Ronan Collins

I started with an inexpensive student set and aimed for watercolor behavior. For under 20 dollars, look for an AP non toxic seal or a note that it conforms to ASTM D-4236, and a 12 to 18 color box so you get range without paying for giant tubes. Favor sets that describe good transparency and strong tinting strength & since those wash out nicely. At home do a quick test on watercolor paper. Three stripes per color from full strength to tea thin. You want even fades, no chalky cast at the light end, and edges that soften when you touch them with a damp brush while still wet. Cheap and cheerful. Use a simple palette surface such as a ceramic plate so mixes stay workable. Keep a mister nearby and build color with transparent layers rather than scrubbing. For brushes go with soft synthetics with a little snap. A round around size 8 for general work, a bigger round around 10 to 12 for washes, and a half inch flat for sky lines and blocking in. If you can handle them in person check that the tip springs back, the stroke feels smooth, and no hairs pull free with a light tug. Rinse in two jars, reshape, and dry flat so the glue in the ferrule stays happy. Paper matters for the watercolor look. Mixed media or watercolor paper at 140 lb resists buckling and lets you prewet areas for blooms. Work smaller to keep a wet edge, lift highlights with a clean damp brush while it is still open, then leave it alone once it sets because that model locks fast.

Hey and that leaking issue with your coffee maker probably started because something didn't get reassembled properly after you cleaned it, like a loose seal or a misaligned part in the water reservoir :) Take it apart again, inspect for any damage or buildup, and put it back together snugly to see if that stops the water from spilling everywhere. If the problem keeps happening and you're tired of the hassle, switching to a manual brewer could be a great fix since they don't have all those internal tubes and mechanisms that can fail. The Coffee Gator pour over is a solid choice with its high-heat borosilicate glass and reusable stainless steel filter, making it super easy to clean without any leak risks.

Hate being squeezed and so I flag dependencies and ask for trade-offs early.