We do not need a lot of acrylic painting supplies to start painting, so, keep the list short and get things you do not have yet as you go.
Brushes
1 flat brush, soft, synthetic for either watercolor or acrylic painting, ¾ inch wide; or about the same size Filbert brush (rounded corners). 1 small soft watercolor or acrylic brush, size 4 round, fan brush for oil painting (rough bristles). If fan brush with rough bristles is not available, get simple wall/window painting brush, 1-1.5 inch wide. We will cut it out with scissors, so that it can do more. I will show how.. We can use Filbert brushes ( slightly rounded top) in small to medium sizes also.
Canvas
We use 16 x 20 in canvas. If you believe you are rather slow with brushing paint, the smallest size is 12 x 16 in. However, painting larger is easier. You will need to paint your canvas in medium dark grey or brown color before you come to class. The edges of canvas need to be covered with one layer of paint as well. That helps creating better art faster.
Acrylic paints
Beginners can use AMSTERDAM students’ grade or Liquitex Basics students’ grade paints. Artist’ s Loft (Michael’s brand) will work, as well.
The best is to get a professional grade Titanium white and two yellow colors: one lemon yellow and the other cadmium medium yellow or similar warm yellow. White and yellow are very weak colors in any students’ grade paints. I’d not advise to get a paint set, but rather separate tubes because we use white and yellow much more than other colors. You do not need any green color..
Short list of acrylic paint colors:
You will need 6 basic colors to get started:
White: Titanium white, required more than other colors
Black: Lamp black or Mars black
Red: Cadmium medium red, Primary magenta, Crimson pyrrole, Carmine red, Crimson lake, Carmine lake, Naphtol red medium or similar, whatever red the brand you want to use has. However it is great to have 1 warm red (more orange red) and 1 cold red (more purple).
Yellow: Hansa or Lemon yellow and Cadmium yellow medium, Azo yellow light or medium, having 2 yellow shades is important for color mixing. If you have just one, please, choose medium yellow (warmer).
Blue: Prussian blue and/or Ultramarine blue
Artist grade paints have more pigment and less fillers and binders. If you would like to use artist’s grade paints, I would advise Liquitex heavy body, Graham (satisfactory quality, not that great tubes) or Golden (also tough to open tubes).
Longer list of acrylic paint colors:
White: Titanium white
Black: Lamp black, Mars black or Ivory black
Yellow: 1 cold and 1 warm yellow, such as Hansa or Lemon yellow, Cadmium yellow medium, Azo yellow light or medium
Ocher: yellow ocher or golden ocher
Red: 1 cold and 1 warm red, such as Primary magenta, Carmine red (Crimson lake, Carmine lake) and Pyrrole red
Red-brown: Burnt sienna
Warm dark brown: Burnt umber
Blue: 1 dark blue and 1 light blue, such as, Prussian blue or Ultramarine blue, brilliant blue, sky blue or Cerulean blue
Dark grey: Payne’s grey
Light grey: premixed grey
Additional supplies: white plastic disposable plates (it is important plate is white). Do not use mixing papers or flat palettes which are not suitable for mixing wet paint. I will not accept them for art classes. Mixing paper does not work with many acrylic paint applications.
At least 10 sheets of paper towel per class. It is very important you use paper towel, it is not possible to paint without cleaning your brush frequently.
We use pre-painted canvas so that painting is much easier.
Additional supplies for easing the painting process
Plastic knife
Seaweed sponge or silk sponge
Slow-drying medium and blending medium, as well as modeling paste are useful, but we use them only for certain projects and get by with water initially. I have my own blending medium which I create from 3 components, I will show how.
It is better to have fewer acrylic painting supplies and better quality supplies. It is recommended to get paints at the art store. Artisan liquid paints from the Dollarama absolutely do not work.
Schedule: Art classes, schedule and registration