Applying washes with ordinary commercial paintbrushes is discussed later on in this article. The choice of paper or surface on which you are to paint is a vital ingredient. Although there are a number of painting surfaces to choose from, the best and most popular is professional watercolor paper obtainable from any major arts and crafts merchant. While some brands of paper are expensive, merchants usually carry a range of quality paper to choose from. Decide whether you are most comfortable working upright at an easel or working on a flat surface.
Many watercolorists favor working on a flat surface when applying certain techniques and washes.
You will need a piece of hardboard that is at least 6 cm in diameter bigger than the sheet of paper, and a roll of brown packaging tape. Next, dampen do not soak the piece of paper and place it onto the hardboard. Cut strips of packaging tape in four separate lengths that measure the same as the top, bottom and sides of the sheet of paper. On the other hand, you many paint directly onto the watercolor paper without stretching, although you should opt for a heavy quality paper, which can absorb a fair amount of water before it may start to buckle. After you have set up your subject, study it for a while.