Figure Painting with Watercolor
Instructor: Bonnie Steinsnyder and Wennie Huang
Supply list for Bonnie Steinsnyder’s class:
- Sketch book, 6”x8”
- 140 lb cold press Arches (or Saunders, New York Central, Blick Studio Premier) watercolor block 9” x 12” or larger 140 lb cold press
- Strathmore 300 series, 9” x 12” ( inexpensive paper for experiments)
- White plastic palettes, covered or foldable, I recommend the Mijello Fusion Airtight/Leakproof Palette 18 wells with a central mixing space
- Plastic water container
- Paper towels (Bounty or Viva)
- 2B or HB pencils
- Kneaded eraser
- Small natural sponge (optional)
- Masking tape (neutral color)
- Small pallet knife
- Heavy cardboard or plexiglass just a bit bigger than the paper you use (secure loose paper by taping to board)
- Masking fluid + cheap brush (optional)
- White china marker—wax pencil (optional)
- Brush sizes #6 (small brush), #10 (medium brush) (I like Sceptre Gold sable/synthetic brushes made by Winsor Newton) , 1” flat brush, and a small flat inexpensive synthetic brush for lifts.
- Watercolor Paint Tubes: All professional lines of watercolor are okay but I often use Winsor Newton, Schminke, Holbein, Daniel Smith and Rembrandt. Cotman and Academy are acceptable student paints but it is easier to work with a good pro paint. Professional grade paints have less filler so it lasts longer. Avoid Reeves paint or children’s pan sets. NO black or white to start with.
- You can put the color in the palette in this order.
- • Winsor Yellow
• Cadmium yellow medium
• Raw Sienna
• Yellow Ochre
• Burnt Sienna
• Winsor Red
• Alizarine Crimson
• Quinacridone Magenta
• Ultramarine Blue
• Winsor Blue red shade (from Winsor Newton)
• Winsor Green blue shade
• Sap Green (the best one is from Schminke)
• Burnt Umber
• Winsor Newton Payne’s Gray (optional)
Supply List for Wennie Huang’s Class
Watercolor Paints: (Liquid in Tubes preferred)
RECOMMENDED COLORS (you don't need to have all of the colors, but try for at least one or two from each of the rainbow hues below) - I use Van Gogh, Sennelier, Winsor Newton, and Rembrandt brands.
- alizarin crimson
- permanent rose or opera rose
- cadmium red light or vermilion
- burnt sienna
- venetian red or transparent red oxide
- cadmium yellow light or hansa or azo yellow
- Naples yellow
- raw sienna
- viridian green
- ultramarine blue or cobalt blue
- cerulean blue
- prussian blue
- indigo
- payne’s gray
Brushes:
- #8 and or #10 Sable round short-handle watercolor brush w/good tip - I use Raphael brand (botanical brush with beige tip or in larger sizes with orange tip)
- #3 Petit Gris Mop Quill brush - I use Raphael brand
- ¾” - 1" watercolor flat - sable or synthetic - I use Winsor Newton One Stroke line
Buy what’s in your budget: below are links for what I use, however synthetics can work, too -use the following as general guide for sizes:
Watercolor Paper
- 140 lb. Cold Press. Arches blocks - 10" x14" or larger up to 14" x 20" (Green Cover)
- You can also purchase full loose sheets and cut them down which tends to be more economical
- Other brands to try Saunders, and Blick Studio Premier
- Smooth or Vellum Bristol Board, 14 x 17 size is slick and cheaper and fun to paint on even though there is no sizing - great for warm-ups too
Palette:
- White enamel metal palette (butcher’s tray) for mixing liquid paints or the white mixing surface that comes with your paint kit NO plastic circular palettes and any palettes which are not white.
- White porcelain dish can be used in a pinch
- NO plastic circular palettes or any palettes which are not white
Miscellaneous:
- Spray bottle for misting palette - I love this one!
- Two clear glass or plastic containers for water
- #2 Pencil and eraser and sharpener
- Small sketch pad, pencil and eraser to make thumbnail sketches
- Bounty or Viva Paper towels or Kleenex for blotting
- 1/2" Thin Artists Tape / Clips