Each person has their preferred art materials. Here are some of mine, along with a few additional options to think about and where you can purchase them.
Being an artist means having essential supplies that are relied upon every day. Many of us enjoy purchasing art materials, considering it a guilty pleasure that we can rationalize. Therefore, I would like to share some of my favorite tools and resources. For beginners, this list can serve as a helpful guide on what you might need to begin your artistic journey.
Starting with paints, I primarily work with acrylics and create collages. While I mainly use acrylic paints, I sometimes incorporate chalk paint for certain base layers, particularly in my collage artworks. Additionally, I enjoy incorporating ink, acrylic markers, and soft pastels. Although I occasionally experiment with watercolors and gouache for greeting cards, I don't have any specific preferences for them, except that I like to use Derwent Intense Inks alongside watercolors and gouache. Let's now delve into the exploration.
Paints
Let's start with a bit of history - were you aware that the invention of paint tubes dates back to 1841? The collapsible tube was the brainchild of an American named John Goffe Rand. Despite residing in England at the time, he managed to secure a patent for his creation in the US. Prior to this innovation, artists used to transport their paints in pigs' bladders or glass tubes. Winsor & Newton was the first company to adopt the new paint tubes, a tradition they continue to uphold to this day.
When selecting a paint brand, whether acrylics or oils, the paint tubes provide detailed information to ensure you get the desired color as well as information on viscosity, opacity, and lightfastness. Different paint companies may use varying names for the same pigment color, so it is important to check for the specific pigment color used, usually found beneath the paint name on the tubes (refer to figure 1 in the photo).
Next, you will observe a square displaying various indications of whether it is opaque, semi-opaque, transparent, or semi-transparent. Following that, you will encounter the symbols representing ASTM Lightfastness (refer to chart fig.2). ASTM determines the level of resistance of the paint to light exposure. This is influenced by the chemical composition of the pigment used in the color and the type of medium it is used in, such as oil, watercolor, or acrylics.
Acrylic paints are categorized based on their viscosity, such as heavy body, fluid, or high flow. Heavy body acrylic paints in professional artist sets have a dense and smooth consistency resembling butter. These paints are thick and preserve brushstroke marks and texture. They are suitable for use with both brushes and palette knives.
High flow acrylics are characterized by their ink-like consistency, being incredibly thin and offering great versatility. They can be used directly from the bottle for creating drips, calligraphy, airbrushing, and refillable markers. They are also suitable for use with dip pens, allowing for staining, drawing, pouring, and color washes.
Fluid acrylics have a creamy consistency, providing smooth coverage with minimal brushstroke marks. Like heavy body acrylics, they maintain vibrant colors, with high flow versions also offering this quality.
Regardless of the type of art and painting methods you use, there is an acrylic with the appropriate viscosity for you. If you're similar to me, you might even incorporate all three different thicknesses of acrylics simultaneously in your artwork.
My preference is for Golden Paints' acrylics. While I have experimented with other brands, I consistently come back to Golden. I mainly work with the heavy body type, but I also incorporate all three consistencies in my pieces for various painting techniques. Another brand that features regularly in my collage and mixed media projects is Nova Paints. I use them primarily for my base layers as they are more affordable than Golden and are manufactured in California, USA. Their creamy texture is reminiscent of Golden's Fluid acrylics, and I also utilize their gesso. Selecting an acrylic paint brand comes down to personal preference; most brands are comparable in quality and price. If you are new to painting or seeking alternatives, it is advisable to research and purchase a single tube of paint in a specific color to compare across different brands.
Brushes
Acrylic paints can be quite harsh on brushes. I have experimented with various types of brushes, including those made of natural hair, synthetic fibers, and blends. I prefer to keep separate brushes for watercolors, opting for a softer brush that suits my technique best. However, when working with acrylics, I use synthetic brushes that are specifically designed for acrylic paints. Regardless of the brush material, most brushes are labeled for use with all
types of paint, which can be confusing. Personally, I seek brushes with synthetic fibers that offer good spring and quickly return to their original shape when lifted from the canvas. The choice of brushes, like paint selection, is a very personal one, and it may require some experimentation to find what works best for you.
