I very often am asked what my favorite art supplies are.
PAINT:
I keep things fairly simple and paint with only Acryla Gouache. I buy it usually from Jerry’s . This paint dries solidly on the paper so it can’t be reconstituted, so layering is much cleaner than with water based paints. If you buy single tubes it’s good to have basic colors Warm and Cool Red, Blue, Yellow, Green, Ochre, Black.
For traveling i like Derwent make a really lovely one with their inktense paints. It goes down in between the consistency of gouache and watercolor but it doesn’t reconstitute once it dries so you can layer.
Permanent White Winsor Newton Designer Gouache (This link is to the small tube, it comes in a bigger tube too, I use tons of this) it’s very opaque.
Dr PH Martin's Bleed Proof White is nice for making white accents on your painting too
PAPER:
My go to sketchbook is a Strathmore Mixed Media 500 series sketchbook, it can handle lots of paint and water so you could use watercolor as well as gouache.
I love this cheap sketchbook from MUJI. I use this all the time for general notes, quick sketches and ideas.
Canson XL Mixed Media is a very decent affordable paper to paint on. I prefer watercolor paper without too much texture. 9"x12” is nice but any size is ok. Experiment!
For a better quality paper I love Arches Hot Press
BRUSHES:
I like to use a few different sizes. I always use synthetic brushes, they can handle much more abuse. Most importantly they should hold their shape and make a point. It's nice to have a few round brushes ranging in size, from #1 - #12. Mimik Kolinsky Synthetic Sable Short Handle Brushes
WATERCOLOR PENCILS:
I often sketch things out in watercolor pencils.
PALETTE:
A disposable paper palette is very convenient and I use it all the time. A ceramic plate or any plastic palette you can pick up will be perfectly fine.