There’s something about fall on the Island that inspires creativity. Maybe it’s the crisp air, the golden light, or the slower pace as we ease out of summer and back into cozy routines. Or maybe it’s the rain.
Whatever the reason, autumn is the perfect season to pick up a new artistic hobby! We find that watercolour painting is a beautiful (and beginner-friendly!) place to start.
Whether you’re painting misty local landscapes or a simple still life at your kitchen table, watercolour allows you to slow down, express yourself, and connect with your creative side. And the best part? You don’t need a whole studio to get started; Just a few key supplies that we carry here at Monk Office, and your imagination.
The Essentials: Watercolour Painting Supplies
If you’re new to painting, don’t worry, you won’t need a cart full of gear to begin. Start with these basic items:
1. Watercolour Paints
Choose a beginner set of watercolours in either pans or tubes. Your first instinct may be to buy ALL the colours, but sticking to 8 – 10 colours will help keep you from being overwhelmed.
Choose colours such as:
- Lemon Yellow
- Yellow Ochre
- Alizarin Crimson
- Burnt Sienna
- Oxide of Chromium
- Cobalt Blue Hue
- Payne’s Grey
- Ivory Black
- White (any shade to start!)
Pro-tip: Many consider pans to be the more beginner-friendly option, as they are more compact and less messy. If you’ve already purchased tubes of colours, fret not! You can use empty half or full pans, fill them, and let them dry to create your own pans.
2. Watercolour Paper
Watercolour paper is thicker and specially designed to absorb paint and water without buckling, unlike regular printer paper. Look for 300 GSM paper in a student grade as an affordable beginner option. We carry many grades of paper from student to professional, available bound or in single sheets.
3. Brushes
Start your watercolour journey with one or two round brushes between sizes 2 – 6, as well as a flat brush for washes. Look for soft synthetic sable brushes made for watercolour use. Your brush should be flexible, soft, and a bit springy, returning to a point when lifted from the paper.
4. A Mixing Palette
Most paint sets come with a palette where you can experiment with mixing colours. If not, don’t run out to buy something fancy – you can use a clean white ceramic plate to mix your colours.
5. Water Cup + Paper Towel
You’ll want a container of clean water for rinsing your brush and a paper towel or cloth to blot and control water flow. You might want to consider a tablecloth, too!
Creating Your First Masterpiece
Remember, a new hobby is supposed to be FUN! Enjoy the process, and keep these tips in mind:
Start Simple
It can be tempting to jump right into landscapes, but the best thing to start with is swatching your colours. This way, you can practice loading your brush and discovering how much pressure and control to apply to get your desired colours on the paper. You can practice techniques like washing, lifting, and blotting. Once you’ve got the hang of those, you can start experimenting with simple shapes such as a fall leaf, a pumpkin, or a soft autumn sunset. Local inspiration is everywhere— take a walk along the harbour and see what catches your eye.
Play With Different Techniques
Watercolour is all about letting go of rigid expectations and experimenting with soft edges and layering. Have fun experimenting with different techniques. We like this video to learn the basics!
Don’t Be Afraid of Mistakes
Some of the most beautiful watercolour effects come from letting go and seeing where the colours take you. Accidents are part of the process and often result in unexpectedly beautiful pieces.
Join a Local Class or Meetup
Here on Vancouver Island, there are plenty of art groups and workshops. Whether online or in-person, joining a class or meetup can be a great way to get out of the house, meet new people, and expand your creativity.
Think Creative, Think Monk
We believe creativity is an essential part of life! We’re proud to support our local artists and hobbyists with quality art supplies for every creative stage – whether it’s picking up a brush for the first time, or the first time in years. Visit one of our Monk Office & Art locations in Victoria, Sidney, or Courtenay, and any one of our Team Members will be happy to help you find what you need to get started.
This fall, pour yourself a cup of tea, put on your coziest sweater, and give watercolour painting a try. We have everything you need to get started.