Berlin Drawing Room Blog: technique

I am really looking forward to the start of the Watercolor Workshop! Let's hope for good weather every Saturday when we paint in the field!

To get started with watercolor, the most important single thing is the brush!

Round Sable Watercolor Brush

This sable brush will be an investment, because unlike an oil painting brush, it will last many many years, as long as you only use it with watercolors.

It is also important that you get paper labelled for use with watercolor (Aquarell, Wasserfarbe). Watercolor paper has a high percentage of cotton fibers, best suited to absorb the liquid.

With the paints, you pretty much get what you pay for, in terms of amount of pigment contained within the paint. Therefore I would recommend, when possible, to buy smaller quantities of a higher quality paint if the price is similar to larger quantities of "student grade" paint.

I have included some examples from Boesner of what I consider to be reasonably priced paper and brushes. This is because it is also possible to spend 4x as much, but it is not necessary for this class!

Supply List

Brushes
- Round Brush size 8 (Sable if possible, or synthetic sable)
- Flat Wash Brush 1-2 cm wide (does not need to be sable, can be any type)

Reasonably priced round sable brushes at Boesner

Reasonably priced round synthetic sable brushes at Boesner

Reasonably priced synthetic sable brushes at Boesner

Paper
- Watercolor block A4 or larger (must be 300 g)
- Cold-press

Reasonable priced watercolor blocks at Boesner
left: 30x40 cm costs 14.75 euro, right: 24x30 cm costs 11.78 euro

Paint
Watercolor paints in box (Aquarell Malkasten).

PRIMARIES COOL COLORS WARM COLORS

BLUE Cerulean Blue (or Pthalo Blue) French Ultramarine Blue

RED Alizarin Crimson Cadmium Red

YELLOW Lemon Yellow (Cad.Yellow Pale) Cadmium Yellow

Additional Colors: Payne's Grey, Burnt Sienna

Aquarell Malkasten

Additional Optional Colors: Violet, Greenish Yellow (Green Gold), Permanent Green, Viridian Green, Yellow Ochre, Neutral Tint, your choice!

Some brands have different names for the colors but if you show this list to someone in the store they should be able to advise you.

*Or buy a set, most sets will have what you need plus a few extra.

Other

Roll of white paper towels
Liter plastic water bottle that can be refilled
Cup or jar for water
A couple pencils, a white gum eraser, sharpener

Optional

Masking Fluid
Watercolor block smaller format
Brush case for traveling
Cushion or stool for sitting
Lightweight travel easel

Where to shop

Find out guide to art supply shops in Berlin HERE

The Drawing Room has historically
been a space for sharing ideas
and new discoveries.

The Berlin Drawing Room is a forum for Studio Workshops offered by artist Mira O'Brien. Here you can find updated class information and content related to the workshops. Current, past and prospective students are invited to follow this blog and leave their comments!

Studio Workshops take place primarily in Kreuzberg in Mira's Studio, sometimes traveling to other sites around Berlin. All workshops are taught in English.

The first Studio Workshop was the Summer Drawing Workshop, 2011. After a great response, Mira decided to continue the Drawing Workshop, as well as add several new workshops!

Find descriptions of all classes being offered in the right-hand column!