|
Materials List
Dear Painters,
 |
Here is a list of materials you will need when
you attend my workshop. This selection is based on years of
experience and will help to make your workshop participation
satisfying and rewarding. |
- You will need a support for your paper
(a board on which you will attach your paper).
I suggest gatorboard in white, which generally comes in different
sizes. It can be cut with a utility knife to the size that you
prefer. You can cut it to fit into the bottom of your suitcase
and if you will be working on sheets of paper you can sandwich
them between the gatorboard and a piece of foamcore, cut to the
same size as the gatorboard. The gatorboard is very light weight
and impervious to water. If you already have a support that you
wish to use, that will be fine. Just remember that you want to
keep your supplies as light in weight as possible as we will be
doing some walking. You may also want to bring a lightweight stool
or something to sit on. You will probably be sitting on the stool
and holding your paper support on your lap. Your paper should
be a little smaller in size than your support. The size of  your
paper is not critical. Just remember that it should be a little
smaller than your support.
- Paper:
We will have a variety of mediums being used in our group so you
will need to choose the type of paper appropriate for your particular
medium. For watercolor and acrylic, I recommend hand made, 100%
rag paper sold by the sheet. Many painters have brought blocks
of watercolor paper to my workshops and they have not been satisfied
with the quality of the paper. If you have any questions about
the best paper to use for your medium, please contact me via email
- For those using pastels:
You will need something for blending. This can be tortillions
or stomps. Some also use a small soft brush. If you use your fingers,
remember to bring a damp cloth or paper towels on location with
you for keeping your fingers and therefore your colors clean.
You will need protective sleeves for keeping your work from smearing
in transport. The airlines do not take kindly to a spray can of
fixative so I suggest Glassine papers or interleaving papers cut
to the size of the paper on which you will be working.
- For those using pencils:
Please bring a variety of H's and B's and /or colored pencils.
I recommend the yellow Koh-I -Noor (this is a brand name) eraser
for colored pencils. You will need a nice smooth paper for drawing
such as Arches hot press watercolor paper, Lenox, or Stonehenge.
Daniel Smith sells this. If you prefer a drawing pad, spiral sketch
books are nice. If you want to incorporate some washes with your
sketches, you can use the American Journey  Watercolor
Journal or any other pad that has a good grade of watercolor paper.
It should be at least 140 lb. paper.
- For those using watercolor:
You will need a container of water on location. I suggest plastic.
You will also need a small container for holding water as you
work. Suggestion: Cut the bottom off of a plastic soda bottle.
I recommend the sheets of 100% rag watercolor paper in the appropriate
size for your support.
You should have a good size palette. I recommend the Pike or the
Robert Wood (Wood is my favorite) palette. If you feel that either
of these palettes is too large you will find a variety of palettes
in most Art Supply catalogs. I usually bring a metal one (Holbein).
However, it is a little heavy and doesn't have much room for mixing
paint. Small inexpensive plastic ones are available that you can
use to supplement for mixing. If your palette is new,  scrub
it several times with cleanser and a little water to rough the
surface a bit. This will prevent beading when you mix washes.
A spritzer bottle is a must, as the air will dry the paint quickly.
I am sure you all have your favorite brushes. If you haven't tried
a quarter inch and half inch flat (most already have a one-inch
flat) you might like to try them along with your variety of small
brushes.
You may want to consider bringing a sheet or two of mylar for
trying corrections on paintings. Be sure the mylar will hold watercolor.
- Paint colors:
You will need a warm and a cool red (such as cadmium and alizarin
crimson), a warm and a cool yellow (such as lemon and cadmium),
yellow ochre, hookers green or a nice transparent green, ultramarine
blue plus other blues to your liking (I also like Schmincke Mountain
Blue but that doesn't mean that you have to have it), burnt sienna,
burnt umber and any other colors that you are used to using. (Leave
the paynes gray under the bed!)
If you are using acrylic paint, you will need basically the same
colors. Your palette will be a disposable one for acrylic paint.
Look for one with a shiny surface. I  have
found that ice cube trays, each covered with a plastic bag, is
a very good way of transporting and keeping the paint from drying
out. The spritzer bottle is paramount for acrylic. You may want
to paint on watercolor paper or stretched canvas.
If you are using oil paint, you will need basically the same colors.
Your palette will be an appropriate one for oil, making sure that
it is large enough for mixing colors. Bring whatever medium you
are used to using with the paint. You will find it very interesting
to use a heavy watercolor paper (at least 300 pound) to which
you have applied gesso on both sides of the paper Apply three
coats of gesso, allowing each to dry before applying the next.
You may also use canvas boards or stretched canvas. Bring whatever
brushes you have for oil paint.
- EVERYONE will need:
A 9-inch by 12-inch (or larger) pad of inexpensive white paper.
I suggest a tablet that is spiral bound, and will take pencil,
ink, and light washes, if you are using watercolor. This will
be used for planning and  other
purposes so you will need one that has a large number of sheets.
A 11x14 in. pad of tracing paper or some sheets of tracing paper
cut to the size of your support and sandwiched between the gatorboard
and the foamcore.
A red pencil, an ebony pencil, an HB graphite pencil, a small
pencil sharpener that will sharpen all of the pencils, a Staedtler
plastic eraser (cut a small triangular piece from the corner for
erasing small areas), a pen or two if you like to work with ink.
Some students have been happy that they had their Pigma Micron
pens with them, (a suggestion for pens in airplanes: store them
in ziplock plastic bags and carry them in your carry on. I have
had pens leak that are packed in a suitcase!)
Some paper towels on location for cleaning fingers, a roll of
drafting tape, (not masking tape) and lots of good humor!
 In
the event of rain, please bring some of your own photos for imagery
sources from which to work. If you would like to bring pictures
of paintings that you have done I will be very happy to see them
and give comments if you so desire.
Don't forget your sun screen and a hat or visor. If you have any
questions, please feel free to email me!
Suggested Art Supply vendors:
- Cheap Joe's: Boone, North Carolina, U.S.A.
- Daniel Smith
- Dick Blick
- Jerry's
Usually art suppliers require four to six weeks shipping time
if the materials are being sent outside of the United States.
Therefore, be sure to order your supplies very early. Also, try
your local art supply stores.
top
|
