Materials & Tools

Brushes

Round brushes for detail work and washes. Flat brushes for covering large areas and creating sharp edges. Filbert brushes combine the benefits of round and flat. Natural bristle for oils, synthetic for watercolor and acrylic. Sizes range from 000 (very small) to 24 (large).

Watercolor Paints

Available in tubes and pans. Student grade offers good value for practice, while artist grade provides richer pigments and better lightfastness. Essential colors include ultramarine blue, cadmium yellow, alizarin crimson, and burnt umber.

Oil Paints

Traditional medium with slow drying time. Available in student and artist grades. Requires solvents for thinning and cleanup. Essential colors: titanium white, cadmium yellow, cadmium red, ultramarine blue, burnt umber, and yellow ochre.

Acrylic Paints

Water-based, fast-drying medium. Versatile and suitable for beginners. Can be used thickly or thinned with water. Good color selection available in both student and artist grades.

Watercolor Paper

Available in different weights: 140lb (300gsm) is standard. Textures include hot-pressed (smooth), cold-pressed (medium), and rough. Quality paper prevents buckling and allows for lifting and layering techniques.

Canvas

Stretched canvas or canvas boards. Primed with gesso for oil and acrylic. Linen canvas is premium, cotton canvas is standard. Sizes vary from small studies to large works. Pre-stretched options available.

Drawing Paper

Sketchbooks and drawing pads in various sizes. Paper weight and texture affect pencil and charcoal work. Newsprint for practice, heavier paper for finished drawings.

Palettes

Wooden palettes for oils, plastic palettes for watercolor and acrylic. Disposable palette paper offers convenience. Glass palettes provide a neutral mixing surface. Consider size based on your workspace.

Easels

Table easels for small works and limited space. Standing easels for larger canvases. Portable easels for outdoor work. H-frame easels provide stability for studio work.

Additional Tools

Palette knives for mixing and applying paint. Sponges for texture and cleanup. Masking tape for clean edges. Rags or paper towels for wiping brushes. Water containers for cleaning brushes.

Material Selection Guide

Choosing Quality Materials

Material quality affects your painting experience and results. Student-grade materials offer good value for practice and learning, while artist-grade materials provide richer pigments and better handling properties. Understanding the differences helps you make appropriate choices for your practice level and budget.

We recommend starting with student-grade materials for initial practice, then investing in artist-grade supplies as your skills develop. This approach balances learning needs with material costs.

Tool Maintenance

Brush Care

Proper brush cleaning and storage extends their lifespan. Learn cleaning methods for different paint types and storage techniques that maintain brush shape.

Palette Maintenance

Keep palettes clean and organized for efficient mixing. Different palette types require different cleaning approaches depending on the medium used.

Paint Storage

Store paints properly to prevent drying and maintain quality. Tube organization and storage conditions affect paint longevity and usability.

Workspace Organization

An organized workspace supports efficient painting practice. Learn setup methods that keep materials accessible while maintaining a clean working area.