Watercolors with Geraldine Kovats

 SUPPLY LIST

A Note to Painters Hello, I’m looking forward to painting with you! Whether or not you’re familiar with watercolors we can always advance our skills. We’ll work from life, which intensifies our understanding of the visual field--making every excursion, however far or near, a true adventure. To get started you’ll need paper, paints, and brushes, also a palette, water pot, and towels. In the pages following you’ll find specific recommendations for your materials. During our first meeting, I’ll show you what I used to paint the backgrounds on Disney’s, Lilo & Stitch, and Mathias Poledna’s film, Imitation of Life (done in the style of Disney’s, Snow White), as well as my own personal style. More than any other medium, watercolors require a feel for the materials, which comes only with practice. Once you’ve acquired that feel, you can control and master the medium. In my opinion, watercolors are the most exciting of all painting media. Best wishes, Geraldine                    

                                         

CHOOSE YOUR PAPER

You’ll want paper with a pristine, unmarred surface that can withstand numerous washes, and one that will remain relatively flat.

                                                 

Sheets: Arches Cold Press Watercolor Paper, 300-400 lb. (paper can be cut to size)

(anything lighter in weight will need to be stretched; I’ll discuss this when we meet.)

     Need to tape or tack your loose sheet to a board?

Helix, Metal Edged Drawing Board (great for stretching too)

           

Or, Arches Cold Press Watercolor Block, 300 lb. (any size you prefer)

Or, Moleskine Art Plus Watercolor Album (any size)

PAINTS

Watercolors come in tubes or pans, can be grainy or smooth, opaque or transparent. Unlike other paint media, you don’t need many colors. If you like,

five will do!

(Note: Minimum required paints in watercolor differ from opaque media, such as oils, acrylics, and gouache)

Use tubes or pans (you can squeeze tube paint into your palette pans and let them dry).

The following colors are non-granulating and preferred for transparent layering. You may choose to work opaquely, or with granulating colors, and that’s fine too.

http://www.winsornewton.com/na/shop/water-colour/professional-water-colour

1. Permanent Rose

(optional addition) Winsor Red

2. Aureolin

(optional additions) Cadmium Yellow Deep, Winsor Lemon

3. Winsor Green (Blue shade)

4. Winsor Blue (Green shade)

5. Winsor Violet (Dioxazine)

(optional addition) White gouache

Alternatively, these watercolor paints offer different properties with regard to granulation, opacity, texture, etc. You might visit the makers’ sites to learn more…

http://www.dickblick.com/products/schmincke-horadam-aquarell-artist-watercolors/

http://www.dickblick.com/products/daniel-smith-extra-fine-watercolors/

http://www.dickblick.com/products/m-graham-artists-watercolors/

http://www.dickblick.com/products/old-holland-classic-artist-watercolors/

http://www.dickblick.com/products/sennelier-french-artists-watercolor-tubes/

BRUSHES

Sumi brushes release paint with only the slightest touch to paper, thus giving the painter more opportunity to layer colors without damage to the surface of

the paper. Sables have a long history in European watercolor painting and prized for their lasting qualities.

You’lll need one of these for large washes:

Hake Brush and/ or Squirrel Mop Brush

 

And one or more of these for forms and details:

Yasutomo Hoboku Brush                    Or, Sable Round  

 

(These waterbrushes won’t last as long but have a handy water-holding handle):

Or, Niji Waterbrush  

 

 

PALETTE

So many options…here are few good ones.

Schmincke Watercolor Tins or Pans

                 

Or, Original John Pike Palette

 

Or, Winsor & Newton Artists Field Box

Crazy about watercolor boxes? You can get on a waiting list here! ;-)

http://www.littlebrassbox.com/product.html

EASEL

An easel allows you complete freedom to set up your workstation anywhere you like. On the next page, you’ll find easels uniquely capable of rotating to a flat, or slightly inclined position—important for watercolors.

Mabef Mbm-29 Basic Large Field Easel

Or, Mabef Field Easel M-26

Or, Aluminum Watercolor Field Easel by Jullian

                           

 

Or, have it all:

http://www.enpleinairpro.com/traveler_watercolor_easel.html

 

 

Or, skip the easel altogether, and hold a sketchbook in your hand…

Moleskine Art Plus Watercolor Album

   

EXTRAS

You’ll definitely need a pot of water, and maybe a few other things…

Paper Towels or Rag

Kleenex Tissues

Water pot or jar (if carrying space is tight, choose a collapsible waterpot)

Optional:

Graphite Pencil: HB or 2H Drawing, and Sharpener

Kneaded Eraser

Staedtler Mars Latex-Free Eraser, White

Masking Fluid

Sea Sponge

Tube of White Gouache

Ruler

Drafting Tape

Colored Pencils