out too quickly, add a few drops of this to your mixes. (BUY)
Drawing
Favorite Pens
Sailor Fude de Mannen Calligraphy Fountain Pen
I love this unique 55° nib! It allows for thick and very fine lines depending on the angle. I use it with green De Atramentis Document Green Grey Ink. (BUY)
Pilot Parallel Pens
It comes in various sizes: 1.5mm, 2.4mm, 3.8mm, 6mm. I bought the 2.4 and 3.8 version, along with a Pilot Con-40 Converter (sold separately) for each. I filled them with my favorite drawing ink: de Atramentis Document Green Grey. (BUY)
Brush Pens
Brush pens are great for adding really bold marks. They also allow you to go from super thin to really thick lines in an instant. (Buy)
Other Pens I use frequently:
Favorite Inks
- SketchINK (BUY) is my favorite. I have Lilly, Emma, Klara and Carmen.
- DeAtramentis Document Ink (green grey and blue)
Favorite Pencils
Blackwing Pearl Pencils (BUY)
I like these because the eraser is replaceable and the graphite is just right. It doesn’t break when I press hard, but it is soft enough to get a nice dark value.
Graphgear 1000 (BUY)
This clutch pencil accepts 0.9mm leads and is practically indestructible. I use 2B by Kokuyo. The weight of the pencil is significantly more than others, which helps with stability and pressure.
Derwent Graphic Pencils (BUY)
I typically use 2B or softer but this is a good starter set.
Tombow Mono Zero Eraser (BUY)
I have both the flat and the round, I slightly prefer the flat.
Watercolor Pencils
My favorite are the Faber Castell Albrecht Dürer Colour Pencils. (BUY).
See my colors and how I use them here.
Jacksons Softcover Drawing Sketchbook (BUY)
These are slightly off-white and I think graphite looks fantastic on them. They hold up well to a lot of graphite and erasing.
Favorite Markers
Shinhan Touch Twin Alcohol Markers (BUY)
For color, my favorite markers are the Shinhan Touch Twin Markers. They are alcohol based and refillable. I absolutely love the color selection, how long they last, and the chisel tip. I don’t use the brush tips, I prefer CHUNKY marks!
You can see all of my favorite colors and read about my experience here.
Tombow Dual Tip Markers (BUY)
My favorite for value sketches are the Tombow Dual Tip “blendable” markers. They are water-based which means they don’t bleed through as much (or at all) and you can actually blend them rather easily. I have a few different greys and a light blue, and pretty much always keep them in my backpack.
Acrylic Painting
If you’ve watched some of my older videos you know I used to use oil paint and acrylic paint more often. I have temporarily taken a break from those until we buy a bigger place. But here are some favorite supplies:
Liquitex Basics Heavy Body Acrylics
Great paint for beginners, or when you need a lot of coverage. (BUY)
Golden High Flow Acrylics
Really great for flowy, drippy application. Also perfect for glazes. (BUY)
Golden Heavy Body Acrylics
Luxurious paints, great coverage. (BUY)
Liquitex Satin Varnish
Protect your artwork and bring out the richness of the colors. (BUY)
Golden Open Acrylics
These take longer to dry which is great for slower sessions or painting outside in warm weather. (BUY)
Liquitex Large Brushes
These large stiff-bristle brushes are excellent for large work. I love using them for backgrounds and big expressive marks. They double as excellent varnish brushes. (BUY)
Is there a brand and color you recommend for watercolor paper?
Hi Sarah thank you for the clear list with recommodetions! For the gouache, the beginner set you recommend are the colours free of heavy metals? I was also wondering if you have tried the Art Toolkit palettes?
Cheers
Sarah
I think in that list the only one that might contain heavy metal is the W&N cobalt turquoise light
One question: the pigments of the ink fall out in the fountain pen? So far I have used SketchINK by Rohrer and Klingner “Thea”. After a day, the ink pigments can be clearly seen in the converter.
Hi Sarah! I am trying to find the tiny heat gun you have… I need that, but when I google search, I only find some big weird ones… What is the name for the one you have?
I use Sizzix Heat Tool which is similar. I got it from Amazon (UK).
Hi Sarah. Did I see on one your plein air posts a folding mat to sit on? Could you post a link to it? I’ll be visiting Inverness and Skye at the end of April, beginning of May. Can’t wait!