My initial experience with brushes was with Michael's Royal & Langnickel brushes, and I found them to be quite enjoyable. I still have a few that I continue to use. Additionally, I have used Golden Taklon brushes from Hobby Lobby, which I still hold in high regard. I have also experimented with a combination of hogs hair and synthetic brushes from Jerry's Artarama. These are currently my go-to brushes, alongside with Princeton Aspen brushes. Princeton offers excellent brush quality with a variety of series available. Although I have also tested their catalyst brushes, while they are nice, they do not rank as my top favorites.
Not long ago, I purchased three brushes from Rosemary & Company, all of which are handmade. One of the brushes is a flat Evergreen Series brush designed for acrylics, while the other two are specialty brushes for acrylics. I am amazed by the quality of these brushes and intend to continue buying from this company for future brush needs due to their extensive selection.
There is a variety of brush types to choose from, including flats, brights, rounds, angular, filbert, and specialty brushes tailored for different painting techniques. Afterward, you need to decide between a long handle or a short handle, depending on whether you paint while standing at an easel (long handle) or at a table (short handle). Artists specializing in
landscapes might find that a couple of specific sizes of flats and a detail brush are all they need. Those who frequently paint florals could benefit from adding a filbert and an angular brush to their toolkit. It's worth considering buying brushes of the same size but from different brands to find out your preference.
Remember to explore hardware stores for brushes and tools that can enhance your artwork. You can discover a wide brush suitable for washes or painting the canvas background. Brushes designed for mottling and washing can be expensive for artists, so consider hardware stores as a budget-friendly alternative.
Finally, experiment with painting knives. They can enhance the texture and serve as a finishing touch in your artwork or even complete the entire painting. I suggest steering clear of plastic knives as they don't offer the flexibility and precision of a steel knife. You only need one or two to add to your painting tools. Personally, I use RGM knives that I purchased from Amazon and RGM's official website.
Paint Mediums
From watery to paste-like consistencies, gels and mediums provide a range of thicknesses that enable you to manipulate your acrylic paint. While acrylic colors come in various viscosities, incorporating gels and mediums with your acrylic paint enhances the working characteristics of your paint.
Gels and mediums serve the following purposes:
altering the consistency
altering the sheen
use for gluing and laminating
increase film integrity (Enhance the integrity of the film (referring to the qualitative characteristic of a coating being defect-free, without cracks, or lacking uniformity)
transparency
cost-effective
add texture priming supports
paint-making binders.
Golden Paints provide the widest range of gels, mediums, and additives compared to any other brand.
While it may be overwhelming to have a wide range of mediums available, it's important to note that you don't necessarily need to use all of them. The GAC Series provides a selection of products that allow you to incorporate various mediums into your acrylic paint. These options include mediums for transforming your paint into fabric paint, fabric stiffeners, heat-set fabric painting mediums, and extenders that help maintain color vibrancy. There are also mediums designed for decoupage, mixed media projects, and image transfers. It's crucial to conduct research and determine which mediums align best with your needs, especially since many gels and mediums can serve multiple purposes.
Many acrylic artists opt for using water instead of acrylic paint medium for thinning, dripping, and creating washes. However, thinning acrylics solely with water may pose issues depending on the paint brand used. It's important to understand the extent to which you can dilute your preferred acrylic paint brand with water to avoid problems such as the binder separating from the pigment, weakening the bond, and potentially diluting the color. For instance, I primarily use Golden Paints and after researching on their website, I found that I can dilute them with a 1:1 ratio of paint to water. It's advisable to check the specific recommendations for each acrylic paint brand.
Given that I primarily work with acrylics, I start by thinning my paint with airbrush medium or an acrylic thinner (like Golden's). If necessary, I then add water to my brush before mixing it into the paint. This approach reflects my personal technique and preference.
Another acrylic paint medium I use is acrylic paint retarder. This paint medium slows down the drying time of the paint. I live were we have extrememly hot Summers. Even using a Masterson's Stay Wet Palette paints can dry out in just a couple of days. Adding retarder to my paint it will stay in my palette nicely for for a week. Longer in cooler weather.
Using Gel Mediums is a way to create texture in your artwork. These mediums come in various consistencies, from extra heavy to soft gels, and stay transparent whether wet or dry. They can be combined with paint to make glazes or to increase the amount of paint while maintaining its vivid color. Gel Mediums are also useful as strong adhesives for collages and mixed media projects, as well as for transferring photographic images. Additionally, these gels dry with impressive flexibility and provide resistance to water and UV rays.
