When I first started painting with watercolors, I remember standing in the art supply shop completely overwhelmed.
There were entire walls of watercolor paints. Dozens of brushes in every shape and size. Watercolor papers with different weights, textures, and finishes. And I remember thinking:
I need all of this just to begin.
But I didn’t.
And neither do you.
Over the years, after teaching hundreds of students and reflecting on my own beginnings, I’ve come to understand something quietly important:
The simpler your watercolor setup is at the beginning, the easier it becomes to truly learn the medium.
Fewer supplies mean fewer distractions. More attention goes toward what actually matters:
- Understanding water,
- Observing pigment, and
- Learning how watercolor moves across the paper.
That is where real progress begins.
So let me walk you through the minimum watercolor supplies you actually need to start painting, without the overwhelm.
What Watercolor Supplies Do Beginners Actually Need?
Less than you think.
To start watercolor painting, you only need:
- Watercolor paper
- A small selection of watercolor paints
- Two brushes
- Two water containers
- Paper towel or cloth
- A pencil for sketching, and
- Something to mix your colors on (even a simple ceramic plate works beautifully)
That’s it.
I know it can feel like there should be more.
But watercolor is, at its heart, a very honest medium.
It does not ask for endless tools or expensive materials. What it asks for is observation, patience, and a willingness to slow down enough to understand how water and pigment behave together.
And often, the fewer distractions you have from supplies, the more space there is for that learning to happen.
If you'd prefer to see these materials visually, I also created a YouTube video where I walk through the minimum watercolor tools I personally recommend for beginners:
1. What Is the Most Important Watercolor Supply?
If I had to choose one watercolor supply that makes the biggest difference for beginners, I would choose watercolor paper without hesitation.
Not the fanciest brush.
Not the most expensive paints.
Here’s why this matters so much:
Watercolor is a water-based medium, which means the paper is doing an enormous amount of work. It holds the water, allows pigments to blend naturally, and gives you time to soften edges, layer colors, and make adjustments before everything dries.
Poor watercolor paper struggles to hold water properly.
It can:
- Buckle quickly
- Dry unevenly
- Create patchy blends
- Damage easily with layering
And honestly, many beginners believe they are “bad at watercolor” when in reality, they are simply working against poor paper.
I remember feeling this myself in the beginning.
I kept trying to fix my paintings by adding more paint or changing my technique, when the real problem was that the paper simply couldn’t support the process.
Good watercolor paper changes the experience completely.
I recommend:
at least 300gsm watercolor paper, either cold-pressed or hot-pressed
Both surfaces are beautiful. Personally, I often prefer hot-pressed watercolor paper because I enjoy smoother detail work, but it depends entirely on your painting style and preferences.
If you decide to invest more money into one watercolor supply as a beginner, let it be the paper.
2. You Only Need a Small Watercolor Palette
One of the biggest beginner mistakes is buying huge watercolor sets immediately.
But in reality, you can create an incredible range of colors using only a few pigments.
If your budget is limited, start with: Yellow | Red | Blue | Green | Pink
Even three primary colors alone can create hundreds of beautiful watercolor mixtures.
For example, I painted an entire Flower color wheel using only three pigments:
Lemon Yellow | Permanent Rose | Ultramarine Blue
And yet the variety of colors was enormous. Watercolor is not about owning more pigments. It is about understanding the pigments you already have.
Another important thing beginners should know:
You do not need expensive professional paints immediately.
Student-grade watercolor paints can still create beautiful results, especially when paired with good paper.
Over time, as your understanding grows, you can slowly upgrade your palette naturally.
3. Two Watercolor Brushes to Begin Your Watercolor Journey
You can paint most watercolor subjects using only two brushes.
The brushes I personally use most often are:
These two brushes are incredibly versatile and can handle:
- Loose washes
- Botanical details
- Layering
- Fine lines
- Expressive brushwork
Many beginners assume they need dozens of brushes.
You truly do not.
A few familiar tools used consistently are often far more valuable than a large collection you barely understand.
4. Simple Drawing Tools Matter More Than Fancy Accessories
Before the paint even touches the paper, most watercolor paintings begin with a sketch.
And for that, you only need a few very simple tools.
Kristine recommends keeping your drawing supplies minimal:
- A few graphite pencils
- A soft white eraser
- A kneadable eraser
- An ink pen or marker for notes and signatures
You do not need an expensive sketching kit.
Even basic pencils can help you plan compositions, study shapes, and build confidence before painting.
Kristine personally uses several pencil grades for different purposes:
3B and 2B pencils for softer graphite studies
3H pencils for lighter construction sketches that won’t show heavily through watercolor layers
A kneadable eraser is especially useful because it gently lifts graphite without damaging the watercolor paper surface.
These small tools may seem simple, but they quietly become part of your creative rhythm over time.
5. Water and Paper Towels Are Part of the Process
Watercolor painting is really a balance between water, pigment, and timing.
So your water containers and towels are not just “extra” supplies, they are part of the painting process itself.
I personally like havin, two water containers: one for rinsing dirty brushes, one for cleaner water mixing
And alongside them: paper towels or a soft cotton cloth
These help absorb excess moisture, soften edges, lift pigment, and clean brushes while painting.
Some artists prefer reusable cloths, while others enjoy starting each painting session with a fresh paper towel.
There is no right or wrong here.
Only what feels comfortable for you and your workflow.
The Real Secret: Start Before You Feel Ready
One thing I truly believe is this:
You do not need everything before you begin.
Not in watercolor.
Not in knitting.
Not in sewing.
Not in any creative hobby.
You simply need enough to start.
- Your first brush.
- Your first sheet of paper.
- Your first small palette of colors.
Over time, your preferences will naturally grow from experience.
You will begin noticing:
- Which brushes you use most often
- Which pigments you actually reach for
- What paper textures feel best for your painting style
- But none of that clarity appears before you start painting.
It appears through painting.
And honestly, this is why I think keeping your watercolor supplies simple in the beginning is so important.
It removes pressure.
It removes comparison.
It removes the feeling that you need to become an expert before making your first brushstroke. If perfectionism has ever stopped you from creating, I also wrote more about this here: How to Overcome Perfectionism in Your Art and Life
And if you’re looking for a gentle place to begin, I created my Watercolor 101 Guide specifically for beginners who feel overwhelmed by where to start.
Inside the free watercolor guide, you’ll find 40 beginner-friendly watercolor exercises, practical tips, and step-by-step lessons designed to help you build confidence, one brushstroke at a time.
With love,
Kristine
FAQ: Beginner Watercolor Supplies
What are the basic watercolor supplies for beginners?
Beginners only need watercolor paper, a small paint palette, two brushes, water containers, paper towel, pencils, and an eraser.
What is the most important watercolor supply?
Watercolor paper makes the biggest difference because it affects blending, layering, and water control.
Do beginners need expensive watercolor paints?
No. Student-grade watercolor paints are completely fine for learning watercolor fundamentals.
How many watercolor brushes do beginners need?
Two brushes are enough: one medium round brush and one small detail brush.
Should beginners buy lots of watercolor colors?
No. A limited palette helps beginners learn color mixing faster and reduces overwhelm.
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