Extra Watercolor Supplies: Get to Know Your Supplies Series

Okay, we covered the big ones already, now let's look at all the extra watercolor supplies one might need to get started.

Now listen, y'all...These are my own recommendations, you might not find all these to be helpful to you, or you may think I've left an essential tool out. Tell me! Comment below your best tools and share the knowledge!

So in addition to paints, brushes, and paper, these extra tools can make your watercolor practice smoother, more enjoyable, and more effective, and you may already have them around the house!

• Paper towels or sponges – I hope you have this one at your house... otherwise you stinky. Ahem. Perfect for blotting excess paint, lifting color, controlling moisture on the paper, and quickly cleaning brushes. All-white paper towels are best so you can see when your brush is clean, and thicker brands hold up better during repeated use. Recommended: Kirkland’s Best (Costco). Sponges can also create texture and interesting effects.

  
  

• Graphite pencil – Ideal for light sketching before painting. Choose a soft or medium pencil (like 2H–HB) so the marks are easy to erase or lift with a kneaded eraser, and they won’t leave heavy lines showing through your watercolor.

• Kneaded eraser – A soft, pliable eraser that lifts pencil marks gently without damaging your paper. It can be shaped to reach small areas and even lighten marks without completely removing them, which is helpful for subtle corrections.

• Masking fluid / liquid mask – Blocks areas of your paper to keep them white while you paint over surrounding sections. Great for preserving highlights, fine lines, or intricate shapes. Apply carefully with an old brush or applicator and remove once the paint is dry. I personally don't love using this stuff. It's a real mess to work with and it will ruin any brush you use it with. I tend to "cheat" and use white gouache or a paint pen for my highlights.

• Masking tape – Holds paper securely to a backing board to prevent buckling and creates clean edges or borders for your painting. Acid-free artist tape is recommended to avoid tearing or leaving residue. Many artists use blue painters tape, but I feel the blue next to my page messes with my brain when it comes to color selection.

  
  

• Backing board – Provides a sturdy, flat surface for taping your paper, which is especially important for wet washes. It also makes moving your painting easier without bending or damaging the sheet. I use a clipboard for small works and acrylic sheet kinda thing from lowes (cut down to 18x24 size) for larger ones.

  
  

• Fine mist spray bottle – Helps keep paper evenly damp for wet-into-wet techniques or soft gradients. A consistent spray allows better control over how water and pigment interact on the paper.

  
  

• Water dropper – Useful for precise hydration of dried paint or for adding controlled amounts of water to a painting. Droppers give more accuracy than a spray bottle, especially in small areas or when reactivating pigments.

• White gouache or gel pen – Adds small highlights or corrects mistakes after your watercolor has dried. White gouache is opaque watercolor and blends well, while gel pens are precise for details and fine lines.

  
  

• Color wheel – Shows how colors relate to each other, helping you mix harmonious, complementary, or contrasting shades. It’s a practical guide for avoiding muddy mixes and planning balanced palettes.

• Transfer paper – Lets you move a sketch or design onto your watercolor paper without heavy pencil lines. Ideal for complex designs, patterns, or repeated motifs, or for those who just can't draw (like me!), it keeps your painting clean and precise.

Starting with these tools gives beginners a solid foundation. Over time, you’ll discover which items are indispensable for your workflow and which you may use less—but having them from the start makes experimenting and learning much easier.

Happy Painting! - Em

This post is the last in a series that walks through the core watercolor supplies, explaining what they are, how they behave, and why they matter, so you can make confident choices without feeling overwhelmed. Whether you’re just starting out or refining your setup, think of these posts as a practical foundation for painting with more ease and confidence.