Watercolour for Beginners: Supplies You Actually Need
Quick Answer
If you’re just starting out with watercolour, four things can get you going: good paper (300gsm), a small set of quality paints, one or two reliable brushes, and something to hold water. Start simple, choose the best quality you can afford, and build from there. You’ll learn more from a few good materials than a drawer full of the wrong ones.
Why Watercolour Is the Best Place to Begin
Watercolour is one of the most accessible painting mediums for beginners. In speaking with Opus staff, artists and instructors, a consistent picture begins to emerge of why it’s such a natural place to begin.
Portable and relatively affordable, watercolour has a low barrier to entry, but a surprisingly high ceiling. It doesn’t ask for much space or setup: some paints, a cup of water, a brush, a page, and you’re already there.
More importantly, it invites a different kind of attention. Unlike heavier painting mediums, which often reward control and correction, watercolour asks you to loosen your grip a little, to watch what the paint does, and respond rather than dictate.
For beginners, that can feel both freeing and slightly uncomfortable. There’s no hiding behind layers, no easy undo. But that’s also where the magic sits. A wash spreads, pigments separate, edges bloom, and suddenly something is happening that you didn’t entirely plan.
“The new student often needs permission… to actually be carefree and childlike.” — Sonia Mocnik
Letting go of the idea of a finished picture, even briefly, is often the moment things begin to click.
That sense of immediacy is part of what makes watercolour so compelling. You can take it outside, onto a ferry, into a quiet hour at the kitchen table or a café. A small travel set and a sketchbook are enough to build a habit.
And crucially, it doesn’t demand perfection to be enjoyable. A page of loose marks, colour tests, or unfinished attempts still counts. In fact, it’s often the fastest way in.
The 4 Watercolour Supplies You Actually Need
1. Paper (the one that matters most)
Good watercolour paper makes a noticeable difference. Across the board, staff and artists echoed the same thing: if there’s one place to invest a little more thought (and budget), it’s paper.
Watercolour behaves very differently depending on the surface beneath it. Lower quality paper tends to buckle, pill, or resist the paint entirely, which can make even simple techniques feel frustrating. Better paper absorbs water more evenly, allows colours to blend naturally, and gives you far more control.
As artist and instructor Peri Laine Nilan notes, she often sees students struggle with a technique, only to have it click almost immediately when they switch to better quality paper.
Start with 300gsm (140lb) watercolour paper, ideally cold press. Cotton papers are often considered the gold standard, but high quality cellulose papers are a great, more accessible place to begin.
If you’re unsure, a watercolour block (glued on all sides) can help reduce buckling and make the process feel more forgiving.
2. Paint (less, but better)
You don’t need 24 colours to begin. Starting with fewer watercolour paints will teach you more.
A small, thoughtful palette, typically a warm and cool version of each primary (red, yellow, blue), plus a couple of earth tones like Burnt Sienna, gives you everything you need to mix a wide range of colours.
As Opus staff member Imogen Moffatt observes, beginners often underestimate themselves and reach for the cheapest options available, when in reality, starting with a smaller selection of better quality paints offers a far clearer and more rewarding introduction.
What does matter is pigment quality. Watercolour paints with a stronger pigment load will feel more responsive, more vibrant, and easier to work with, especially when diluted.
3. Brushes (keep it simple)
You don’t need a full brush roll to get started.
One or two good quality brushes, typically a medium round (size 8 or 10) and a smaller detail brush, will cover most of what you need early on.
“It’s often more useful to have one reliable brush than several lower quality ones.”
— Eri Irimagawa
A single good brush can create a surprising range of marks.
4. Water (and something to hold it)
It sounds obvious, but your setup matters.
You’ll need:
A water container
A cloth or paper towel
A surface to mix your paint
This can be as minimal or as portable as you like, from a jar on your desk to a compact travel set with a built in palette.
Choosing Your Watercolour Materials: Where to Start
Once you understand the basics, the next question is usually: what should I actually buy?
The answer depends less on finding the “best” product, and more on finding the right starting point for you.
A simple way to think about it
Level |
Best for |
What to look for |
Suggested approach |
Starting out |
Trying watercolour for the first time |
A small, cohesive set |
Compact paint set, pad or block, 1–2 brushes |
Building confidence |
Learning techniques, colour mixing |
Better pigment, improved paper |
Limited palette, upgraded paper, reliable brush |
Ready to invest |
Developing your style |
Greater nuance and control |
Expanded palette, cotton paper, refined tools |
Starting out: keep it simple, but not limiting
If you’re new to watercolour, a small set can be the easiest way in. Travel sets remove the pressure of choice and allow you to focus on the process.
Ranges like Opus Essential Watercolours offer strong pigment, smooth handling, and a thoughtful colour selection that supports learning without overcomplicating things.
Building confidence: a more intentional palette
As you spend more time with the medium, many artists move towards a more considered setup.
“Working with a more limited palette… is best.”
— Adrien
This shift, from having more to understanding more, is often where confidence begins to grow.
Ready to invest: refining your materials
At this stage, your tools begin to shape your style.
Artist Elena Markelova describes her approach:
“I like a mix of soft natural hair brushes for those initial, fluid washes… and a couple of synthetic ones for more control and finer details.”
Sometimes a small shift in tool leads to a completely different mark on the page.
What Watercolour Beginners Can Skip (For Now)
When you’re starting out, it’s easy to assume you need everything at once.
Common things to avoid:
Buying large paint sets too early
Accumulating too many brushes
Choosing very low quality paper
“Bad material can and will fight you every step.”
Start small. Let your materials earn their place.
A Note on the New Opus Essential Watercolour Colours
This season introduces a new range of Opus Essential Watercolour colours.
“What stood out to me right away was the range of granulating options… it immediately sparked ideas for new work.”
— Elena Markelova
These colours offer a strong balance between accessibility and performance, making them a solid choice for both beginners and more experienced painters.
FAQ: Getting Started with Watercolour
If you’re new to watercolour, these common questions should help you get started with confidence.
What’s the difference between student and artist grade watercolours?
Student grade paints are more affordable and contain less pigment. Artist grade paints offer stronger colour, better mixing, and more predictable results.
Do I need expensive brushes to start?
No. One or two well made brushes will take you much further than a large set of cheaper ones.
What paper should I start with?
What watercolour paper should I start with?
Look for 300gsm (140lb) paper. Cold press is the most versatile starting point.
Do I need a full watercolour kit?
Not at all. A small set of paints, a couple of brushes, and good paper is enough to begin.
Can I paint outdoors as a beginner?
Absolutely. A travel set and sketchbook are enough to get started almost anywhere.