Video - Watercolor 101 - Episode 2 - Paint, Paper, & Swatching

Hello friends,

Welcome to Episode 2 of Watercolor 101. I am doing this series due to popular request. I want to share full disclosure, I am not a watercolor artist, but rather a passionate, enthusiast. I am simply sharing my knowledge of watercolor and the play that we can have with it.

In today’s video, we are talking paint, paper, and swatching some colors. I am giving a recommendation of a less expensive watercolor paint that one could try. In this video, we are swatching all the colors from the Kuretake Gansai Watercolor paint set. The Amazon listing says they are professional grade, but I am not so sure about that. However, they are better than any student grade paint I have used. We will be using them a lot through this series. I will link it below.

We will also be talking about different kinds of watercolor paper and why the BEST matters. I highly recommend 100% cotton if you can swing it. It is my personal belief that good watercolor paper is more important than the paint or the brushes. You might come to your own conclusion, which could be different from mine.

As I mentioned in episode 1 and again today, I got pretty spoiled with buying the best supplies when I started pursuing watercolor play. I was working in corporate America and had the means to do so.

I also share a variety of pallets and paint brands. In my work, I use professional watercolors. However, you DO NOT have to do that.

As we continue to move through the series, I will share more.

I hope you enjoy!

FULL SUPPLY LIST UNDER PHOTOS!

The watercolor paint data below is strictly for reference. All of these paint brands can be purchased by the tube. For ease of linking, I just pulled sets.

MGraham Watercolor Tubes – https://www.amazon.com/M-Graham-Watercolor-15ml-Naples/dp/B01M1N4AOK/ref=sr_1_4?crid=2BLSCTHRQXSVM&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.5wUojIWUoLN10SUj402G1tZF1HSl2Gr5bJtOzrXuGIM6Y0dGIW4LxiWzMb3LKc2wSMuIRuJQKq_Xh8eT7o2FvhZNIN7BT1UXXEJlRUJ91yT7vjPQJXQj9_R60lGnZkbYLTlvySNTQmgQ6dRKjLOfLDi2_hduophDgLt-66u3AmXVI4I0f4ijPT5dUmpsUIVCRPSafUxpcaJ9LJYs8uk5Rhj9LP0bwRDY1XKvnLYRoIcWQ-XuY_Ij0npqnXK59XeC2rxyXAMUvyMtqCGushVdjQU98fzL-kB_XdhcEn08W4k.EhnUUZ5vToKh87YfwHEPu16gGBc7BuK1sxZxWIOS65E&dib_tag=se&keywords=m+graham+watercolor+tubes&qid=1708558044&sprefix=win+watercolor+tubes%2Caps%2C1479&sr=8-4

Winsor Newton Watercolor Tubes – PROFESSIONAL – https://www.amazon.com/Winsor-Newton-Professional-Lightweight-Sketchers/dp/B000OL5JQU/ref=sr_1_5?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.HFViESIQIH97Ognri3ol1zuvWZksycAaXzwRLpenykCLq2cOrCqpWZC7pR9yc38wTGPcY6Z-k8RzeM8FV2ZYAioJc9g0hTjo12g9OlQ15kuIxyr4jerSgDpjMGdSF7vrYeUe4fEOvj6lPsaZLCQeFedOB7Ctbzad-5W8XtVwIQUscOae7Ew9bdodtILRlLjOWeAtLW9a2STpyVeZamZyxz-yQ3Q51H1nTcXnh9sfBe_lLTq4zIf449cfHcwBgTPaTwPXl1wNxn-PmSI5QGQLhkHd7ahJOb-9iQWlU7PFrhk.BETYbnrrZG_4EBJKGK82Da–ZLJwRA1BWiD85f8G5Lo&dib_tag=se&keywords=winsor+newton+watercolor+tubes&qid=1708557960&sr=8-5

Winsor Newton Watercolor Tubes – COTMAN – Student grade – https://www.amazon.com/Winsor-Newton-Cotman-Watercolour-20-Mulitcoloured/dp/B08NK1BR8B/ref=sr_1_2?crid=42R4X01RE8HO&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.HFViESIQIH97Ognri3ol1zuvWZksycAaXzwRLpenykCLq2cOrCqpWZC7pR9yc38wTGPcY6Z-k8RzeM8FV2ZYAioJc9g0hTjo12g9OlQ15kuIxyr4jerSgDpjMGdSF7vrYeUe4fEOvj6lPsaZLCQeFedOB7Ctbzad-5W8XtVwIQUscOae7Ew9bdodtILRlLjOWeAtLW9a2STpyVeZamZyxz-yQ3Q51H1nTcXnh9sfBe_lLTq4zIf449cfHcwBgTPaTwPXl1wNxn-PmSI5QGQLhkHd7ahJOb-9iQWlU7PFrhk.BETYbnrrZG_4EBJKGK82Da–ZLJwRA1BWiD85f8G5Lo&dib_tag=se&keywords=winsor%2Bnewton%2Bwatercolor%2Btubes&qid=1708557896&sprefix=winsor%2Bnewtowatercolor%2Btubes%2Caps%2C825&sr=8-2&th=1

