Materials List

This list is a recommendation. If certain tools or materials aren’t accessible, feel free to reach out directly or in the comment section below, and we’ll suggest alternatives. Our goal is to establish effective practices and methods, so art supplies shouldn’t be too difficult to source.

Brushes:

Different painting methods require different types of brushes. In our practice during this workshop we will need brushes which are soft enough it's why generally speaking I suggest using synthetics as main brushes and bristles as additional type. Shapes: filberts or flats, preferably long.

The set of most important brushes I will use during the course:

🎨 Arthur Gain Portrait Essential Brushes Set


Brands I use: Rosemary and Co, Escoda, da Vinci and sometimes just various synthetic brushes I buy occasionally in art supply stores

Soft Synthetics:

Escoda Modernista series are very similar to Eclipse although with less variety of shapes

Rosemary Bristles:


Oil Paints:

It's not a mandatory to use the same colors as I do especially if you already have your own favorite set of pigments.

I generally prefer Rublev, Michael Harding and Old Holland. Other brands I use occasionally are Gamblin, W&N Artists and Sennelier


Supports and Mediums:

The best surface is oil ground so my recommendation is to use canvases or panels primed with oil. If you prime your panels yourself - I recommend to use Michael Harding Non-absorbent Acrylic Primer. Panels/canvases primed with acrylic gesso (most common ones you can find in any store) are OK but I suggest to use medium for initial paint application.

For warm-ups and practice:

Canvas sheets/pads:

Centurion linen pad 9x12" - they are the best in my opinion, easy to tape to the board, they are primed with oil ground and relatively inexpensive. In most of the cases you can divide (or cut) them into 2 small sheets of 6x9".

There are many canvas pads on the market so feel free to explore your local stores or online shopping possibilities. Alternative is to buy a sheet of linen canvas and to cut it to small pieces (6x8" to 8x10") - you'll find links below

Oil painting paper:

Canson Figueras Oil & Acrylic 290gsm Paper pad. This paper has nice texture, probably is my fav. Should be easy to find everywhere in the world

Alternatives: Arches Oil Paper 9x12" or Clairefontaine

For Saturday painting sessions:

You will need 4 panels/canvases. I will use sizes 9x12" and mostly 12x16". Feel free to use sizes you have or like and if you are trying things out - I recommend to do 2 smaller and 2 larger ones to see the difference and to find what suits you most.

You can use same supports as for short exercises or prepare canvases on stretcher bars or paint on oil primed panels. I believe the panels are the best - they are rigid and oil ground allows to wipe paint off completely if it is still wet so they can be reused.

You can order Panel Set from Artefex

Other alternatives: Jerry's or Centurion

Sometimes the best way is to buy enough linen canvas to cut it to small pieces for exercises and keep some bigger sizes for alla prima efforts.

Canvas:

Claessens 13DP (Oil Primed) - some stores can sell you cut pieces while others are selling in rolls by meters (usually 1 meter of roll should be enough)

United States: HERE

United Kingdom: Jackson

Europe: Schleiper or Artemiranda (1st option)


I highly recommend to have this masking tape: https://amzn.to/3SYds83 (to tape pieces of canvas or pads on board)


Mediums and solvents:

We will use mediums only for diluting paint (if needed) and increasing the flow (when surface is too dry)

Although Odorless Mineral Spirits (Gamsol) are considered "safe" I strongly recommend to have proper air tight jar and keep it closed all the time when the solvent is not used.


Other painting tools:

  • Mahl stick
  • Metal palette knife - better to have two flexible ones. I use RGM and Holbein MX
  • Paper Towels (in rolls)


This list will be updated, if you have any questions about materials - post your comments here!


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