Paint
Paint is available in two qualities, "Artists" and "Student." Both are fine when learning to paint. The artist quality has less filler so it produces a greater depth of colour in a given amount of water and is usually more permanent. Whichever quality you choose I recommend that you keep to the same manufacturer for all the paint you use.

You will find that mixing a particular colour is quite difficult at first and that if you include too many colours in the mix you can finish with mud. I would suggest that you limit your palette to seven or eight colours - this will be sufficient to paint most subjects . My palette is usually limited to French Ultramarine Blue (a must for any landscaper), Cobalt Blue, Gamboge Yellow, Lemon Yellow, Raw Sienna, Burnt Sienna, Light Red, Burnt Umber and Hookers Green. If you plan to paint flowers, still life or in sunnier climates you will probably require some other colours.

In order to avoid mud try to only use two colours in any mix - a small touch of a third colour will not do any harm. You may find it helpful to make a small colour chart recording how you made the various mixes on it - you can refer to this when painting if you cannot remember how you made a certain colour (this will happen in the early days).

You will find it more economical to purchase a standard paint box and then refill it when required with paint from tubes. Please remember that you will have to hold your paintbox when painting outdoors so do not buy a large one.