Watercolor Materials and Equipment - my 2020 setup and cost

Today I’m going to share with you my painting set up for 2020. The materials include the paint and colors that I use, the paper I paint on, and the brushes that I use. I will also share with you my setup. The equipment I use and how I lay everything out. I will even break down the cost for you so you can get an idea of how much is my painting set up!
This is one of the lessons from my Watercolor Essential Course, early access to the course is now available!
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Materials I mentioned: (affiliation links) this is a long list
The price may be different from what I said in the video because they do change often.
SoHo Urban Artist Drawing Board
amzn.to/36tYq0g
Phive LED desk Lamp
amzn.to/37Im7Cx
77
Mechanical pencil 0.5mm
amzn.to/2Qn2VnM
Pental Mechanical Pencil Lead 4B
amzn.to/37BsLu3
Faber-Castell kneaded Eraser 4 pack
amzn.to/37CZH5r
Escoda Aquario 14 and 18
amzn.to/2SWfp7t
Escoda Ultimo
amzn.to/2QQZ9SE
amzn.to/2Qo5k1G
Escoda Pearla #8 #10
amzn.to/2ZQvkpz
amzn.to/2QmVCfQ
Escoda Reserva #10
amzn.to/36qCvHl
Da Vinci Watercolor Series 35 #6
amzn.to/2FmZdnS
Princeton Neptune rigger #1
amzn.to/2txo8SY
Aluminum Watercolor Palette 26 well
amzn.to/2Qo0YHG
Paint that I use
Neutral tint
amzn.to/2QPvIjN
Cobalt Blue
amzn.to/2Qo6oTe
Ultramarine Blue
amzn.to/2MXtEVZ
Cerulean Blue
amzn.to/2MZEPh0
Cobalt Turquoise
amzn.to/2SQIwJz
Yellow Ochre
amzn.to/2FmZYNK
Burnt Umber
amzn.to/2ZPFVkq
Burnt Sienna
amzn.to/2Fjegis
Cadmium Red Medium Hue
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Cadmium Orange Hue
amzn.to/37zB8Gw
Hansa Yellow Deep
amzn.to/2FnOBoK
Alizarin Crimson
amzn.to/39DFG0o
Carmine
amzn.to/2QG6FzC
Winsor & Newton white gouache
amzn.to/2sNmj4s
Paper
Saunders Waterford Rough 12x16
amzn.to/2QLtv9k
Arches Cold press 12x16
amzn.to/2QplHej
Baohong Watercolor paper Medium Grain
alitems.com/g/1e8d114494c100b...

[@Cafewatercolor]

What's your new year resolution? Any other materials you recommend? Let me know!

[@paulinehughes5325]

To make the most of every minute for the next year. Materials? whatever works Mixed Media for me!

[@lorenrenee1]

Café Watercolor - Eric Yi Lin paint more often. I like acrylics, water color, and I’ve been getting super excited about colored inks now. If I had more room I’d use oil which is sooo luxurious to use but I’ve got a puppy who would get into it. But my New Years resolution is to just do more even if it’s just practice.

[@emmasheppard2639]

I’m going to make as many hats for the homeless I can and I’m going to paint and send pretty paintings to my friends to cheer them up x I bought the wrong st cutnerts mill paper. I got botanical and bockingford instead of the one you say is best 🤦‍♀️

[@bardotte5757]

Café Watercolor - Eric Yi Lin Hi its Shawdian and I just joined your website today & look forward to learning how to improve my watercolour skills.

[@jg6936]

I want to have patience to learn the basics. I am also singing so I want to get a good foundation in that, too.

[@Winstonsmom]

I used to have a dog that would sneak into my studio and pull out the arches watercolour pads (only the arches even though I had a variety) and make a meal out of them. I was told that this paper is sized with fish gelatin… I guess he could smell this. He also would eat old hardcover books. When you mentioned the smell of arches it made me smile. Thanks for this video. I love your painting.

[@duanecormier45]

Thank you, I’m so glad to find your work here. Very inspiring and you are very talented. You have a wonderful way of teaching!! I can’t wait to follow up on past posts and look forward to 2020 and your new post! Take care.

[@thankourvets3882]

Thank you, Eric. I am totally new and appreciate your recommended products to get started!

[@sujatagupta1657]

Cafe watercolor is SUCH a great a great find! Thank you utube and thank you Eric. Great practical useful stuff .

[@soniabuenoaffonso8144]

Great Eric !!!! Thanks for share your 2020 goals. I loved it. Let’s talk more this year in order to change our experiences. I’m following your lessons here from few months and since the beginning I loved the way you do it. Happy 2020.

