What works for one painter may not work for another. What I recommend is buy the best quality materials you can afford. Then experiment, find painters whose work you admire and try what they are using. Experiment! Experiment! Experiment!
If you don’t have anything and want to keep you initial investment down here are the bare essentials to getting started.
Total Cost: Around $200.00 if your starting from scratchI tried to select things you already may have around the house.
Brushes: Total Cost: $9.50 and up
My current brush of choice is a # 8 or #10 Winsor & Newton Bright but filberts or flats will also work fine. You also want to bring a #4 and #6 brushes with you. You want the brush to feel like an extension of your hand so if these don’t work experiment with other quality brands.
Warning: avoid synthetic or sable for plein air painting
Panels: Total Cost: $0.75 and up
If you are a beginner and not expecting to sell these paintings then 8×10 canvas boards are fine. These are cheap and you can throw them out easily enough.
Wet Canvas Carrying Cases: Free
- Any small boxes taped together will work. Enough to hold at least two wet canvases to start.
Palette: About $15.00
16×20 or 18×24 Medium Gray Plastic…You can purchase this from Tap Plastics visit you local store. If you would like me to pick this up for you please send me an email.
Note: Don’t forget a box to carry your wet palette home. Pizza boxes work great.
Warning: Do not use white plastic or freezer paper. The sun will reflect back into your eyes and make it harder to see the true value of things.
Paint: Total Cost: Around $70.00
My paint of choice is Classic Artist Oils….
If you would like me to order the paint for you and bring it to the first class please contact me for details.
Truth is if you can paint you can make anything work.
Some paints flow better and some have better chroma but I have used everything and you can make good paintings out of any brand. Even Winsor Newton Student grade is good quality paint but it has less pigment in it to make it cheaper. Less pigment isn’t a bad thing if you are looking for a soft dusk painting.
The reason I like Classic Artist Oils is it comes in quarts, its local, and the company stands behind the paint. Over the years I have had trouble with two quarts and they have replaced the paint without any hesitation.
Colors:
- Titanium White.
- Cadmium Yellow Medium
- Yellow Ochre
- Fire Red
- Phthalo Blue
- Phthalo Green
- Mars Black
This is a good starting palette with a small investment.
4 oz tubes will be fine to start.
Easel: Total Cost: $99.00 and up
- French BoxEasel Good beginners easel…I still use mine if one of my others is out for repairs.
Other: About $10.00
- A box or old duffel bag that will carry all the small stuff.Free
- Any Odorless Thinner will work….I avoid Turpenoid. I don’t know why? Total Cost: $5.00 Home Depot
- Something for your thinner…Used Cat Food or Like Tin Can Free Note: I try to avoid glass jars but there is noting cheaper.
- Paper towels…I like the Thirsty Line from Safeway Total Cost: $0.75 ea
- Garbage Bag for your used paper towels Free
- A good quality painting knife. Total Cost: $5.00
- Hat or visor I am sure you have an old hat lying around
- Sunscreen Who doesn’t own sunscreen?
- Coffee Can for your Brushes Free
If you have any questions or have trouble finding something please do not hesitate to ask.
E