Varnish

When the oil painting is finally dry, I protect it with Gamblin Gamvar Gloss varnish to protect it for years of enjoyment!

Sketch

The fundamentals! My hands down absolute favorite sketchbook is the Leuchtturm1917 Master A4 Hardcover sketchbook. Even with no spiral, it will still lay completely flat for you when sketching and the pages are thick enough to even use oil pastels in. I’ve even done some light watercolor in it and the pages held up great. Plus, it looks pretty :) Staedler’s drawing pencils and plastic eraser are my go to for sketching. A good ol’ #2 pencil does the trick also though!

STUDIO

I often grab 25 cent vinyls at local thrift stores and 90% of the time have no idea what i’m buying! I get a kick not knowing what I’ll be hearing and it’s almost always just sounds of the past. If you don’t have a vinyl player, you need one!

P R O D U C T S

Things I have & love from my trusty studio. I have compiled a list with links to all of the most important things I use below ↓

Books

To better your drawing skills, Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain I found to be excellent and eye opening. Although it’s a huge splurge, Alla Prima by Richard Schmid is my go to book. If you’re self taught and serious about oil painting, I think it’s worth every penny. Daily Painting by Carol Marine helped me not over think and just paint, everyday. Not all paintings have to be a master piece, just the practice of putting in the brush miles is what makes the difference. Highly recommend all 3!

Surfaces

For larger works I prefer Centurion’s Oil Primed Linen Canvas. I recently started painting on Ampersand Gessobord panels for smaller works and really enjoy them as well. They’re easier to store compared to canvas and you won’t have to worry about them warping over time. For study work or plein air painting, the Phoenix Canvas panels are affordable and work great.

Brushes

It’s hard to name all the brushes I use as there are several brands I have collected over time. The two I always go back to are the Princeton Aspen Series shown below and the Rosemary & Co. Eclipse series brushes.

Palettes

I have found over time that the less clean up I have, the more I paint! Because of this, paper palettes have been my saving grace. If i’m done for the day and need to save my palette, I’ll take my paper pad and place it in the Masterson palette sealer and stick it in my freezer so it’s ready to go the next day. The New Wave glass palette however is excellent and fits perfectly in the seal.

This cart is perfect for holding and organizing your paint essentials. I tend to move my easel around depending on the lighting in my studio. This little guy having wheels makes life just a little easier!

Paint

I use multiple different paint brands and have favorites depending on the color. My absolute favorite paints are made by Michael Harding, however, they are a bit on the pricey side. A more budget friendly option that I often use are by Winsor & Newton, Gamblin or Rembrandt.

Mediums

For medium, I use Refined Linseed Oil by Gamblin. I clean my brushes with Gamsol Oderless Mineral Spirits by Gamblin followed by B&J brush cleaner and preserver. The Silicoil brush cleaning tank is excellent for getting built up paint in your bristles.

Unless you are ok with paint on your clothes, an apron is a must. I purchased one from World Market awhile back that’s no longer available but this one is very similar. Pockets in the front and because it crosses in the back, it won’t put pressure on your neck.