[@judycole5721]

Happy New Year Eric! Love love love your art! Enjoy and appreciate your videos. Thank you!

[@susanhepburn6040]

This is SO useful, Eric. Thank you very much for taking the time to share this with us. Greatly appreciated!

[@chesapeake4797]

Thank you for taking the time to list all of the products so that we can easily order.

[@BJ_PLATZ]

Thank you! I appreciate your content! Great suggestions for set up that I will take to heart! Good luck with your resolutions!!!

[@janenewman6601]

So excited about the course you are taking and learning what you got out of it❤️

[@pamelaross2950]

Thanks Eric! Another very useful and enjoyable video. One of my goals for 2020 is to set up a dedicated space for painting so that I am able to spend more time on my art. You are 100% right that thinking about setting up all of my materials each time discourages me from painting when I have limited time. Good luck on your goals for 2020!

[@davidboettcher2014]

Hello Eric, I appreciate your tutorials and in depth descriptions during your walk the walk paint the paint lessons. I have been an acrylic and oil painter in the past. You have inspired me to start doing watercolors. Thank you

[@SusanBurnsridesatrike]

I'm so glad I learned of your recommendation of the Baohong paper several months ago. I love it and it takes all the abuse I can give it. And the blocks stay together.

[@yuliarias8403]

Happy New Year Eric😀 Great informative video. I look forward to your upcoming tutorials. Best of Luck this 2020👌🏻 Thank you for sharing your set up.

[@corlisskruismock6771]

Eric,Your videos are calming to me and very helpful. I have used oils and acrylics so watercolor is new for me. As long as I don’t worry about terrific outcomes right away, I can have a lot of fun. I’ll keep watching!

[@kathleennekomoto6490]

Thank you so much for the lovely video and great tips. I enjoy listening to you as well, having a calming voice with a sincere affect.

[@colleencc7]

Thanks for this video! I am just a beginner and found your information here very informative and helpful. I appreciate all your explanations about why you like the particular products that you do and why they may or may not be the right thing for someone else.

[@baslerraindrop6389]

Loved this informative video, Eric. One of the best "these are my products" watercolor videos that I've seen. I really liked how succinctly you covered all the key materials - including brushes AND color pallette - in one video. Your comments about WHY you made certain choices were also nice and short, but helpful. Keep up the good work & good luck with your goals! I've been watching your stuff for awhile now, but subscribed today to help you along ☺️.

[@sanders26601]

Thank you for all your help. It is very inspiring, no matter where I am at! I have been watching you for a couple years now.

[@gisellemagalhaes9355]

Thank you, Eric. This video has been very useful for me. Please, keep helping us beginners.

[@peterbathum2775]

Thank you sir. My goal is to paint with my water colors more . I used to use this practice rendering for stage sets with lighting. I wasn't great but readily communicated the idea of the play. now a subject beyond the scene I see seems to elude me. more will help me find this

[@FranEgui]

This video is worth gold! It was a mentoring of the highest level. I took notes of everything. I am deeply grateful to you, Eric. I wish from the heart that you can meet all the goals this year. Many thanks and many blessings.

[@ScareyBerry]

I found your channel and recommendation for the Phive lamp through Amazon. I am going to use it in my nail corner. Can't wait. Thanks so much!!!

[@apedreus]

Thanks again, Eric. These are among the best instructional videos - very concise narration.

[@sheilazart]

Happy 2020 Eric :) Thanks for sharing your tools with us.

[@wildgoobsid5]

I just started watercolours. Your videos have let be go leaps and bounds ahead of where I thought I would be. Great videos .

[@albertandtinanatonabah6621]

Calm manner and clear directions have encouraged me, and I am appreciative.

[@apan0608]

Thank you Eric for sharing your materials. I came across BaoHong watercolour paper and gave it a miss cos it is student grade. So glad you pointed it out on the video, it’s gonna be a good saving on paper!

[@TraSea72]

Thank you Eric. I really get a lot of helpful information from your videos. I also like your sincerity. Please keep it up, we want to hear what you have to share.

[@susanstutz538]

Thank you Eric! This was wonderful and I'm subscribed today.

[@sidiart2149]

Hi Mr Eric, I really love your sincerity of sharing knowledges & experiences which some other artists reluctant to do so. For beginner & amatuer like me, your videos absolutely very helpful. I already subscribe your channel and can’t wait to see your latest video. Last but not least, hope you achieved your 2020 resolutions. 👍👍👍

[@debbiereed8341]

Really enjoyed this a lot. Great setup and materials.