Rembrandt Watercolor Tubes – https://www.amazon.com/Rembrandt-Artists-Watercolor-Set-Luxury/dp/B08BZS5VGJ/ref=sr_1_4?crid=F9QA2A4HVAK&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.ljLUNPeXssCF98sMlVq57SwotAGTFT1lWERfhiC7um4D4FLPMdSL71M_z3XvGGtyGCmuCdpYHK7NX4nBwKZ2DQr4NIac3VVM0_Uj9K8QL4pRqSrEyFeTmQLe2OeyhcYNO1iKFM5xGyIVMdT0MoFdDmxj4mdpEuUkOjWkbpvE8bszjzXMMuNFiNu7H9tgUtZmuq-HNSXSOmJktnxHr_Xoe6jkv9VRz_9VNqmQSSTez6U6eVfkg-prfkYbroUjSexTVToVlYUASEYS4R4zRRqb5kgwZC92BfiMvYwysfTXoYU.oZul2_isMaNj2mbhCF3l9_vzLDbzb2gAHVeCNyA1Uho&dib_tag=se&keywords=rembrandt+watercolor+tubes&qid=1708557850&sprefix=rembrandt+waterco+tubes%2Caps%2C1069&sr=8-4

Sennelier Watercoler Tubes – https://www.amazon.com/Sennelier-Petite-Aquarelle-10Ml-Tubes/dp/B01F4704XG/ref=sr_1_5?crid=4VCRE930F6WE&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.sNvjHeMQMPfzs2vgPXMef6EIQlX73bS_gp9iUVSVu4ZQHc56aMrVeFHjC3NiF34aPCn8Plm1fI65ORrzMMARAbSUIOPQicHunTfgRCmjhSoMbAa5QOHdjmlTymGwgzXVK55VSaM1evi_L0Iy2YFBzLY8GfNw_7lZET2z0KqDXYUsvlPPtmRBQFs_tLuEVMDxioRpU48davuuCPzdostpO_j8GY_PTjipK-TB9T0gLzr9_BlDZM8iCx9k6pVTFicO0UhW3tXss0iNt8bgeRxFyCshmUDAwQEmXOtZ-QYZU_w.X0TH2ShK2RKkyArgl2eSPzUEKvVI6ilV1bb8NO7y1-w&dib_tag=se&keywords=sennelier%2Bwatercolor%2Btubes&qid=1708557805&sprefix=sennelier%2Bwa%2Caps%2C818&sr=8-5&th=1

Synthetic Natural Hair Watercolor Brushes – https://www.amazon.com/Creative-Mark-Artist-Paint-Brush/dp/B07P5JMD8P/ref=sr_1_3?crid=13GQIB0LLCTV2&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.A5DxrFCteCaPbsmg0CUWOUoBIgAupuXSuRkqWpCfMYfHF2cL53Wg_0OA1sDe3CVMgn-RUqIYq4v8okzVdXG7TckjbQ-TF_lOU4CxRAHAbbB02LUUguzUe6yGsNHv8Q5HBCIc9gVha3euFKIxO8ns-LIrFr5BIlWF4Ohr3DY5kdgXay8MHFRzJunv8paghwyaLZ-tCLgbTUldmlFjAfgzfjTaUjJO7mkG3fI_WPmbX24m1w7O8sfJwudP_J4Ol32cP4PG6_BdXiL7YIkVzMHWScfx-CdahtvQnQLXvrUw-5E.eZpZudajuMwAZz7oq48-CvtyXBTSwimdFjJyHatecTI&dib_tag=se&keywords=creative%2Bmark%2Bmimik%2Bwatercolor%2Bbrushes&qid=1708557724&sprefix=creative%2Bmark%2BMimik%2Bwatercol%2Caps%2C1086&sr=8-3&th=1

Kuratake Gansai Watercolor Paint – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BBKT9SM?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1

