What Art Supplies Do I Paint With?

I have been painting in watercolours on and off for the past 15 years and really amped up my watercolour painting around 2020. Up until them I was using entry level paper, brushes and paints. These are good supplies for students and artists starting out, but when I switched to more premium professional art supplies, I noticed a huge difference in the art I was creating, from better paper, paint and brushes.

Heres are the art supplies I use to create my watercolour art.

Da Vinci Cosmotop Spin Brushes

You really only need three different sizes brushes, but somehow I have a lot more than that. These brushes are great, they feel nice to hold (don’t slip) and have excellent control of fluid. These will last for ever if you look after them and are worth paying the price for these brushes. Tip: Never ever leave the brush end down in water, this will destroy the fibres. Always keep them flat when wet until they are dry.

Hahnlemuhle Harmony Watercolour Paper 300gsm

I paint with two types of this paper, Cold Press and Hot Press, both acid free and come in A4 & A3 sizes.

Cold Press (textured)
This paper has a nice texture to it and great for painting wet on wet and you will have great control of the paint and can easily be taken off. Cold press is absorbent and dries quickly. Colours are vibrant and great to use masking fluid and masking tape.

Hot Press (smooth)

This smooth watercolour paper is great for more detailed work when painting wet on dry. Hot press is less absorbent and allows for more time to adjust the paint while drying. Colours are vibrant and great to use masking fluid and masking tape.

Horadam Aquarell Watercolour Paint

I highly recommend these paints. Not only are the colours so vibrant, but they have a huge range of colours. They come in tubes and pans and will last a long time. A smidge of paint goes a long way.

I purchase all of my painting supplies from Gordon Harris, a great kiwi owned art supplies shop.