From Photo to Art
Welcome to a fun and exciting class where you’ll learn to paint a beautiful landscape scene in watercolor using your own reference photo. Below is a detailed materials list. I’ve included sample product links (you can choose ones within your budget) and a list of local Bay Area art supply stores at the end.
I’m really excited to have you in class. Let’s make something beautiful!
🧰 Materials List
1. Reference Materials
- Printed landscape photos (your own or teacher-provided)
Note: In this workshop we’ll use only personal photos. - Optional: Tablet or phone to zoom in and inspect details
2. Watercolor Paper
- 100% cotton watercolor paper, 140 lb (300 gms) – cold press
- Size: 9″ × 12″
- Try a block or pad style so edges stay flat
- Optional Watercolor paper for practice and also good quality for the price Strathmore
- High-end brands like Arches, Fabriano Artistico, Saunders Waterford
- Optional: watercolor sketchbook for practice, thumbnails, studies
3. Watercolor Paints
Here are sample sets you can click to view or purchase. These are not required, just suggestions to help you pick good ones:
Winsor and Newton Cotman Watercolors Pocket Set of 16
Daniel Smith Extra Fine Watercolor – Set of 6, Essentials, 5 ml Tubes
Suggested core colors (you can mix from the set you buy):
- Ultramarine Blue
- Cerulean Blue
- Burnt Sienna
- Burnt Umber
- Raw Sienna
- Yellow Ochre
- Sap Green
- Hooker’s Green
- Payne’s Gray
- Alizarin Crimson
- Lemon Yellow
4. Brushes
Here are some links to purchase different brushes:
Princeton Heritage Synthetic sable Set of 4
- Round brushes: a set (e.g. sizes 4, 6, 8, 10, 12) for general use
(If you already have a large brush, you may not need a separate mop brush.) - Rigger / liner brush for fine lines (tree branches, grasses)
- Optional: Mop brush (for big sky/gradient washes)
- Optional: Flat brush (¾″ or 1″) for even washes and edge
5. Palette
6. Drawing Supplies
- HB or 2H pencil (light sketching)
- Kneaded eraser or soft eraser
- Sketch paper or small sketchbook for thumbnails / preliminary sketches
7. Other Tools & Supplies
- Two water containers (one for rinse, one for clean water)
- Absorbent paper towels or cloth rag
- Masking tape or artist’s tape BUY HERE
- Board or rigid surface to tape paper to (foam board, clipboard, etc.) BUY HERE
- Spray bottle (to re-wet paints or paper)
- Optional: Masking fluid (for reserving whites) You can BUY HERE
- Optional: Hairdryer (to speed drying between layers) — I’ll bring one to class
AVOID BUYING THESE BRANDS THAT ARE NOT GOOD QUALITY
-ARTIST’S LOFT
-Incraftables
-Yasutomo Niji Aquarelle Matte Watercolors
– Angora Watercolor Pan Sets
Artist Materials Suppliers
Locals where most materials can be found- Michaels Stores in San Jose, Lenz– Santa Cruz, Palace Art and Office Supply – Capitola, Blick– San Francisco
University Art – Redwood City
Unique art materials can be found at Maido Santana Row San Jose, and Affordable Treasures Los Gatos.
Online suppliers
Amazon, Jerrys Artarama, Cheap Joes, Jackson’s Art
Some of these online stores will give you a free shipping discount when you buy $45 or more.