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We've all had encounters with watercolor painting whether it was in an elementary school art class or our mothers getting us out of the way for an hour or so by sitting paint and brushes in front of us and telling us to be quiet. These sessions of painting may have been the hook that interested you in watercolor or the annoyance that distanced you from it. In either case you wouldn't be reading this is you didn't want to know more about what will turn out to be a very flexible and relaxing medium.

Watercolor painting is done on special paper that is designed to absorb water and hold color. The paper comes in two major forms, cold-pressed and hot-pressed (a third form called 'rough-pressed' has started appearing more often but I have no experience with it.) Cold-pressed paper has a rougher texture than hot-pressed paper. Hot-pressed paper's smoother texture makes it easier to develop distinct, sharp lines and shapes as the paper soaks in more of the color rather than spreading it out like cold-pressed paper. Experiment with either type of paper as you like. You can pick up watercolor paper from most arts and crafts stores or buy it in bulk online.

You will need a pallet, watercolor paint and brushes also. The paint should be put into the appropriate paint wells on the pallet. Paint used straight from the tube is a big waste and often produces startling, unwanted results. Each tube of paint should be squeezed into a different paint well on the pallet in even strokes and allowed to dry in a dry, warm place for 24-48 hours. This will allow the paint to harden in the well and will make the paint last much longer. Paint that is dried only requires a brush full of water to reactivate and use. The water will dry a few hours after you stop painting. Brushes come in all shapes and sizes with different types of hair constituting the brush. Everything from synthetic man made brush hair to actual hog hair is used in brushes and each has different characteristics. If you can find a watercolor starter kit the brushes in there should be sufficient for learning to paint with watercolors.

While your paint dries it may be a good idea to stretch the first piece of watercolor paper you intend to paint on. Stretching the paper is a helpful practice that shrinks the paper for the first time so that when you start painting the paper will not ripple and bend. To do this you will need a stapler (preferably a staple gun but a regular stapler will work), a tub of water and a flat surface

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