Ach, found the pad, so nevermind about the link! Thank you for all the great plein air info
SER—Sarah—I’ve enjoyed reading your blogs and listening to your videos since I’ve taken up painting in gouache again after many, many years. I used this medium for textile design.
Question: I bought a compact 24color palette with a lid—you may have recommended it—and like it. I have been misting it with water each time I close it at the end of a painting session. I believe I read from you yesterday it’s better to let the paints dry out and re-water before use again. Is this correct?
FYI—the only mold I’ve had is from an MGraham color. Do I really need to throw out all the other colors from the palette? The other colors don’t show any mold.
Thank you, SER
Hi Sarah! I l have a question about white in gouache painting, how come you only use titanium white? As I’ve understood it the zinc-white is a “mixing”-white? Would love to hear your thoughts!
Thank you so much!
//Ellinor
I don’t really see much of a difference and it’s easier to just use one tube.
Is it best to use different brushes for watercolor and gouache if that option is available to you?
It’s OK to use them for both
How do you clean watercolor a face gouache brushes?
There must have been a typo – what was your question?
Hi Sarah,
I was wondering if you have an opinion or recommendations on printers and scanners to use for printing out reference photos or prints of your own artwork. I’d love to hear your thoughts on this subject. Thank you.
I use a Canon Pixma Pro 100S (5 years) and love it. Fave paper is Olmec. I use a Canon LiDe 400 scanner and love it. I also take photos of my larger art with my Fuji Xt4 with various lenses.
Sarah, what is the brand of easel you use in your studio? looks like what I’ve been trying to find. i don like a table easel
It’s a STRADA pad and tray
Hi. I’m new to gouache and have a very low budget. Can you recommend a good student grade gouache set?
I haven’t used any student grade gouache but a good cheap brand is Shinhan
Sarah, someone used Seawhite of Brighton sketchbook some time ago. Was it you? I’m getting ready to take a fill-a-sketchbook class, and am thinking about this one. If I’m going to actually fill it 🤞🏻 I don’t want one too big or too small, just a Goldilocks. And it needs to be WC friendly. I have large and small sketchbooks, expensive and thick sketchbooks. I just want a basic good one that I won’t panic about filling.
Hey there. Yes I’ve used those. They are very cheap, and you get what you pay for. I don’t like them for watercolor. Drawing is fine, and any kind of opaque paint (gouache or something) would be fine. Ink with a splash of watercolor is the most “wet” I would go
Thanks so much, Sarah!
What kind of colored pencils do you use? I am in the market for new ones. I have used prismacolor and the premium Crayola ones. Do you ever use watercolor pencil? Would love to know what kind you use.
I don’t use them often, but when I do, I like Polychromos
What was the brush holder clip you used on the July 24th video (Vlog26).
It’s called a triple hole metal pen holder
Hi Sarah,
I enjoyed watching one of your videos on using reference material from your own photos. I’ve been thinking for a long time of how to print out photos I’ve taken for reference material for future painting projects. It occured to me after watching you and another artist’s youtube videos to think about getting an ipad instead. Can you tell me anything in regards to this? I’m guessing that it would be used exclusively for art and so wouldn’t need anything too complicated or even expensive. Wonder if you’d care to lend me your thoughts on this?
Sincerely,
Debbie
An iPad would be an extremely expensive reference photo display. iPads are computers and capable of amazing things. If you get one, use it for all it’s worth! Painting, typing, admin, research, etc.
Sarah – Can you tell me what the board is called which you used on the back of your Arches Journal? And where you bought it?
It’s a 3mm MDF board that I bought from a hardware store then cut it to size
Why don’t you approve of moleskine?
It makes watercolor painting a miserable experience
For casual watercolor sketching I’ve not had an issue.
I have to agree with this. I didn’t realise how bad Moleskine was for watercolour and ink painting until I tried a 100% cotton sketchbook instead. I still use them for pencil/pen/marker sketching but stopped using them for watercolour and ink. <3
I have been using W&N Pro Acrylic, and I do find the colour shift is less with it than with Golden, liquitex, etc… I was having a bad time with grisaille painting, when I would work hard on values then come back and find it looking way off how I left it. I gather good users can predict the shifts, but that does not seem like a challenge one should embrace if one does not have to.
Interesting! I guess it depends on your technique and style, whether that matters or not. But it’s good to know.