Updated Supply List (oil)
(For the Pastel List, please scroll)
Artists usually work alone, but not without the help of their trusted tools. Their supplies are invaluable to them and necessary to create whatever it is that they're driven to create. These tools therefore must be of a certain standard in order to aid in executing the artist's thoughts and goals.
The following is a list of supplies that I simply can't do without. Well, perhaps I could eliminate a thing or too -if I absolutely had to- but it wouldn't be without a fight. Each has been of great help to me in all of my endeavors to take a thought and express it though the medium of painting.
While I like what's currently on this list of course, I reserve the right to change my mind at any time, without notice. After all, an artist should always be growing. For now, these are the things that make me happy and allow me the great privilege of self expression. Enjoy!
Paints
Winsor & Newton
~Permanent Alizarin
~Cadmium Red
~Cadmium Yellow Pale
~Permanent Rose
~Permanent Magenta
~Terra Rosa
~Yellow Ocher Pale
~Green Gold
Rembrandt
~Cadmium Lemon
~Cadmium Yellow Deep
~Cadmium Orange
~Transparent Oxide Red
~Transparent Oxide Brown
~Ultramarine Blue Deep
~Viridian
Michael Harding
~Cadmium Orange
Williamsberg
~Titanium White
Canvas
www.raymarart.com
RayMar CDP13 (Classens double primed linen adhered to Raymar’s boards)
NOTE: If you’re reading this list in order to prepare for a workshop with me, and you’d like to know how many panels to have at the ready… plan on one panel per each day of the workshop, in a variety of sizes ranging from 8 x 10 to 14 x 18 inches.
Tip: If you don't feel that your work currently warrants the price that these fine linens cost, apply a coat or two of an oil/lead primer to your inexpensive canvases. Gamblin Oil Ground, and Williamsburg Lead Oil Ground are both good choices for this. Currently, I’ve been using Rublev Lead primer to coat my panels.
Brushes
Rosemary & Co.
www.rosemaryandco.com
I use the following series' in all available sizes:
"Eclipse Combers" long flats
Series 56. PURE KOLINSKY short flats
The new “Red Dot” series in short-flats (brights)
Tip: I DO NOT HAVE ANY FAVORITE SIZES! I recommend that you invest in as best a variety as you can possibly afford.
Solvent
Gamsol
Tip: I recommend using a container large enough to hold an ample supply of solvent. You should be able to clean your brushes thoroughly throughout the painting process, which is impossible to do with too little an amount of your Gamsol. Time after time, I see workshop students use the tiniest of containers in art classes. This is an exercise rcise in futility! YOU CANNOT KEEP YOUR BRUSHES CLEAN WITHOUT A LARGE QUANTITY OF SOLVENT EVERY TIME YOU PAINT!
Paper Towels
Viva
Easel
I use the STRADA MINI with attachable side-trays.
Medium
Walnut oil (RARELY)
Varnish
Gamvar by Gamblin
NOTE: If using the above list to prepare for a workshop, DO NOT BRING GAMVAR. Walnut oil is most likely unnecessary as well, and not needed for a workshop experience.
Suggested supplies for pastel workshops:
Backing board
I suggest gatorboard to tape your pastel paper to, either black or white
Tape
Artist tape in black or white
Paper
I prefer to work on mounted paper because of the use of underpainting. UArt board 400 grit in 9x12, 11x14, 12x12, 12 x 16 - or whatever small to medium size you prefer to work on.
Pastels – (Not Oil Pastels)
You will need a wide selection of light values, middle values, and dark values in the color families. Soft pastels – I use Girault, Great American, Terry Ludwig, Unison, Blue Earth, Roche, and Diane Townsend. You will also need a set of pastel pencils (not colored pencils but pastel pencils). I use Caran D’Ache.
Easel
I use a Strada plein air easel on a tripod. For a still-life class, it’s best to find equipment that will take up as little space as possible.
Pastel Box
Something in which you can carry your pastels for easy access and to keep them safe from breakage. I like the foam-lined wooden carrying cases from Dakota Pastel Supply.
Brush
Filbert or Flat (used for the under-painting process so you do not need good brushes), preferably an inch wide or larger.
Rubbing alcohol - for under-painting
Paper Towels
I prefer Viva towels