Why not!? It’s an investment in yourself to get some new gear and supplies now and then.

As I am teaching a lot now I have a perfect reason to go paint and equipment shopping!

Top of my list this month was to treat myself to 2 brand spanking new Frank Webb watercolour palettes.

My fist one bought 20 years ago is still in use every day - see how it looks next to the new one:)

I am going to fill one of the new ones with paint colours I have never or would not normally use. Why you ask? Well - I want to shake thing sup a bit and try different colourways. A change is as good as a rest as they say.

So watch this space as I go for new paint colours on my next shopping trip.

The other day I popped into my local art store for some paints, pencils and a rubber.

Even these simple things give me a lot of joy as I can sketch with the pencil and the new rubber was much needed.

I would strongly recommend your buying a lidded palette if you are going to start in watercolour. It will save you tubes of paint as once given a little spray with water each day and the lid is replaced the paints stay moist and don’t go mouldy either.

To buy the Frank Webb palette you will have to get it from the USA as I haven’t found a UK supplier. Has anyone else found one?

Anyway - here is the link - but please know that it will be expensive as you pay all sorts of taxes and shipping is high plus you may get stuck with a UK customs charge as I did.

http://www.cheapjoes.com/frank-webb-watercolor-palette.html

If that is all too much for you there are a few lidded palettes here that aren’t too bad at all:)

http://www.saa.co.uk/shop/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=watercolour+palette

Into these of course you will need to squeeze watercolour tube paints - have fun!