To spend more money on my art stuff? (Also watercolour people, I need advice)

[Sloppybollox]

I think DH is getting a bit irritated with the amount of money I’m spending on art supplies! I started off using oils, didn’t have the patience for all the cleaning so went to acrylics, don’t like how messy they look so went to watercolour. I love the look of watercolour but I need better stuff! I did this this morning and gave up because the paper is shit and kept buckling. My argument is if I can get better at it, I could maybe get to a point where I can make money from it. DH’s argument is that I swap and change my style/medium that often that I’m just throwing money away.

YABU - stick with the stuff you have until you’ve used it up
YANBU - buy stuff to help you improve!!

Also - what’s the best watercolour paper to use to stop this bucking??!

*cat, not car!

Also I've learnt a lot from artists on Youtube. Lots of excellent artists do videos and you can also be a patreon for a few pounds a month where you can watch them paint in real time and get feedback on your art.

I'm terrible for buying art materials - I always think I might need them - then I give them away to charity. So look in charity shops for art materials too.
I'm an art teacher and do my own work as much as I can My advice is that.you don't need lots of colour or equipment - you can mix an awful lot of colours from a set of primary colours plus black and white. Keep it simple - you can add if and when you need to. Don't buy cheap stuff. It's a false economy, student grade is good enough. I found this book useful
Artist's Painting Techniques: Explore Watercolours, Acrylics, and Oils https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0241229456/ref=cmswwrcppapiii37BPGE6J0QYA3QSMY4MS?encoding=UTF8&psc=1 - it's a no nonsense guide to what you might need

Don't worry about soaking the whole sheet of paper. Use a nice, wide strip of gummed paper tape, and wet it in the bottom of a sink, with the tap running gently.
Place the first strip across the top of the paper, the next, down one side, then the bottom, then the other side.
The most important bit is to rub firmly over the tape with a cloth, or paper towel. This removes excess moisture, and presses the adhesive from the gummed tape, into the paper and the drawing board.
Initially, it doesn't look too promising, as the paper and the tape might cockle slightly, but I promise you, when it dries, it will be super tight and flat.
Don't worry about using expensive, high cotton content, textured papers (Turner didn't), any old cartridge paper will do.
You really don't have to soak the paper first. If you do, it can often split the gummed tape when it dries. The tension is just too high. If the tape splits, you have to redo it.
When you are working on your painting, the paper might lift very slightly, but when it dries, it will be as flat as a pancake again.
Hope this helps. This is the way I was taught to do it in Art School and it has always worked for me.
BTW. Never feel guilty about spending money on art materials. Creating art is pretty much one of the most important functions any human can perform. It is a life-affirming and selfless act. Even kids drawings make the world a better place.
Keep going.

You need a drawing board and just tape the paper with masking tape,you don't have to wet and stretch.

If you're anywhere near an Aldi when they do their art superbuy they sell thick watercolour paper and it's great and a fraction of the price at an art shop. Try and sign up with an art class, I've learned loads over the last couple of years.

Definitely get decent paper. Do not expect to be able to sell your art.

Use masking tape to hold your page down or it will curl slightly regardless of what paper you use.

Also very cute dog OP! You are much better than I am!

One way to keep paper from buckling is to use a block of good paper instead of just a pad. Paint on the top sheet of the block and don't remove it until it is dry. Good paper isn't cheap, but it isn't that expensive,either. Arches watercolor blocks are excellent, and Fabriano has a high quality line as well. Some fine watercolor brands are Daniel Smith, Winsor and Newton Professional, and Holbein.

In terms of new stuff and using old stuff up, I would say a bit of both. Use the old stuff for sketches and experiments and trying out techniques.

I would also suggest joining an art group as you get a lot from group critique and ideas etc being in an environment which will encourage and help you develop

Dip your paper in water so it is nicel and wet. Tape it to a drawing board with brown gummed parcel tape. (dunk this in water too). When it dries it will be perfect for painting on and won't buckle.