Oils
Supply list
I've compiled a list of materials at Blick, www.dickblick.com. To visit this list, please go to: http://www.dickblick.com/lists/blicku/JT6S3RLTATZYQ/publicview/I
In case you prefer to buy your supplies locally, find out about the different Plaza Art locations on https://www.plazaart.com/
You may have already some of the materials, so check every item to see if you need it.
Check also the number of items that you need, for example I included 6 brushes #6 but you may need less or more.
Some items in the list, like paints and medium, come in the small size, but you could buy the large size if you think you will use it, as you will save money in the long term. For example I buy some of my paints in the 5oz tube, instead of the 37 ML.
The size and number of canvases will depend on the project you plan to do. In the blick list I included 3 canvases 12x16
MATERIAL LIST
I have noted in red the links to the Blick website or other places where you can buy them.
PAINTS
Brand: M. Graham Artists’ Oil Paints.
Titanium White
Azo Yellow
Indian Yellow
Naphthol Red
Quinacridone Rose
Ultramarine Blue
Manganese Blue Hue
Phthalo Green
Sap Green Permanent
Burnt Umber
These are the colors I use but feel free to bring to my class any colors that you favor. Also, any brand of oil paints is good as long as it is artist grade, not student grade. I am familiar with M. Graham, Gamblin, Utrecht, Sennelier and Rembrandt and I like all.
If you are in a budget or you prefer to use a limited palette, the following colors are good for that:
Titanium White
Azo Yellow
Quinacridone Rose
Manganese Blue Hue
Using a limited palette is a good practice for learning to mix colors. You can see how my demo on how to paint with only these colors here: https://youtu.be/9LoNOiILT-s
Note that if you buy a different brand, the color might be different for the same name. For example, Indian Yellow from M. Graham is quite different to Indian Yellow from Gamblin.
http://www.dickblick.com/products/m-graham-artists-oil-colors/
MEDIUM AND BRUSH CLEANER
Please do not use turpentine in class as the vapors are harmful. Gamsol and Turpenoid are safer but also harmful in poor ventilated areas.
Instead, I recommend the Walnut Alkyd Medium, which is solvent-free.
Walnut Alkyd Medium from M. Graham
I use this solvent-free medium to thin the color, accelerate drying, enhance adhesion between layers and increase surface sheen and flexibility
http://www.dickblick.com/products/m-graham-walnut-alkyd-medium/
Walnut Oil from M. Graham
When I paint several layers, I add Walnut Oil to my medium in the last layers to make it fatter.
You can also use Walnut Oil to clean brushes throughout the painting process and at the end of the session before you clean them with soap and water.
http://www.dickblick.com/products/m-graham-walnut-oil/
Ivory Soap
I thoroughly clean my brushes at the end of a session in two steps: first I remove most of the paint with a paper towel and walnut oil, then I clean the brushes with ivory soap and water.
CVS or similar store.
SMALL JARS FOR MEDIUM AND OIL
JARS: http://www.dickblick.com/products/glass-jars-and-caps/
If you buy from blick, don't forget to buy the caps as they sell them separately
PALETTE
I use a piece of glass sized 16 x 12 inches that I place inside the Masterson Sta-Wet Seal to protect and transport the palette and for keeping the paints fresh longer time. I use a razor scraper to clean my palette. Under the glass I use a sheet of gray paper. If you don't want to use glass, you can use a disposable paper palette.
GLASS: Some art stores sell sheets of glass sized 12x16, for framing, or you could buy it in a framing store.
MASTERSON STA-WET SEAL: http://www.dickblick.com/products/masterson-sta-wet-palette-seal/
RAZOR SCRAPER: Hardware store
DISPOSABLE PAPER PALETTE: https://www.dickblick.com/items/03092-2506/
CANVAS
For sizes up to 18x24 I mostly use canvas panels because they take less space to store (they are more expensive, though). Also, if you use a canvas carrier they are easier to transport.
I recommend Raymarart cotton canvas panels and Raymar panel carriers.
CANVAS PANELS AND CARRIERS: http://www.raymarart.com/
For larger sizes I use Blick premier streched cotton canvas.
STRECHED CANVAS: http://www.dickblick.com/products/blick-premier-cotton-canvas/
BRUSHES
MY BASIC BRUSHES:
I work mainly with Silver Bristlon Synthetic Brushes, flats. It is a personal preference and I think you should experiment also with other types to see what works best for you.
Silver Brush Bristlon Flat
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2 brushes size 2 (I use this size for detail)
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4 brushes size 6 (This is the size I use the most)
I tried to keep this recommendation (and the blick list) to the minimum, but you may need more brushes of each type if you don't want to clean them each time you change colors. Also for large works (18x24 und up) you may need a larger size, like #10
http://www.dickblick.com/products/silver-brush-bristlon-synthetic-brushes/
OTHER RECOMMENDED BRUSHES
If you want to experiment with different shapes, I recommend Bristlon Synthetic Brushes, Set of 4 (flat, filbert, bright and round)
http://www.dickblick.com/items/09229-0049/
If you want to experiment with natural brushes, I recommend Utrecht Natural Chungking Pure Bristle Brushes. They also have a set of 4 with different shapes and sizes.
http://www.dickblick.com/products/utrecht-natural-chungking-pure-bristle-brushes/
For a realistic and detailed style, I recommend Silver Brush Renaissance Red Sable for Oils
http://www.dickblick.com/products/silver-brush-renaissance-red-sable-round/
METALLIC PALETTE KNIFE
I recommend to have at least one, small size (included in the Blick list) and optionally a large size.
SMALL: http://www.dickblick.com/items/03117-1001/
LARGE: http://www.dickblick.com/items/03117-2011/
RAGS OR PAPER TOWELS:
I use both Scott Shop Towels or Viva Paper Towels. Scott is more resistent than Viva but also more expensive.
SCOTT SHOP TOWELS: Hardware store or Amazon
VIVA PAPER TOWELS: CVS or similar