[@andreawatson3654]

Thank you for your videos! I find them calming and truly informative and very useful indeed!

[@johnwright4185]

beautiful painting and a great explanation about skin tones, thanks

[@Musthi834]

That was very helpful. Hope to see a lot more of you and your lessons. Happy New Year. ( Gong she faat sai!)

[@leonciagarcia3370]

Thank you for your practical tips. You are a great teacher. Hope you achieve your goals. Happy painting :)

[@libra2sun]

Thanks Eric for your videos, you have a wonderful way of presenting things. My new year resolutions are to eat healthy and create more art. Best of luck with your resolutions!

[@Cafewatercolor]

Sounds great! =)

[@peterartist]

Fabulous - you take complex concepts and make them more accessible. I also really appreciate your comment about getting us to practise!!!! I taught art and design for twenty years and always emphasized the importance of doing more and more work. There is no substitute. Thank you for what you do. Keep going!! You are making a great positive difference. Also - an idea for you - show folks different ways of introducing multiple colours into a painting. Only using one tube colour for an area tends to make it dull. Adding other warm and or cool tones makes a painting come alive. Demos please! You will be giving watchers "permission" to play with their colours. Also - talk about the incredible importance of lighting. It makes bland images come alive! You could also help folks be talking about drawing - I know this is a series about painting however without a solid drawing there cannot be a solid painting. So much to show. So much to learn. Cheers.

[@mariamaragonesjust2150]

Muchas GRACIAS!!por compartir,yo tambienpinto al oleo con una maleta plegable ahora estoy empezando a pintar con acuarelas,me parece miy buena idea lo del soporte muchas gracias!!feliz añoo!!😉

[@marjoriejohnson6535]

I have used all of these brushes ...and at least 50 more and your choices are solid. Good job.

[@sacha15]

Hi, your videos are great. and you´re very talented too. I started to watch the wet and wet and couldn´t stop. So honest, and with a really goal on help beginners. Very didatic too. Thanks

[@Coletta123]

Thanks for the good information. I really like the drawing board you recommend

[@stephaniedescoteaux4759]

Your content is great! Happy new year.

[@stuartayre7618]

Another video full of practical advice--thank you.

[@tziporaneemanfeder1813]

Eric, this was so helpful. Thanks !

[@robinwilks3017]

Thank you, Eric! I truly enjoyed this video - especially in these COVID times. Painting has brought me joy and I can see where your teaching is going to help me be a better, more relaxed painter. I love my Daniel Smith Watercolors and I'm glad you use them as well. How have your goals for 2020 changed during the pandemic?

[@marilynrollo6278]

I'm very intrigued by your comment to have a designated space for painting with everything all set up. That is my goal to do so for myself this year! Thank you for this video and looking to the future ones!

[@Cafewatercolor]

it doesn't need to be big. I need my computer next to it because it's also my office and I need to record video and do livestream there, but I believe it shouldn't be difficult. Hope it will work out well for you =)

[@willowryan2308]

I was referred to your channel by another watercolor painter and I find your methods of describing easy to understand and helpful to make informed decisions about quality materials.

[@sseabee6877]

Thanks, Eric. Enjoying your videos very much.

[@mayau0219]

Thanks Lin for motivating me to back to watercolor painting!

[@celiasantosmedeiros1283]

Love your suggestions , thanks Eric !

[@jerrynavarro1666]

thanks for sharing, i find it so very interesting and it inspired me. i really want to start to paint but did not know how to start, so it is, i feel so excited, looking forward for more tutoral for newbie like me. thumbs up, from Philippines

[@raulluis7052]

Eric,...new to watercolor painting,...literarily! , loving your tutorials. Thank you so much,...Raùl.

[@Enryuujin]

Just subscribed. Very helpful tips! (Including a walkthrough of your main palette) learned a lot on your videos.

[@saravasura1076]

I really like your style of instruction. You are easy to understand for a fairly new artist. Thanks. Like your goals for 2020! My resolutions is to continue with my private lessons, listen to you and sketch and paint everyday. I am retiring so I will have plenty of time. So exciting!

[@Cafewatercolor]

Thank you! ☺️

[@suzzmail]

I like your voice and calm explanations. Very helpful thank you.

