How to Choose the Right Watercolor Supplies for Painting Wildlife

As a wildlife watercolor artist, it's important to choose the right supplies to ensure that your paintings are the best they can be.

From paper to paint to brushes, each element of your art supplies can affect the final result of your painting.

Here are some tips for choosing the right watercolor supplies for painting wildlife:

Paper

Choose paper that is specifically designed for watercolor painting.

Look for paper that is acid-free and made of 100% cotton, as this will ensure that the paper doesn't yellow or degrade over time.

For wildlife paintings, you may want to consider a paper with a rough texture, which can help you create the look of fur or feathers.

Paint

Invest in high-quality watercolor paint that is lightfast and transparent. Look for brands that offer a wide range of colors, from warm to cool, bright to subdued and everything in between.

Choose paint that can be easily mixed to create new colors and shades.

I recommend Sennelier. The pigmentation and ease of working with it is always a go to for me. Did you Know I have my own signature series with them? Check it out here.

Brushes

Brushes are the most important tool you'll use when painting. It's best to have a variety of different sizes, but you can get by with just one or two if you're just starting out. Look for brushes with natural bristles and not synthetic ones, which tend to be stiffer and don't absorb water as well.

Other Supplies

There are a few other supplies that you might find useful. Masking fluid is great for protecting certain areas of your paper, whether it's an area you don't want to paint over or an intricate design that needs to be preserved. A spray bottle can be used to create texture or misty effects in your painting. A palette that allows you to mix paint colors without wasting any paint is also essential;

By choosing the right watercolor supplies for your wildlife paintings, you can create artwork that is beautiful, realistic, and long-lasting. Don't be afraid to experiment with different materials and techniques to find what works best for you and your artistic style.