Foundations: Materials List

Please note:
As this is a concepts course rather than a technique class for a specific medium there are no specific requirements – you are free to use whatever you would like.

Lesson 1 will include more detailed discussion of different materials in relation to sketching so I request that any questions are reserved till you have reviewed this lesson.

The basic requirements :
– a medium pencil (B or 2B)
– a permanent fineliner pen
– some form of colour (watercolour pencils or watercolour paint or coloured pencils or markers)
– paper suitable for your choice of medium (sketchbook rather than loose sheets is encouraged)

Each lesson will include an exercise that is based on an object that can be found in the home. Many of these exercises are line-based and do not need colour. However, if you are like me, you will want to add colour. This is purely up to you! The other exercise is an outdoor prompt and it would be best in most cases to include colour.

I will be demonstrating the use of a range of materials – mostly ink, watercolour and watercolour pencils and working in a sketchbook. Please do not feel there is any need to buy new materials to match mine. I would prefer that you really test and get to know what you already have before you rush out and spend up.

General Recommendations and Advice

Sketchbooks/Paper

– The choice of paper/sketchbooks is quite dependent on the materials you intend to use.
– Working in a sketchbook rather than loose sheets of paper is encouraged as it will create a narrative of your work during the course.
– There are many many sketchbooks available – Stillman & Birn, Moleskine, Strathmore, Canson etc.
– You can read more about the ones I use here
– I find the Stillman & Birn Alpha sketchbook is a great everyday sketchbook. It is not watercolour paper but I use a LOT of water and pigment on mine and am happy with the results. It will be suitable for all of the exercises we will be doing.

I will be using two sketchbooks – Alpha sketchbook for the indoor exercises and a watercolour sketchbook A4 size for my outdoor Sydney adventures (either Moleskine watercolour A4 or Stillman & Birn Zeta)

Pencil

– Any brand of pencil will do! B or 2B.
– I currently use a water soluble graphite pencil – details below (but a normal pencil is fine!)

Pens

– Black Permanent fineliner Pen – 0.3mm is a good general size. Some brands. Unipin, Micron, Pitt (superfine), Zig.
– Or a fountain pen with permanent ink (Carbon Platinum or De Atramentis Document Ink)

Watercolour Paints

– This is not a watercolour course so I am happy for you to use whatever kit you have – we will be looking at general colour principles which translate to any media.
– I do believe that you should buy the best quality you can afford and I recommend artists quality over student grade.
– There is no need to have a watercolour set at all – please feel free to use whatever form of colour you are comfortable with.

I have listed a recommended basic palette of 6 colours below.
– I use Daniel Smith paint and highly recommend them but have included alternative colours in Winsor & Newton and Schmincke.
– I try to use transparent pigments as much as possible. (ie. I do not recommend the Cadmium colours)
– A full description is on my blog – including links to my 12 colour and 16 colour palette for those that want to go wild!

I have a separate course dedicated to Watercolour – if you would like to find out more about paint, brushes and sketchbooks for watercolour please sign up for the free intro lessons here.

Watercolour Pencils

– These are optional. I will be using them during some of the weekly exercises and my on location sketches during the course but they are secondary to my watercolour paints. Refer to this post on my blog for more details.
– Any brand or colours is fine: Derwent, Derwent Inktense, Faber Castell, Caran d’Ache, Lyra Rembrandt Aquarell, Prismacolor

Brushes (if you are using watersoluble media)

– A medium or large waterbrush (Zig, Pentel, Niji).
– And/or  A No. 6 or 8 Round brush – sable or synthetic.
– I prefer to use a sable brush over a waterbrush but there is no doubt that a waterbrush is very convenient when out on location.

Detailed Listing of Liz Steel’s kit:

Pencil
Faber Castell Graphite Aquarelle 2B

Pen
Lamy safari or joy pen with EF nib. De Atramentis Document Ink – black

Sketchbook
Stillman & Birn Alpha – 2 favourite sizes Hardbound 5.5 x 8.5 (A5 portrait) and 9 x 6 (landscape)
Moleskine Watercolour Folio A4 and/or A4 Stillman & Birn Zeta

Watercolours – A full description is here
Daniel Smith colours:
1. Hansa Yellow Medium
2. Quinacridone Rose
3. Ultramarine Blue
4. Burnt Sienna or  Transparent Red Oxide
5. Cerulean Blue Chromium
6. Monte Amiata Natural Sienna

Alternative: Winsor & Newton
1. Winsor Yellow
2. Permanent Rose
3. French Ultramarine
4. Burnt Sienna
5. Cerulean Blue
6. Raw Sienna

Alternative: Schmincke
1. Pure Yellow
2. Ruby Red
3. Ultramarine Finest
4. Translucent Brown
5. Cobalt Cerulean Blue
6. Raw Sienna

Brushes
Rosemary Brushes R2 Pocket Brush Sable #8
Pentel AquashLarge Waterbrush

Watercolour pencils  – Refer to this post for more details
Faber Castel Albrecht Durer:
– Cadmium Yellow 107
– Deep Scarlet Red 219
– Middle Purple Pink 125
– Dark Indigo 157
– Ultramarine 120
– Permanent Green Olive 167
– Brown Ochre 182
– Burnt Sienna 283
– Walnut Brown 177
– Warm Grey IV 273

SketchingNow Foundations Materials List downloadable PDF