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!
Here is what I use and some recommendations for beginners.
Note: The complete materials list can run anywhere from $450 and up. For a bare essentials materials list, click here. Students are encouraged to bring what they already have before purchasing equipment. In most cases what you already have may be more then adequate. If you would like to start my classes but don’t have all the materials please contact me and we can determine the bare essentials to get started.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.
I still paint on these to get myself out of the “selling†mind frame. If I know it’s a board that collectors and galleries will not accept then it allows me to paint without considering the outcome. Learn to paint and the selling will come easy later on.
If you want better quality boards (I don’t recommend stretched canvas outside unless you are painting very large) any of these are good quality.
I use something VERY similar* to this Natural Fiber Board
*After reading my FAQ someone emailed me and asked why I wont disclose the exact brand of board I use…for those curious read on.
I buy my board in bulk (80 4×8 foot sheets) directly from a mill once a year. I then spend two weeks applying five coats of gesso to each sheet and sand between each coat. Then the boards are sent out to cut into sizes anywhere from 4×4 to 48×48. When it is all said and done I end up with 700 to 1000 canvas that will hopefully last me a year. This method is expensive, labor intensive, and takes up loads of space so I don’t recommend this for everyone. This may seem like a lot of trouble but if the surface isn’t just right I lose interest in the painting very quickly. By doing this I insure my boards are consistent for a full year.
You will also need a larger board (16×20 or 18×24) to staple the smaller boards to. You can find this at any local hardware store. I recommend ¼ inch MDF board because it is less likely to warp with time. Total Cost: About $15.00
Wet Canvas Carrying Cases: Total Cost: $21.00 and up
- Wind River Arts
- Raymar Art I have never used these but they look excellent and they are cheap
- Guerrilla Carrying Cases
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: $200.00 and up
My paint of choice is Classic Artist Oils….
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
- Hansa Yellow Orange
- Cadmium Orange
- Fire Red
- Quinacridone Red
- Transparent Red Oxide
- Cobalt Blue
- Phthalo Blue
- Sap Green
- Phthalo Green
- Mars Black
4 oz tubes will be fine to start.
Easel: Total Cost: $99.00 and up
You only have four choices in my opinion….
- French Box Easel Good beginners easel…I still use mine if one of my others is out for repairs.
- Soltek Great Easel, Light Weight…only draw back is if it breaks YOU can’t fix it. In five years mine has broken once. If I am only painting small this is my easel of choice.
- Take-It Easel I have been using this easel for a few months now and I LOVE it! I usually start painting large outside (16×20 to 30×40) and this easel handles those large sizes with no trouble. When the day is coming to an end and I am trying to use up the last of the paint on the palette and painting smaller then I just staple small boards to a larger board and go to work. I use this easel 70% of the time now.
- Prochad Box These are very popular but because I rarely paint small I have never found a need for one. If you choose one of these do some research and choose the one you think is best.
Note: Soltek and Take-it Easel both have a 3+ week lead time so if you decide on one of those easels let me know and if yours has not arrived I will let you use mine till then. I only have three portable easels so first come first serve.
Other: About $75.00
- A staple gun - JT 21- with 6mm or 8mm staples…Purchased from Home Depot or other.
- A tool box or old duffel bag that will carry everything. Don’t buy anything special because I may have a suggestion after seeing you equipment.
- Any Odorless Thinner will work
- Something for your thinner…Here Note: Avoid glass…trust me you will break it eventually.
- Paper towels…I like the Thirsty Line from Safeway
- Garbage Bag for your used paper towels.
- A good quality painting knife.
- Hat or visor
- Sunscreen
- Tin Can for your Brushes
- A folding chair so you are comfortable during demos.
- Brush Flush for cleaning your brushes. Call them to see who carries it in your area or buy it from them. Best product I have found for cleaning brushes.
- Lots of water
If you have any questions or have trouble finding something please do not hesitate to ask.
E