“All our lifetime we use our eyes... but in learning to paint, we finally really learn how to see.”


Stanrite #500 Aluminum easel
I prefer this type of easel for it’s lightweight quality.  I have seen too many artists struggle with their heavy wooden French easels.  On windy days, one can tie their painting bag on to this easel for ballast.  This easel also folds up easily for traveling anywhere.  If you do prefer a French easel, buy a Julian. I have been told that it outlasts other brands, but don’t forget the ½ size is lighter in weight.

Oil Colors

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I use Winsor Newton Artists’ Oil color except in the Cadmium Red, Permalba white, and Pthalo blue.

  Permalba White                            Cadmium Yellow                           Cadmium Lemon
  Yellow Ocre                              Alizarrin Crimson                             Burnt Sienna
                      French Ultramarine                       Pthalo Blue-Rowney                               Viridian                                 
     Cadmium Orange                   Cadmium Red-Grumbacher                                                   

Brushes

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Bristle Brushes - Filbert style - Size #5, #7, and#10 - two of each

Canvas

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Stretched canvas - three 9" x 12" and two 11" x 14" to begin with

Additional Items

  1. Mineral Spirits - the combination of linseed oil plus mineral spirits = medium
  2. Linseed Oil
  3. Leak proof container - to carry your medium
  4. Carpenter’s bag or good canvas bag – for easy access to your materials. This will become your traveling art valet. Be creative on this item. It could even be a rolling suitcase if you find one you like.
  5. Sunlight dishwashing liquid - for washing brushes
  6. Plastic box with division spaces to store your paint tubes- You need to store your paint tubes so they won’t bang into each other and become cut open by their sharp ends. There is nothing worse then a new paint tube oozing out from all directions as you try and squeeze it. Make sure it fits inside your paint bag easily.
  7. 9" x 12” - ¼ inch glass
  8. 9" x 12”- Two pieces of cardboard - Must be gray, not white
  9. Masking tape
  10. Drawing pencil - HB is good
  11. Sketch book - one that fits into your art bag
  12. Roll of Brawny paper towels - Believe me, Brawny is the best for oil painting
  13. Metal Cup -  for medium that will slip on to your palette
  14. Large blue “care nothing about" shirt- denim is good. When painting one should not need to worry about their clothing. It is best that you become totally lost into your painting. This shirt also works beautifully as a rag if necessary because you never know where phthalo blue will show up. Mine is a men’s large.
  15. Bottle of drinking water - for outdoor painting
  16. Sun block - for outdoor painting
  17. Plastic bags for trash - the free ones you get when you shop for food
  18. Hat with visor or brim - for outdoor painting
  19. Razor Blade scraper and razor blades - to clean your palette
  20. Garden gloves with fingers cut out - this helps to keep you warm on cold painting days outdoors
  21. A piece of twine - to use to tie your art bag to the easel on a windy day
  22. Comfortable shoes - at times you may stand at your easel for hours, or end up walking to a beautiful painting site

A Message from Thea

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My quest is to make painting as fun and enjoyable as possible for all. The one thing I hate is to carry “stuff” so I have tried to make this supply list as organized and short as I can. Lugging heavy painting equipment will decrease your painting enjoyment immensely and can place limits on your painting site choices. I am looking forward to teaching you how “to see” for this is the essence of painting.  Feel free to call me with any questions (number listed below).

Englewood, Florida   -   Vinalhaven, Maine 
941-474-1015   -   tnnelson@aol.com