My Favorite Watercolor Supplies

The Watercolor Supplies I Use Most

When it comes to art supplies, I like keeping things simple. I don’t use anything super fancy or overcomplicated—just tools that feel good to work with and get the job done. If you're curious about what’s in my usual rotation, here’s a breakdown of what I actually use to paint, sketch, and travel with.

Paper I Love

My favorite paper hands down is the Bee Paper 6" x 9" Watercolor Paper Pack (140lb, 50 sheets). I like the size, the texture, and the way it handles water—it’s perfect for daily painting and even small finished pieces.

For practice or warmups, I usually grab the Canson XL Series Watercolor Pad (9" x 12"). It’s great for loose sketching, color testing, or when I just want to play without overthinking the outcome.

My Go-To Paint Sets

For most of my paintings, I use the Winsor & Newton Cotman Studio Set of 45 Half Pans. It gives me a wide variety of colors to work with, and the quality is reliable and consistent. I’ve used this set for everything from custom pieces to surface pattern design work.

When I’m traveling or painting on location, I take the Winsor & Newton Cotman Sketcher’s Pocket Set. It’s compact, light, and pairs perfectly with a small notebook or sketchbook. I love how easy it is to just toss in my bag and go.

For Line Work

I also use Sakura Pigma Micron Fineliner Pens when I want to add ink to my pieces. They’re waterproof, which means I can draw first and paint over them without any smudging. I like using different tip sizes depending on the detail I’m going for—sometimes even mixing them within the same piece.