This design uses only full cross stitches. There are 3 shades of DMC used but a variegated or overdyed floss would also work to get the water colour/handpainted look. There are 10 colour suggestions included for this design. Wedgwood Blue (3765, 518, 3761), Black (310, 413, 414), Taupe (844, 646, 648), Delft Blue (312, 334, 3325), Teal (3848, 958, 964), Purple (550, 552, 554), Red (814, 816, 666), Royal Blue (820, 797, 798), Grey (414, 318, 415), Soft Green (3815, 3816, 3817). Other colours can be used as well, these are just suggestions.