TONY  WARREN

WINNING WITH WATERCOLOR

Recommended Workshop Materials List

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I firmly believe that craftsmanship is an important part of producing quality artwork; mediocre materials produce inferior results. Most of us don't start out with a professional cache of tools, so the materials that you feel most comfortable with will be fine. The list below is what I have been using after 40 years of experimentation and makes painting so much simpler for me.

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Watercolor Papers

110lb Office Index Stock for practice, great for quick studies and brush exercises, Aquabee              Super Deluxe Sketchbook 11" x 14" watercolor spiral pad, 140 lb or heavier cold pressed 100% rag watercolor blocks or sheets, I like 22" x 30" or smaller. Hot press-smooth / cold press-slight texture / rough-heavy texture (internal or externally sized-more size less absorbent). Recommended Brands: Kilimanjaro, Arches, Fabriano, Winsor & Newton

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Watercolor Pigments

Recommended Brands: Da Vinci, American Journey, Grumbacher Finest, Winsor & Newton, Holbien or any quality professional-permanent artists grade paint. I like 37ml tubes, ready to work and a better buy. Below are the colors as arranged in my pallet in order. (See *Note below)

  COLORS:  Paynes Grey, Pthalo Blue (cool)*, Ultramarine Blue*, Cobalt Blue, Cerulean Blue                               Pthalo Green (cool)*, Olive Green, Cobalt Violet, Quinacridone Alizarin Crimson*,                               Quinacridone Permanent Rose, Cadmium Red Light*, Cadmium Orange, Cadmium Yellow                   Light*, Yellow Ochre*, Raw Umber, Burnt Sienna*, Burnt Umber

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Watercolor Tools*

Pallet with at least 16 wells*                           Pebeo or similar masking fluid

I use a 13" x 16" butcher tray                         Small spray bottle with pump or trigger

Water container about 24 oz.*                        Large kneaded eraser*

1 large and 1 small absorbent sponge*            Single edge razor blade or old credit card*

Drafting or masking tape 3/4"*                       Small bar of Ivory soap*

Exacto knife and #11 blades                          Gum Arabic 7 rubbing alcohol

Roll of white toilet tissue*                              Mouth atomizer

Mechanical or #2 pencils*                              Old toothbrush*

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Watercolor Brushes

1 1/2"* & 1" white taklon or nylon one stroke flats, 3/4"*, 1/2" & 1/4" white taklon or nylon beveled handle aquarelle style flats, #8, #6* and #2 good quality synthetic rounds, #6 long hair "rigger"*, an old medium bristle brush for scrubbing. (Wash, rinse and set after each session)

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Reference Materials

Sketches and or photographs of subject matter you have experienced or photographed first hand. No calendar art please! You will also need a small 8" x 10" sketch book* for working up your compositions.

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*Note:

Only the asterisk (*) marked colors and materials are needed, the rest are for convenience.

Don't worry about what you don't have in the way of materials. I only use about 30% of my stuff. The magic is not in your tools ... it's in you! Have fun-

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