Generally bring what paint colours, brushes, palette, and mediums you already have. I provide easels, paint carts, and MDF boards on which to tape your photo references and canvas paper studies.
YOU WILL ALSO NEED:
A pad of canvas sheets 9×12″ or 12×16″ (brand such as SinoArt) for the painting projects. OR if you prefer, some inexpensive primed canvasses in that size, or cropped rectangles of unstretched canvas, which you will need to prime with artist gesso.
Please prep your surface with at least one layer of Golden white acrylic gesso, let it dry, and sand with fine sandpaper.
Recommended paint colours, large tubes:
Titanium white
Hansa Yellow Medium or Cadmium Yellow Medium
Quinacrodone red
Yellow ochre
Burnt sienna
Ultramarine blue
Pthalo green or viridian green
Brushes: Bring what you have, which hopefully includes a range of sizes. I like the following for a basic kit. You can use synthetic brushes not only for acrylics but for oils, and vice-versa. So I like to have a few of each type. The synthetic brushes in general making a more precise mark, for sharper edges. The bristle brushes are great for softer edges. Different edge qualities, when used with awareness, can expand the feeling of space in your paintings. 🙂
#2, 6, 12 brights or flats Opus Mezzo Acrylic Brushes or equivalent
#2, 6, 12 rounds, hog bristle
#1 round, synthetic
1″ flat, synthetic
Accessories:
12 x 16” white or grey disposable paper palette pad such as Canson. Or bring the type of palette you typically like to use, such as a rectangle of plexiglass or plasic , or a wooden palette. Just make sure it’s a generous size such as 12 x 16″ because small palettes are more challenging to keep your colour mixtures organized.
Palette knife small diamond shape approx 1 inch long
If you are oil painting:
*Refined walnut oil or linseed oil: Please note that you don’t have to add oil to your paint, you can paint with just mineral spirits, or just with pure paint. However I like using a medium containing both because I can make more transparent layers with a tougher film and a bit more luminosity than just working with spirits. Your choice. If you are not sure, you can experiment in your first class by using my medium and see how that feels.
Odorless mineral spirits such as Gamblin Gamsol.
A 30 gm glass jar with lid for your medium.
250 gm glass jar with lid for your spirits.
If you are acrylic painting:
1 litre plastic container for water. ie Yogurt container
Large spray bottle for water, one that provides a fine mist
Golden acrylic retarder medium
Small 2 oz container with lid for your medium.
Miscellaneous:
Golden acrylic gesso, 500 gm
400 grit (fine) sandpaper
Plenty of shop towels or paper towels, or cotton rags
Sketchbook
black or blue ballpoint pen, preferably archival brands such as Uniball, which offer waterproof/fadeproof pens (found at Staples)
HB pencil
Pencil sharpener
White plastic eraser
Scissors
Old clothes, old shoes, apron: painting can be messy!
Housepainter tape 1”
Recommended but optional: Nitrile disposable gloves (latex-free) available at hardware store.
Barrier cream (art supply or paint supply store)