Arches Watercolor Paper – 140 lb CP – Professional Grade – https://www.amazon.com/Arches-Watercolor-10×14-inch-Natural-Cotton/dp/B084Z5LP56/ref=sr_1_6?crid=RFEKDPL052A5&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.-Oxo9PkZMNkRJ5G-lS9vQiVV7JpD4OOlzX1PQVMmR81oPOfCIyGTl8ubGSjM7UhBTJwfvlWIhHILIs0fLSNnMoc5NeIO_9DX5fhrEu9IISt93bu6cAGYXc7GnDcpiKI4ugFO-cI2pmVUPzsWt1K-2bxhXXdP0vdS9_5mJb7rsAjjnqFPSPVHDn2zT-mB9U5WFXb2U4IVpg4w_s3MV7YqulQ0OvDZwoKtDO3SQzvKMBI11F6bn1OCwvD8Z7TExrleWPwmIWJlmg8h7b9-RmRzZFxGRLD563Gc_g8OWZkQKMI.N5Q21NfH48VXuvDK1i2bTSB0WWfkuWbmPbld1uQ11rw&dib_tag=se&keywords=arches+watercolor+paper&qid=1708558385&sprefix=arches+watercol%2Caps%2C1499&sr=8-6

Hahnemuhle Watercolor Paper – 140 lb CP – Professional Grade – https://www.amazon.com/Hahnemuhle-Collection-Watercolor-Pressed-Inches/dp/B0947ZNTGG/ref=sr_1_5_pp?crid=C55CGRBKMJY3&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Rode41yFIlLMi2LJQ0OTwyew2s2tGHsyjzsCzliAhQRKpm9E6mKhDK8jTCKJVDPKvVFAAufSUYa58XNMIa7Ok0gd54yev4_HMcN3oWVXX4k9bch21Xv4GAtXtmpXSIyhE2JMQsD13YH3veIWdeEDpeSsNqjl41PqMQZuR5tz3xDWAYHI_IHbMlDB4v4zvZhFk-_790LNWEL0dHpcrjMEIHKItuwyvaLG29WAeTnniOI3sgDicXNsXejuFPo3W7E4GQ9lbJBA9_cIozgNzEu0SvJjn_VkUzsXKrx-oiJBBYg.BCv2cdl4Yyyqw7JlKA8BO5TzQAY2ytVfMxU0HuQU2IQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=hahnemuhle+watercolor+paper&qid=1708558440&sprefix=hanamuelle+watercolor+pap%2Caps%2C1023&sr=8-5

Canson XL – 140 lb CP – Student Grade – https://www.amazon.com/Canson-Watercolor-Textured-Charcoal-100510941/dp/B004M59O4C/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=XLIRBLPCWL78&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.M4qhwn2A8oDgJMz4Iz7UlRudcFY_kOKame142CWBuCC62SV4AlMxSHv8RnCEDpNyoSpxRnXQiQ1vlg91wSd1CJfzAAZd7Q2CsTXJyJTdVbNVaWcH7KsNqr6soppx3grxQd6mhRapdUF4Vh1uUfpHSPcHgg5BUfIrvm7tK27xJYA5myHPcLvAeFVvtTmacLwxLpCrQdKGEmGo5Nc-WqRG87eVIlTCgGl7HTRoeceXfjNi4z6BK_fo6EYOOqdFm0h4cQaFajPBUNRSWf3v0E62TnVy-9HJ1Wo-us6IlvdkSng.C9PUq07WEMPIKgBlDipFNXs1ST-T24d18keG_krVTdQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=canson+XL+watercolor+paper&qid=1708558476&sprefix=canson+xl+watercolor+paper%2Caps%2C888&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1

Bockingford – 140 lb CP – Professional Grade –https://www.amazon.com/Bockingford-Watercolor-Block-White-Pound/dp/B00LIYPXIG/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.pXEV3eTuaodK0FuBg-PNrFI4isnmoIjoYDFCqu9ykmFyRBn-34V8NFIWVE1bVJt0MjM3bSGIf1ibO6NXYFEZNFM6Z3Gh6ppfSZvFVwyTx3MNp6xCXz5xm6vphxsh5PdcWgpL9jKfY9JbMGadTq9dFY2oGuZJ0z6zGXkWzW5e_zg7-98wJd2Zkx7jdh_80cDMQtyOCrdhcC452yRo14Bo7cPg4uX3pLARxDmXN2_lDqy8vwBAyml_MKyxzaDn8x0klHF5VfcKGV-zX2_jy7sh5RkYabwjLXmAgfZlyT4UMLc.yDZh_ZTIwZNw_K_t6HnH1XgZcGxSYbepp9odwb20XXg&dib_tag=se&keywords=bockingford%2Bwatercolor%2Bpaper&qid=1708559016&sr=8-1&th=1

Blick – 140 lb CP – Student Grade – http://Blick.com