Oil Painting Supplies - Guide For Beginners
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Beginner's Guide to Oil Painting Supplies
When I started oil painting a decade ago, my first visit to the art supply store was overwhelming. The countless options?"from paints to brushes to canvases?"left me confused. Thankfully, a helpful salesperson guided me, but I still left with many items I didn't know how to use. Looking back, I realize I could have saved money by knowing what I know now. Here’s a guide to help beginners start without the unnecessary expense.
Start with the Essentials
As a beginner, it's wise to stick to the basics. You can always explore more options as you gain experience and develop your personal style.
Brushes
Brushes vary in size, shape, and price. Invest in quality brushes to avoid issues like shedding and loss of shape. The type of painting you plan to do?"whether landscapes, portraits, or impasto work?"will determine the brushes you'll need. To start, consider getting a few flats in various sizes, some small rounds for detail, and a fan brush for blending. Also, invest in a good brush cleaner. I recommend the Marx Brush Care System.
Paints
Oil paints come in different grades: student and professional. While it's okay to begin with student-grade paints for practice, professional-grade paints offer more vibrant colors. I use Grumbacher Artist Oils, but Winsor & Newton is also popular. Here's my personal palette, though yours might differ:
- Cadmium Yellow Light
- Yellow Ochre
- Cadmium Red Light
- Cadmium Orange
- Burnt Sienna
- Raw Sienna
- Burnt Umber
- Alizarin Crimson
- Sap Green
- Thalo Blue
- Ivory Black
- Titanium White
Mediums
Medium preference is personal. I use linseed oil for general use and poppy oil for lighter colors because it doesn't yellow as much. Experiment with different mediums to achieve your desired effects.
Canvas and Supports
Most artists use cotton canvas, but options like linen canvas, boards, and canvas paper exist. You may also use rolled canvas for stretching. Start with smaller canvases to see what suits your style. I prefer FREDRIX Red Label Stretched Cotton Canvas for its quality and texture.
Palettes
Palettes are available in various materials: glass, wood, plastic, or paper. My favorite is the BOB ROSS Clear Palette, which is easy to clean and spacious enough for mixing colors.
Easels
Choose from a range of easels based on where you paint. A sturdy easel is crucial to keep your canvas stable. For outdoor painting, consider a French easel like the JACK RICHESON Academy Verona Half French Easel. For studio work, I recommend the lightweight and sturdy STANRITE 500 Classic Aluminum Easel.
I hope this guide helps you on your painting journey. Happy painting!
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