[@suzannw9098]

This is the first of your videos I've watched. I really enjoyed it and am going to try out some of the products you suggested. I'm new to watercolors and am inspired by different artists' techniques. Will definitely try out the Chinese watercolor paper. I'm fascinated how different the papers seems to be. My New Years resolution is to commit to my learning of watercolors and drawing architecture in better perspective.

[@Cafewatercolor]

Thank you for watching! Start simple :) I get all of my materials and equipment over years. Good luck on your watercolor journey! I’m so excited for you!

[@darleenlindstrom5381]

Love you videos Eric. I am learning so much from you. Thank you.

[@kktuik]

Well, you already got yourself a new subscriber here! Very sensible advice, thank you!

[@joycegentile8552]

I enjoy this channel... you are honest and very good at sharing information,

[@marilynambler876]

Thank you it really helped me when I saw your video because this is new to me......thank you, thank you,.........thank you with all my heart xxoo

[@Drumaier]

Hi there Eric, first of all, good luck with your goals this year. One of my goals for this year about watercolor is to be more consistent with my style since i tend to experiment too much, which is great for a while but some consistency in the procedures and style i think is also necessary at least for a year or something. Thanks for your videos bro.

[@edwardcameronjr.6947]

Thank you for your videos, they are very helpful. Please keep making videos.

[@garygautreau7758]

your videos have been great at getting me back to watercolours , been about 30 yrs ,,,i was in high school art ,took really well to the watercolour painting , illness and early retirement has given me time to give it a try and see if i still can ,,, my first try was well my first try in 30 yrs lol but several things just came back to me ,i fell in love with the hobby all over again , i am stocking up and following this channel ,you have been so helpful,,,, i cant thank you enough ,, i will be spending most of the spring summer fall seasons , in north central Ontario , so i have the entire Canadian shield to work with ,,, your videos have been very helpful keep them coming ,,,

[@Cafewatercolor]

Thank you! So glad to hear it ☺️

[@suzalasuzala1135]

loved the idea of the board at the bottom so that you can continue your wash all the way to the bottom

[@simaabedini843]

Such a useful information, thanks for sharing this with us .

[@purplezoid1]

This was great! Thanks for taking the time to show us! :)

[@michellebrits4224]

I just recently bought the Boahong pads too from Taobao. I bought all three to test - HP, CP and rough. So far I prefer the CP and rough. Really happy with the quality too and it's super affordable! Great video! Hi from HK!

[@Cafewatercolor]

Michelle Brits they are great papers :) I really enjoy using them as well!

[@Widepartini]

Thanks Eric, very useful.

[@bardotte5757]

I have used Arches paper (Rough, Not & Hot) for 10 years and never had any smell. Good video - Thank you from the UK 🎨

[@khinmaykyi8306]

so many thanks for your suggestions

[@eileengoldenberg270]

I love Fabriano extra white 100% cotton paper. My fav.. rosemary brushes.. Daniel Smith watercolors..thanks for the vid!

[@Mamaosa63]

Hi Eric Very very helpful and excellent tutorial👍. l always need constant reminders because lm an elderly just started learning how to watercolor learning on KZbin. I paid high $ trying to get supplies and l didn’t know all your details about brand names on papers, brushes, paints, etc. but l will keep and use what l have. You are right, Arches has a peculiar odor when it get wet. I also bought Daniel Smith paints on line, some of the tubes come out washy watery paint , and the colors don’t spread, don’t blend well even on high quality paper. I really appreciate your time explaining with your gentle paced voice and most of all no music. Thank you, Marie

[@Cafewatercolor]

marston thank you for your kind words. Some of the paint might need to stir up a bit with a toothpick before you squeeze out because the pigment and the binding agent are separated :)

[@dbonnabel]

As always, loving the videos. Really like the setup.

[@Cafewatercolor]

David Bonnabel thanks Dave!!

[@jenniefrench1338]

I trimmed my Escoda Reserva ends with a very sharp scissor or knife and it is like using a new one. Very worth the effort. And the escoda versátiles are highly recommendable and very worth it. I love that painting btw it is gorgeous!!🤗

[@Cafewatercolor]

Thank you! It’s in one of my previous video ☺️

[@julianosorio1360]

Erick muchas gracias, grandes consejos y guía!

[@michaelfinn8162]

Thank you Eric. I'm recently retired and have been dabbling in oils, acrylics and water colors. After watching a few of your videos I think my resolution for 2020 is to concentrate completely on watercolors for this year. I have watched hundreds of videos on You Tube and yours seem the clearest, most concise and most practical of any I have watched. I am currently in a water color class at local museum, but even there the instruction is not as clear. Please keep up your efforts. Happy New Year.

