How to care for watercolour brushes: the habits that make them last
A good watercolour brush looked after correctly will outlast a cheap one by years. The habits that protect it take less than two minutes per session.
Materials
Reviews
The best watercolour brushes under £30: tested and recommended
You do not need to spend a lot to get a watercolour brush that works. Here are the sub-£30 brushes worth buying and what each does best.
Materials
Kolinsky sable vs synthetic brushes: is the difference worth the price
The gap between kolinsky sable and the best synthetic brushes has narrowed considerably. Whether it has narrowed enough depends on how and what you paint.
Materials
Earth pigments in watercolour: PY43, PR101 and why the codes matter
Two tubes labelled Yellow Ochre can behave very differently in a wash. The pigment code tells you which one you have.
Materials
Where to buy watercolour paper in the US: a guide by format and budget
The right supplier depends on whether you want individual sheets, blocks, or pads, and how far you are willing to travel or wait for delivery.
Materials
Where to buy watercolour paper in the UK: a guide by format and budget
The right supplier depends on whether you want individual sheets, blocks, or pads, and how much you want to spend on postage.
Materials
Best hot press watercolour paper for botanical work
Materials Paper Guide Hot press paper rewards precision and punishes impatience. For botanical work, fine detail, and pen and wash,
Technique
How to mix neutrals in watercolour without mud
Technique Colour Guide Mud in watercolour almost always comes from one of two things: the wrong pigment combination, or touching
Materials
Watercolour brush shapes: what each one actually does
Materials Brushes Guide Watercolour brush sets tend to contain more shapes than most painters end up using. Understanding what each
Technique
Wet on dry watercolour: structure without losing freshness
Technique Paint Guide Wet on dry has a reputation for producing stiff, overworked results. That reputation is about poor execution,