If you are visiting this page as one of my students, is not necessary to buy the same materials that I use. The skills and intentions you bring to your work are far more important than the type of brushes you have. Your understanding of color theory will take you further than the quality of paint you buy. That said, many students are interested in purchasing the materials I use. You may find that by using the same supplies, it becomes easier to translate my lessons to your own paintings. On this page, I will share all of the materials that bring me joy and support my desired results. Notice that some materials are marked (essential priority 1) while others are marked (practical priority 2) or (special priority 3) to differentiate between the core supplies which are a great place to start, and supplies that you may want to consider adding along the way.
Paint Colors
For those of you who own many oil paints already, check those old paint tubes first, you may have equivalent colors going by different names from other brands.
White Titanium-Zinc Blend (essential priority 1) (Permalba or Utrecht)
Cadmium Red Light (essential priority 1) (Gamblin 1980)
Cadmium Orange (practical priority 2) (Utrecht or Gamblin +)
Transparent Orange (practical priority 2) (Gamblin +)
Yellow Ochre (practical priority 2) (Gamblin 1980)
Cadmium Yellow Deep (special priority 3) (Utrecht or Gamblin +)
Cadmium Lemon Yellow (essential priority 1) (Utrecht or Gamblin +)
Cadmium Green (special priority 3) (Gamblin 1980)
Phthalo Green (essential priority 1) (Gamblin 1980)
Phthalo Blue (practical priority 2) (Gamblin 1980)
Ultramarine Blue (essential priority 1) (Utrecht or Gamblin +)
Dioxazine Purple (practical priority 2) (Utrecht or Gamblin +)
Quinacridone Magenta (practical priority 2) (Gamblin 1980)
Alizarin Crimson Permanent (essential priority 1) (Gamblin +)
Raw Umber (essential priority 1) (Gamblin 1980)
Naples Yellow (special priority 3) (Utrecht or Gamblin +)
Radiant Magenta (special priority 3) (Gamblin +)
Notes: The '+' signifies Professional Quality. Utrecht and Gamblin have proven to be an exceptional value giving a high quality for the price. Gamblin's 1980 student grade even holds up well in specific colors. However, if you can afford it by all means buy professional quality across the board, and if you can afford Michael Harding brand paints then buy me some as well.
Cadmium Red Light (essential priority 1) (Gamblin 1980)
Cadmium Orange (practical priority 2) (Utrecht or Gamblin +)
Transparent Orange (practical priority 2) (Gamblin +)
Yellow Ochre (practical priority 2) (Gamblin 1980)
Cadmium Yellow Deep (special priority 3) (Utrecht or Gamblin +)
Cadmium Lemon Yellow (essential priority 1) (Utrecht or Gamblin +)
Cadmium Green (special priority 3) (Gamblin 1980)
Phthalo Green (essential priority 1) (Gamblin 1980)
Phthalo Blue (practical priority 2) (Gamblin 1980)
Ultramarine Blue (essential priority 1) (Utrecht or Gamblin +)
Dioxazine Purple (practical priority 2) (Utrecht or Gamblin +)
Quinacridone Magenta (practical priority 2) (Gamblin 1980)
Alizarin Crimson Permanent (essential priority 1) (Gamblin +)
Raw Umber (essential priority 1) (Gamblin 1980)
Naples Yellow (special priority 3) (Utrecht or Gamblin +)
Radiant Magenta (special priority 3) (Gamblin +)
Notes: The '+' signifies Professional Quality. Utrecht and Gamblin have proven to be an exceptional value giving a high quality for the price. Gamblin's 1980 student grade even holds up well in specific colors. However, if you can afford it by all means buy professional quality across the board, and if you can afford Michael Harding brand paints then buy me some as well.
Brushes / ToolsFlat Bristle Brushes in Various Sizes (essential priority 1) (Robert Simmons Signet) a couple small: 1, or 2s, a few medium: 4, 6, and 8s, one or two large: 10, or 12s
Notes: I mostly use medium brushes throughout the painting process. However, if I wish to achieve details, small brushes in good condition are important. The brush sizes here are based on plein-air sized canvases, and if I paint on a much larger surface, I will want larger brushes. Palette Knife (essential priority 1) Fan Bristle Brush (special priority 3) Industrial Flat Chip Brushes in Various Sizes (special priority 3) Squeegees (special priority 3) I use a small window squeegee as well as various sizes of thick foam squeegees |
Surface / Canvas
Large Palette (essential priority 1) a surface to mix paint on can be wood, plastic or glass, the more space for mixing the better, and preferably a neutral colored palette like grey or brown (not white)
Canvas Panels in Various Sizes (essential priority 1) small sizes for plein-air, studies and studio: 8x10", 9x12", 12x12" 11x14", medium sizes for studio painting and color charts 12x16", 16x20", 18x24"
Gesso Primed Cradled Wood Panels (special priority 3) panels may be bought primed, or gesso can be applied to raw wood
Notes: Standard stretched canvas is easily damaged which is the main reason I personally have moved away from using it. I have come to prefer cradled wood panels which have a contemporary finish that I find appealing prior to framing options.
Canvas Panels in Various Sizes (essential priority 1) small sizes for plein-air, studies and studio: 8x10", 9x12", 12x12" 11x14", medium sizes for studio painting and color charts 12x16", 16x20", 18x24"
Gesso Primed Cradled Wood Panels (special priority 3) panels may be bought primed, or gesso can be applied to raw wood
Notes: Standard stretched canvas is easily damaged which is the main reason I personally have moved away from using it. I have come to prefer cradled wood panels which have a contemporary finish that I find appealing prior to framing options.
Clean-up
Paper Towels (essential priority 1) (Viva or Auto Shop)
Odorless Mineral Spirit (essential priority 1) (Gamsol or Turpenoid)
Brush Washing Can (essential priority 1) At least 500ml
Trash Bin with Lid (essential priority 1)
The Masters Brush Cleaner (practical priority 2)
Awesome Cleaner (special priority 3)
Notes: When you have finished painting for the day, the brushes you used may be cleaned with dish soap or 'Awesome' then rinsed with water, and afterwards I use 'The Masters' cleaner to condition the bristles.
Odorless Mineral Spirit (essential priority 1) (Gamsol or Turpenoid)
Brush Washing Can (essential priority 1) At least 500ml
Trash Bin with Lid (essential priority 1)
The Masters Brush Cleaner (practical priority 2)
Awesome Cleaner (special priority 3)
Notes: When you have finished painting for the day, the brushes you used may be cleaned with dish soap or 'Awesome' then rinsed with water, and afterwards I use 'The Masters' cleaner to condition the bristles.
Easels / Mediums / Other Tools
Standing Studio Easel, or French Box Easel (essential priority 1)
Brush Sleeve (practical priority 2)
Paintbrush Holder (practical priority 2) studio jar or drumstick clamp
Galkyd Medium (special priority 3)
Liquin Medium (special priority 3)
Tube Wringer (special priority 3)
Blue Painters Tape (special priority 3)
Tape Measurer (special priority 3)
Brush Sleeve (practical priority 2)
Paintbrush Holder (practical priority 2) studio jar or drumstick clamp
Galkyd Medium (special priority 3)
Liquin Medium (special priority 3)
Tube Wringer (special priority 3)
Blue Painters Tape (special priority 3)
Tape Measurer (special priority 3)