As noted, there is no perfect pigment (or brand), no magic must-have brush. Again, it’s really a matter of personal taste, what you’re comfortable with and, yes, what you can afford. Of course, we all love to experiment, and we’re all inspired by other artists. I’ve tried lots of tools and pigments recommended by my artist friends. Some I still use, and some just weren’t for me.
Don’t worry about having every color in the rainbow and more. Learning to mix the colors you want is part of the fun, and a huge part of learning, period. You can get by with a warm and a cool of each primary color, or just one of each if you choose well.
Do use decent paints rather than those meant for kids; if cost is an issue, buy just the primaries and, perhaps, a few convenient colors. I usually add Burnt Sienna and Payne’s Grey, then mix my own colors. It’s fun!
Remember, if you choose watercolor for your regular sketching medium, you’ll need some sort of palette or box to carry your pigments and tools in. I’ve used a lightweight folding plastic palette for years.
There are many brands and sizes of watercolor brushes, both round and flat. Waterbrushes, however, come only in small, medium and large. As far as I know, there is only one company, Niji, that makes flat waterbrushes. I find them very useful in some circumstances. You’ll see them at use in this book.
There are extras you may need: Water containers, tissues, erasers, pencil sharpeners and so forth. Remember, keep it light and simple and you’ll be in good shape for working on the spot. You may want to weigh your supplies and make sure everything is in good working order before setting out. I hate going out to sketch only to find my fountain pen is empty when I get to my destination.