Painting Surface
Hardboard - is my favorite
MDF - at smaller sizes can be nice
Board Prep
For Grey Ground Colors - I mix white gesso with black. Cheap gesso’s can be ok for the white gesso, but may be more thin. You get what you pay for.
Most of my board prep uses Transparent Gesso - in some way.
Acrylic Paints are mixed in with small amounts added to the gesso. Go for the high pigment load acrylics - Burnt Sienna is the one I use most that and Raw Umber but I also recommend you get Cad Yellow, Cad Red, Phthalo Blue, Phthalo Green, Carbon Black and Titanium White.
Painting Medium
I used Archival Oils Brand Odorless Lean. That is limited in availability internationally. I also like the Winsor Newton Liquin Fine Detail which I’ll use in the next course.
Oil Paints
Brushes
I used several different brushes to do this painting. Many are not available internationally. I’m placing some links to Robert Simmons Signet Series Brushes. These are great value for the price and are my main go to brush. You want to use Hogs Bristle brushes for oil painting and avoid the dollar store brushes. I use some very inexpensive brushes from DAS in this painting. For future courses I’ll try to use brushes I know are available from Amazon.
Smallest Brush - I used a Silver Brush Grand Prix. These are expensive but really great for those tight/smaller areas or Mini paintings!
Knives
I used several different knives for paint mixing. Unfortunately, they are not available internationally. I recommend smaller knives with flexible blades. This set on Amazon looks pretty good.
Palette
The one used for this painting was from the thrift store. However a regular baking tray works well. I’ve found one on Amazon that looks good.
Other Supplies
Odorless mineral Spirits
Easel
Maul Stick
Oil Bowl
Paper Towels (Good Quality is Best)
Cotton Swabs - Go for quality WITH wooden sticks. The plastic ones do NOT work.
Brush & Hand Cleaner -This stuff will save you a TON on money on brushes AND your brushes just get better with age with proper cleaning!