Additional Supplies

Here's links to supplies that will round out your watercolor tools. I have two sections – the first list is must haves. The second include things like an iPad. If you don't own one consider for the future. If you do have one check out my YouTube video and hoe to get the most out of it. 
 Royal & Langnickel Sorrento Tabletop Easel
I carry this easel to all of my classes and workshops. I also use it in my studio. It's lightweight, rugged and compact. I've been using it daily for five years. Did you know Royal & Langnickel is in my backyard. Their headquarters is located in Munster, IN.

If you can’t afford a tabletop easel prop-up your painting board with a roll of toweling paper
18” X 24" x 3/4” DRAWING BOARD ​
  • Dimensions: 18” x 24” x ¾”
  • Ideal for drawing and drafting students
  • Honeycomb interior makes board lightweight and portable
  • Unfinished wood veneer surfaces and aluminum side edges
  • Solid wood frame for strength and rigidity
NOTE: In the video Essential Watercolors for the Successful Artist I also suggested going to your local lumberyard and getting a thin, lightweight masonite board. The will cut to the size you need for a nominal cost.
MEEDEN watercoloR palettE travel paint tray
​MEEDEN Airtight leakproof watercolor palette
travel paint tray. I personally prefer this palette 
because it’s easy to transport.
  • Keeps paint fresh 
  • Large Capacity - 33 deep slanted wells. Each well size: 1.37”long x 1”wide. The folding palette has a large color mixing tray, they lie flat and perfect for mixing once you open the paint palette fully
 
2b pencil and ebony pencil
​Faber-Castell Pencils, Castell 9000 Graphite art 2B pencils for drawing and sketching
Prismacolor Premier Ebony Graphite Sketching Pencils, Jet Black, Extra Smooth
Kneaded eraser
Large Grey Kneaded Eraser
by Faber Castell
  • Extremely kneadable and very absorbent
  • Leaves no residue behind
  • PVC free
Paper towels
I like the half sheets rolls. 
X-ACTO KNIFE
​
  • Precision knife with #2 large fine point blade for exact cuts
  • Designed to cut medium- to heavy-weight materials
  • Medium-weight aluminum handle is easy to maneuver
  • Easy-change blade system
  • Safety cap for storage and portability
 SMALL SPRAY BOTTLE
You can pick up a small spray bottle at the Dollar Store, hardware store or your local supermarket. Or grab this deal from Tolco Empty Spray Bottle 8 oz. Frosted Assorted Colors (Pack of 3.) Keep all three or find a friend.

NOTE: Watch the video Essential Watercolors for the Successful Artist and  learn my secret trick I do to make my spray bottle spit.
SPONGE
Stop by the Dollar Store and pick up a  cellulose sponge or click on the BUY HERE button and pick up an eight-pack of sponges. This should last a long time unless you have some spring cleaning!
OLD TOOTHBRUSH 
Use an old toothbrush or head over to the Dollar Store and pick up a medium bristle, flat-top brush. As some of you know I take my wife's toothbrush when she's not looking. :-))
​WATER CONTAINER
Find a container that holds a quart of water. I use an old DVD spindle cover. ​
MASKING TAPE (NO COLORED TAPE)
Tarol Masking Tape (Huge Pack of 6) Each Roll is ¾" x 33 Yards.

Here's why you don't use color tape – THIS IS IMPORTANT – the colors will influence your painting.
Non Essential  Supplies, but Nice to Have Onhand
ART MASKING FLUID
Apply with a toothpick or a wooden skewer. If you use an old paintbrush you don't mind ruining soap up with bar soup. If using a lot of masking fluid repeat often.. Wash immediately.
RUBBER CEMENT PICKUP
Use tool to pick up art masking fluid without damaging you painting.
​If You Can Afford These Supplies
iPAD
To view the video on your smart phone turn horizontal.
.I have gone through two iPads in my professional art career.  I would be lost without it. Besides sending emails to students and others I carry my portfolio, keep business records, calendar appointments, and photos. I paint from it, snap a picture as I go through the different stages of painting and so much more. 

I have been asked about painting from a smartphone but I say no. It's too small and why get eyestrain. 

There are a variety of iPads so go to an Apple store or a third-party Apple-approved retailer like  Costco, Best Buy or B & H Photography, AMAZON and compare sizes, if you want Wi-Fi or Wi-Fi + Cellular (you are assigned a phone number which allows you to surf on the road but there are additional data charges), storage starts at 64 GB, and of course cost. I also recommend you buy Apple's AppleCare. Apple offers incredible service including phone and in-store. Well worth it. Once you have your information and what you want checkout online stores like Amazon. Oh, make sure you get the newest model you can afford. As the machine gets older software cannot be updated. 
​
My friend and co-teacher Robert J Krajecki's wife, Judy owns the iPad Pro. She is an amazing portrait artist and takes weekly life drawing classes. Typically she would set-up her drawing board with charcoal paper and started sketching. One day she sat next to a woman who was using her iPad Pro instead of the traditional charcoal and shammy.

The newest iPad Pro comes in 11-inch or 12.9-inch, storage starting at 64 GB, and allows you to sketch with the Apple Pencil. That's what Judy uses with an app called Procreate ($9.99.) I wish I could show you how awesome her sketches are and yes they look like charcoal drawings because of the app – VERY IMPRESSIVE!!!  I'm not going to fool you, it's a pricy piece of machinery but it may replace your laptop or desktop computer! To read more go to Apple iPad Pro go​ HERE. 

Here's a quick video I created about using the iPad – Tips & Techniques Thursdays: How to Use Your iPad as an Integral Artist's Tool. I created 11/05/2015. In the last few years, Apple has made some improvements like AirDrop which is not covered in this video. If you would like to learn or about this valuable function watch this video created by Apple Support. CLICK HERE 

The video in this section, Tips & Techniques Thursdays is how I personally use my iPad as an essential artist's tool. When I 'm working with my students and during demos, artists are intrigued with the way I alter photos' colors and values in seconds to create a stronger, more dynamic photo reference. In addition, I'll share how to download your camera's memory card. See how I will use this powerful smart tablet and why I think its one of my Essential Artist's tools. 
ipad case
This is a must. The case protects your expensive investment. A case is a personal choice but make sure it's durable especially for plein air painting. I know artists who find their plein air location, snap a pic of the scene and clip it to their board with a Tryone Gooseneck  Tablet Stand Mount Holder. See below. Why? This gives them a reference point where they started.
TRYONE GOOSENECK TABLET STAND, TABLET MOUNT HOLDER FOR IPAD IPHONE SERIES/NINTENDO SWITCH/SAMSUNG GALAXY TABS/AMAZON KINDLE FIRE HD AND MORE
My boss Frankie Johnson at Mainstreet Art Center bought a slew of Tryone Gooseneck Tablet Stand for her students. As you may know, I'm a huge iPad user but I always wanted to position it at eye level. Well, my wish has come true.
Preserving
Krystal Seal Self-Sealing Art, Print, and Photo Bag Pack 
I have used several different brands of plastic  bags but I like Krystal Seal Bags because they are easy to use, durable and crystal clear. Simply slip your mounted or unmounted art into a Krystal Seal Bag, fold over the resealable flap, and you’re ready to display or store your art in a print rack, flat file, portfolio, or storage box — while protecting it from dust, dirt, and fingerprints.

My go-to place for these bags is Blicks. They offer a wide variety​ of sizes.