[@Cafewatercolor]

Thank you! That means so much to me ☺️ god luck on your watercolor journey!

[@Stop_Elitists_Wars]

Teaching - always remember the 'Beginners'.. Great video

[@edzejandehaan9265]

I created my "dedicated drawing space" about one and a half year ago. Basically a big ikea table and a couple of cupboards in our office room. On it is a drawing board of the same type you have, mine is a2 size. Enough place to have my supplies next to it. My lighting could be improved, but it's okay. It made all the difference for my productivity having a designated space.

[@zhongyangliu8896]

Thank you for sharing! 💗😊very helpful

[@angelachenrecycle]

HI Eric, happy new year! I have t-shirt as my Christmas gift. thank you so much, all of your video are so helpful.

[@Cafewatercolor]

Oh hey! Thank you! Hope you like it :) I will keep making more this year!

[@greghorsky2747]

For anyone watching who likes these materials but wants a simpler and less expensive setup, here's what I did: Daniel Smith 15ml Primary color set Princeton Neptune #8 quill, Escoda #12 versatil, Silver black velvet #8 Bee Paper 100% cotton 6x9 50 pack, Arches 10x14 cold press Homemade easel at 40* (you can use a phone to measure the angle) Set up near a window or use a Cree 5k flood light All this should keep you under $150 and Will give you professional results. Hope this helps.

[@baslerraindrop6389]

Useful suggestions, Greg Horsky!

[@randommcranderson5155]

How do you like the bee paper? I want to order some but it's hard to judge paper without feeling it.

[@greghorsky2747]

@@randommcranderson5155 It's good paper, 100% cotton and I think the 50 pack is like $14. It's only 6"x9", but I find that it's perfect for small sketches or mixing/swatching. Any bigger and I'd get something else, though. The Arches 9x12 pad is usually relatively affordable. If there's one thing I'd advocate it's good paper.

[@indigodande4345]

@@randommcranderson5155 I think you might be happier with etchr cold press sketch books 3 pack. or for regular use I actually tried SM LT finnish paper its about 39 to ship to usa. the shipping is a bit higher but im really enjoying this paper. arches cold press 300 lb (heavier paper heavier washes, less buckling, and for a lighter paper I enjoy fabriano artistico ULTRA WHITE hot press 140lb. I have a bee paper sketchbook but I wasnt really happy with the way the paper was handling however. if you want to try it bee paper has a nice square sketchbook for about 15 on amazon.

[@josephineherrera8508]

Where can one get Bee paper?

[@ralphkintzer5353]

Great stuff Eric, thanks so much. Cheers!

[@SuperExadidas]

Very useful. Thank you Eric.

[@beatrizdavis1998]

Just found your channel, very informative 👍 Thank you 😊

[@rachelchan2215]

Thanks for your sharing! Love you!

[@maureenrich2805]

I love your work and instruction. Would love to see some still life demos

[@YuChieh668]

I saw in one of the videos (don't remember which one), you mentioned about Kilimanjaro paper. I tried it and really really like it. Thank you!

[@mikang2534]

Thank you for all these good tips!

[@debbieborden7651]

Awesome Eric! Thank you.

[@lelouque89]

merci pour toutes les informations précieuses que tu donnes, et grâce à toi j'ai acheté cette lampe Phive Led que j'adore et tellement que mon mari en a acheté une aussi pour son bureau. Merci !

[@lohikarhu734]

Nice, nice video, clear, and you explain what you like, and don't like ;-) I use several of the squirrel hair brushes, and love the flexibility of getting a big wash, or quite a fine line, with one brush... there is just something satisfying about them! Thanks, again, say hello to YVR next time you get up there, and also, if you get to Japan, 'drop by' Fujiyoshida...

[@smoothsailingmp]

Very helpful..... haven't painted for a few years, so most all my paints have dried up. Thank you for the basic list on both the paints and brushes

[@anneboehler9260]

Don't toss dried paint tubes. Slice them open, add a little water, and still usable.

[@kakashi1992e]

this was a cool video. Did not know about the cheap paper

[@pazruizcaballero8370]

Pienso que son consejos muy interesantes,gracias!!!!

[@LoriJMarshall]

You are so helpful. Thank you.

[@indigodande4345]

ahh @cafewatercolor your light suggestion is amazing!

[@Cafewatercolor]

Thank you! I love mine too 😊

[@Vgladstone1]

THanks for the video. I agree about the papers!

[@cultofmara]

this was such a good video thank you