Paste Mediums are opaque due to the presence of marble dust or other fillers, which reduce gloss and enhance film integrity.They can serve as a substitute for gesso as a ground. These mediums are ideal for attaching collage and decoupage to surfaces or furniture.
Additionally, there are acrylic paint additives that can be incorporated into your acrylic paints. One such additive that I utilize is a retarder, which, when mixed with the paint, decelerates its drying process. Moreover, instead of solely using water for thinning, you may opt for thinners specifically designed for acrylic paints. These thinners do not compromise the intensity of the paint colors. By combining the retarder and the thinner, I can effectively prolong the drying time of the paint and achieve the desired consistency.
Another type of medium I utilize is regular and heavy gel medium for decoupage and collage. I prefer using the heavy gel when adhering cardboard or small fabric pieces. Additionally, I always have molding paste available for applying with stencils on my canvases to produce a raised surface and enhance the texture of my artwork. Therefore, I work with various gels, mediums, additives, and sometimes acquire unique mediums such as pumice to achieve a gritty paint effect, introducing yet another texture.
Using gels, mediums, and additives can introduce fresh techniques for manipulating paint and inspire your creativity.
To sum up, factors to take into account when selecting your painting mediums
When selecting the acrylic paint mediums you want to use, consider these specific details.
You can modify the drying time of your paint by utilizing mediums that interact with your paint, rather than water. These mediums offer various options for changing the paint, including adjusting its thickness, texture, translucency, and shine.
When choosing between thick and thin mediums, opt for a thin medium with low viscosity for creating thin glazes. If you aim to add texture, go for a thicker medium such as gel gloss or a texture medium.
When choosing between transparency and opacity, opt for a more opaque medium for minimum transparency. Conversely, select a more transparent medium if you desire greater translucency. Utilizing transparency in your paintings can enhance the sense of depth.
Choose between gloss and matte finishes based on the level of sheen you prefer. Gloss offers the highest sheen and clarity in multiple layers. Satin provides a subtle sheen with good clarity. Matte results in a less transparent finish, with color intensity usually slightly lower compared to satin or gloss.
By utilizing mediums, you can enhance the quantity of your paint. The binders in the medium essentially act as a transparent paint. When incorporated into your acrylic paint, it results in a greater paint volume, ultimately reducing the overall cost of your paint, as the medium is more cost-effective than pigmented paint.
Extra Tools that I enjoy using and recommend exploring
I use General's charcoal drawing pencils for sketching on my canvases. They are available for purchase on Amazon or Jerry's Art Arama.
I utilize Faber-Castell Pit Brush Pens for drawing or adding details to my canvas.
If you need erasers for drawing, be sure to take a look at Marie's erasers. In my opinion, these are the top-quality erasers available.
I am a big fan of Golden Paints and their mediums. Additionally, I enjoy using their Open Acrylic Paints, which are slightly more transparent than the Heavy Body ones but definitely worth experimenting with. For purchasing my mediums like Gloss and Matte Medium, I opt for Nova Paints due to their lower cost compared to Golden's, especially since I use a significant amount in my collage projects. Furthermore, I incorporate their varnishes by
mixing Gloss and Flat varieties to produce a satin finish.
That's the list. While I do use other products as well, I believe these are the ones worth exploring.
Have a look at the Tips/Books section below for the resources I recommend. Many of them provide free shipping for orders above a specific total. You can also consider Amazon if you are an Amazon Prime member and require only a few items that qualify for free shipping. While the item price may be slightly higher, it could potentially offset the shipping costs.
Tips/Books
These are the shops I like to frequent. Since I currently reside in a small town far from Michael's and Hobby Lobby, I find it more convenient to shop online. This way, I can avoid being tempted by the attractive art supplies in physical stores. Although Jerry's Art Arama and Dick Blick have brick-and-mortar locations, none are nearby. If you prefer shopping locally, make sure to verify if the online sales are applicable in-store.
Most of my shopping is done at Jerry's Art Arama. They have a 40% off sale on Golden Paints and Mediums a few times a year, and recently I took advantage of an overstock sale where I got Golden Paints at a 41% discount, the best I've seen. Dick Blick and Jerry's both frequently have sales on frames and canvases, offering discounts several times a year. Jerry's also features a weekly weekend special with complimentary items for certain purchases, which can be found in the menu on the left side of the screen. Dick Blick caters not only to professional artists but also to crafters and enthusiasts of other hobbies.
