Tools & Supplies
Recommendations for Tools and Supplies when attending a Letven class or workshop.
For advanced students many of the items listed below are probably already in your toolbox.
Please view the following items as merely a checklist.
I certainly do not suggest that anyone buy everything on the list.
For students who have had only a few previous watercolor classes or have not worked in watercolor for some time, you should eventually
acquire the basics as listed.
Those items considered very important are underlined
1) Round Pointed Brushes
Pointed Rounds Watercolor
Sables or Mixed Synthetic OK
Sizes #. 2 #. 4 No. # 6 and #8
2) Flat Brushes
Watercolor Brushes Sable or Mixed Synthetic OK
Sizes: 1/8 -1/4 width -1/2’ width and -3/4” or
# 2 flat #4 # 6 #8
3) Paper
Suggested sheet brands... Arches or Montval or equal Windsor & Newton Watercolor Block
or Spine Taped Large Pad
Sizes: W&N Maximum Size: 15” x 20”
Minimum Size” 9” x 12”
Wt. 140 lb Cold Press (rough) 15-20 sheets
Brand: Canson or Arches
Arches (best but most expensive) Montval Brand less expensive but OK)
Note: Montval Sizes are
Max Size: 15” x 20”
Minimum Size 11”x 14”
Recommended: Bring One half sheet or full sheet cut in quarters
300 lb. Arches
Cold Press Watercolor Paper – cut into quarters and use by stretching one piece onto mounting foam board with tape. or staples after wetting paper. then staple. Must be dry by time of workshop
.
New Foam board for stretching paper using staples is very good but not necessary for this workshop.
If you care to buy it do not buy largest size. Instructor will have stapler and demonstrate stretching.
Small spiral bound artists book 6” X 9” or 7” x 10” multi-media
paper for drawing and pre- sketches.
4) If not using Pad or Block and you prefer to stretch paper your backing board should be:
Plastic, Masonite or thick Foamcore board . Must be water resistant surface and not cardboard.
5) Paints, Sets and Palettes.
It is okay to use student grade colors in tube or set form for budget reasons. However professional grades for the blue pigments are especially recommended for this workshop…. (Winsor&Newtown or equal) They can be used to refill the pans
as they are used more frequently than other pigments particularly in scapes.
Winsor & Newton student grade brand is
Cotman Brand.
Watercolor Sets: Your choice of:
a ) professional or student grade watercolor set with replaceable pans… ample mixing palette or
separate large palette. Refill using tubes or pre wrapped pigment blocks
Or b) Plastic Tray with up 18- 25 wells… with cover is ideal. Heritage
Folding Palette (Cheap Joe’s is ideal) Refill using tubes
6) One bottle of Gouache White such as Pro White or
AquaCover White (preferred)
7) Basic watercolor paints
Winsor &Newton-5 ml tubes size or Pan refills OK
Note: Allegheny has discontinued Holbein, a very good brand
and may have last of stock on sale now.
Other Good Brands, Rembrandt and VanGogh
Alizarin Crimson W004-
CadmiumYellowW137-5
Lemon Yellow W086-5
Cadmium Red W094-5
French Ultramarine W263-5
Cobalt Blue Deep W180-5
Cerulean Blue ( or Manganese Blue)
Indigo W465-5
Sap Green W503-5
Burnt Sienna 074-5
Yellow Ochre W744-5
Optional Paints
Prussian Blue
Opera Rose
Paynes Gray)
Burnt Umber
Gamboge
8) Miscellaneous Supplies
Artists masking tape
(tan preferred)
about 1/2 inch or 5/8 width
Small X-acto blade and handle
Bottle of Miskit or any Liquid Frisket
Tool Box Medium size plastic with handle to transport your
tubes, brushes etc.
Paper Towels (about 10 sections folded…do not bring roll
One Fine Artist Sponge
One Kneaded Eraser
Pencils HB, 2b or 3b and small portable sharpener
Three Watercolor Pencils
One Violet, One Blue One Green pencil. Note: Optional