Compass recommendations:

It can be overwhelming searching for a compass because there are so many different types out there. Generally, I look for a metal, sturdy-looking compass and with a wheel near the top to adjust the radius. This helps the compass to stay fixed and not move around too much, and will help prevent it from becoming less sturdy over time.

​

The compass used in class was either: a Jakar Giant Bow Pencil Compass 155mm Long ​​​​​​​​ (left) ) or a Rotring Compact Compass (middle). The rotring does not have a wheel like the Jakar, but it is a good, light compass. ​The Jakar compass is currently out of stock on Amazon, but is in stock through Bromleys Art Supplies. 

​

​

​

​

​

​​

​

​

 

And above right is the compass I demonstrated in with. I use this regularly: Staedtler 552 01 PR1 Mars Comfort Compass

 

It is currently showing as out of stock, but this Staedtler Mars Comfort 552 quick compass and Staedtler 552 01 Mars Comfort Quick-Setting Compass are similar.

 

There’s so many brands for compasses out there I wouldn’t be able to list them all, but the ones I use and can personally recommend are Jakar, Rotring, Helix, Haff, Ecobra and Staedtler. I would not recommend going for a 'school compass' as they are not sturdy enough long term or good with accuracy. You may have to pay a little more for a decent one.

 

Others have recommended compasses from brands such as Linex and Alvin. And often vintage compasses are more sturdy, last longer, but are a little more expensive.

​

​

Pencils:

In classes we use two different pencils. A 'hard' lead pencil, and a 'soft' lead. 

​

The hard lead is a 4H or 2H, to construct the drawing lines in the first half of the class. (The higher the number, the harder the lead is)

 

The soft lead 4B or 2B is to draw the final lines. (As above, the higher the number, the softer the lead). This helps the pattern show up darker on the page. Using this on the tracing paper makes it easier to transfer to watercolour paper. 

​

Watercolour pencils:

These are good to colour in your pattern, which you can leave as a pencil colouring, or you can add a small amount of water with a paintbrush and it gives a watercolour painting effect. This is also a good option if you don't have enough time to paint or would like to colour in your sketchbook that may not be suitable for traditional watercolours. 

​

In my classes I use a set from Cass Art. 

They come in sets of 12 or 36:

Set of 12

Set of 36 

​

Watercolour paper:

Usually in classes I use 300gsm Daler Rowney cold-pressed watercolour paper. 

Generally, this higher the GSM, the more water the paper is able to take. Cold-pressed 250-300 gsm paper is easily available in most art shops. 

​

Watercolour paper also comes in 'hot-pressed' which is a smoother paper, or 'rough' which gives a much rougher texture of the three mentioned. Amongst the different brands, you may also come across Khadi paper, which has a rough texture on cotton paper.

​​

​

​

​

​

​​

​

Paints:

Watercolour paints are available in a variety of different ways. In classes, we use pans of paint, and round stacks. Paints are also available in tubes, which you can squeeze out how much you want to use.  When I do get tubes, I usually decant these into a pan, so it is easier to use for classes. 

​

The pans, in classes will have been from Winsor and Newton Cotman Watercolours, and Daler Rowney. 

The round stacks are from Koh-i-noor and are available as a 4 tier or more. The ones in class were a 4-tier (24 colours) and an 8-tier (48 colours)

These are available in many art shops and also online. Some shops like Hobbycraft and The Range also do their own versions of these paints so it's worth checking these out also. ​

​

​

​​​​

​

​

​

​

​

Metallics: 

My go-to metallic paint is usually Winsor and Newton gold gouache. It is much creamier and opaque than most watercolours. 

​

Another option is Winsor and Newton Metallic Watercolours in tubes and pans which I bring to classes. These come in a variety of colours, but in class there were gold, bronze, silver and a light blue available. I bought them as tubes and decanted them into pans.

Also in class, we used metallic rectangle paints. These come in a pack of 6 and were either from The Range or online. These are available from Amazon. 

​​

​

​

​

​

​

​​

​

​

Art shops:

Check out your local art shops as you can get plenty of supplies from there.

• Cass Art

• Hobbycraft

• Jackson’s Art Supplies

• The Range

• GreatArt

​