I have bought Princeton Brushes at both Dick Blick and Jerry's. You may also want to look at the Turquoise Iris for brushes and painting knives. They're also handmade I believe.
If you want beautifully handmade brushes checkout Rosemary & Company. I bought three a few months ago and am in love with their performance.
I use Derwent Intense Inks and watercolors because they are intense. I also use their jumbo charcoal and watercolors. You may like to check them out. You can find them online at their website or Amazon.
To find information and research products, simply visit the brand's website. Derwent's website includes a video section and offers useful tips on product usage, which I have personally found to be beneficial.
Golden Artist Paints has an excellent website that provides valuable guidance on utilizing their diverse range of paints and mediums, along with an online mixing guide to assist you in achieving your preferred colors. Princeton Brushes also features a website offering instructions on using their various brushes and maintenance tips. While browsing Rosemary & Company for brushes, the extensive selection posed a challenge in decision-making. Nevertheless, requesting their catalog facilitated the process of choosing the brushes I wished to buy. Below are the websites for your convenience:
https://goldenhub.goldenpaints.com/storage/uploads/cool-to-warm-order-for-golden-heavy-body-acrylics.pdf this is the Golden Paints website for the color charts for all of the acrylic colors
https://www.goldenpaints.com this is the main website for all of Golden Paints. You can not order paints through this website only from retailers, this website is for information purposes.
https://www.theturquoiseiris.com not only can you order brushes and painting knives from her website but shse has an amazing painting and business empowering group which I belong to. Her retreats are amazing.
https://www.rosemaryandco.com beautifully handmade brushes that I find to be pretty comparable in price to Princeton Brushes. Even if you can't afford them at this time it's worth a few minutes of your time to look at her website.
https://princetonbrush.com Again this is their home website you have to purchase their brushes through a retailer but they do have excellent nformation on brushes and offer a monthly newsletter.
https://www.derwentart.us This is another company website but you can purchase their products through them, be sure to check shipping as purchasing through Amazon or Jerrys or Dick Blick.
Freebie
Life is not just about work, especially during the lazy days of Summer. I thought it would be enjoyable to relax with a few coloring pages. Grab your preferred supplies - whether it's colored pencils, markers, watercolors, or even borrow your kids' crayons. Print out the downloads and have a great time.
What I'm Working On
June passed by quickly, almost as if it didn't happen at all, and now it's already mid-July as I'm writing this blog. I admit that I haven't been as productive as I wanted to be and haven't achieved some of my significant goals for this year. However, I believe there must be a reason for this, and only time will reveal it. Lately, I've been looking into PODs.
I plan to utilize print-on-demand services for my artwork and aim to provide prints and a limited selection of other products by the end of the year.
Lately, I have been working on several personal projects at home, such as painting the front
door, adding faux hinges, and planting most of the large posts. I plan to return to the house to complete setting up the guest bedroom, which has been a lower priority for me. Another goal is to finish the studio wall easel project, which I have been postponing for a while. I have conducted extensive research to choose the right DIY Wall Easel that suits my needs, aiming to complete the project efficiently in one go.
I trust that your Summer hasn't been as consumed by work as mine has been. I hope you found moments to spend with loved ones, walk the dogs, go on a trip, or simply relax with a glass of wine while watching the sunset and stars. Wishing you a joyful Summer, my friends. Make the most of your life until next month.
New on My Website:
We are currently ironing out a few details on my updated website (continuously requesting adjustments) and we hope that it will be operational by the time you read this. Additionally, I am in the process of uploading some of the artwork that I have been showcasing on Social Media, and they are now available. The range of Posh Chalk Products that I stock has introduced new items, such as mixing pigments, crackling enamel, and glass plaster. The headquarters of Woodubend and Posh Chalk products are located in Leeds, England, and were founded by Solly Jo, a small furniture painting business. She has been
reaching for the stars with her product lines.
Inspiration Quote
"Always look at the brighter side of life, just like the sunflower which looks upon the sun, not the dark clouds."
(unnkown)
Another month, another blog:
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