In Reply to: The best supplies for watercolor posted by Lita Gerun on 05/31/01 at 11:40 PM:

: I paint in oils, but I've been interested in learning watercolor.

: On artist seems to think very highly of rough paper, but I can't imagine how anyone can create something detailed with it.

: Whose watercolors are the best? Should I grind my own? I've read about additives like honey and ox gall.

Watercolor paper comes in Rough, Cold-pressed, and Smooth - smooth being the best paper for highly-detailed work, and rough for more abstract representations (generally speaking). Cold pressed (also called NOT) is the most popular. You can buy packets that include a couple of paper samples of each (Strathmore sells one I know of) so you can test the different surfaces to see which you prefer.

As far as paints go, there are many excellent brands available without going to the trouble of grinding one's own pigments. I would recommend Winsor & Newton Artists' Water Color, but there are several other professional-level paints out there as well (Maimeri, Daler-Rowney, Holbein). If you're on a little more of a budget, try the Winsor & Newton Cotman line...