Recommended Materials
These are the exact materials on my desk. Everything here I use personally and recommend without hesitation for beginner bird and nature painting.
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Paper
The paper you paint on makes a bigger difference than most beginners realize. I recommend 100% cotton cold-pressed paper for finished paintings, with a few affordable options for studies and practice.
Arches 140lb Cold Press
Arches · 9x12 pad
The gold standard. Handles wet on wet beautifully and lifts cleanly.
MEEDEN 140lb Block
MEEDEN · 100% cotton
Excellent value. Lifts slightly less than Arches but performs well for the price.
Baohong 140lb Block
Baohong · Artists grade
A reliable mid-range cotton paper. Good alternative when Arches feels like a stretch.
Paints
My recommended palette for bird and nature painting. Primarily Daniel Smith with a few Holbein and Winsor & Newton colours where I prefer them. Click any paint name for product details.
Brushes
You don't need a large collection of brushes to paint well. These are the brushes I use most often for washes, larger shapes, fine detail, and softening edges.
Quill Mop Set
ARTEGRIA · sizes 2 & 6
Holds water beautifully, comes to a fine point. Perfect for background washes.
Velvetouch Round 6
Princeton · workhorse
My go-to for blocking in the bird's body, wings and larger areas.
Velvetouch Script Liner 2
Princeton · fine lines
Ideal for fine feather texture and flowing line work.
Cotman Round 00
Winsor & Newton · detail
Fine detail work — eyes, beaks, sharp edges. Affordable and reliable.
Princeton Oval Mop
Princeton · 1 Inch
Princeton Select Artiste, Series 3750, Paint Brush for Acrylic, Watercolor and Oil, Oval Mop, 1 Inch
Creative Mark Scrubber
Set of 3
Watercolor Paintbrushes for Correcting Mistakes and Color Lifting
Accessories
A few simple accessories can make painting easier and more enjoyable. These are the tools I find genuinely useful at the painting table, rather than a long list of things you don't really need.
Airtight Palette 18-well
Mijello · paint storage
Keeps paints moist between sessions. No re-wetting dried paint every time you sit down.
Ceramic Tray Palette
MEEDEN · mixing
White ceramic surface shows colours accurately. Easy to clean, doesn't stain.
Ceramic Brush Washer
MEEDEN · heavy duty
Heavy enough to stay put on your desk. No accidental spillage mid-painting.
Fine Mist Spray Bottle
BeautifyBeauties
For keeping your palette and paper lightly misted. Gentle, even spray.
Fineline Masking Fluid Pen
Fineline · Masking fluid
Masking Fluid Pen With Masking Fluid