Art Supplies for Painting and Drawing - What Do I Need?

Ever wonder what exactly I use to create my artwork? Well I get that question a lot and so I've put together a comprehensive list of all the things I use and depend on to create my paintings.

art supplies for oil painting and acrylics

About my supplies

The first thing you need to know is that my work space is continuously growing and evolving just as I do as an artist. These supplies are what I currently use and trust, but this does tend to change overtime. I'll keep updating this list as I discover new supplies that I can vouch for. These links are affiliate links below.

Oil paint - what is the best brand?

Now, before going any further, one of the most common questions I get is about what lighting to paint under. You can have the best supplies, but if your lighting isn't adequate, then it can make it extremely difficult to create quality artwork. So here is my recommendations for lighting set ups: 

Professional lighting setups I recommend for artists:

5000k 96 CRI 4FT Fluorescent lamps

Used with 48in Shop light fixture

Or

5000k GU10 LED 94+ CRI bulbs

Used with a track light

My compact setup I use on the go:

5000k LED 90+ CRI bulbs

Clamp-on light fixtures

The Supplies

Updated on: 07/21/2022

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My acrylic paints:

Golden Fluid Acrylics, 2380 Titanium White, 4 oz

When it comes to acrylics, I personally don't use them anymore, but that has nothing negative to do with this medium. I love acrylics and the possibilities with them. Some of my favorite artists continue to produce amazing work with them. So I've moved on to oils because of my curiosity for them and the love of the challenge, but here's what I recommend for acrylics.

For one, these are professional or "artist" grade paints. I do not recommend any lesser quality paints. Quality is a must. Second, I use both fluids and soft body paints. Fluids are great for fine lines and detail work. They are also good for glazing as the thinner consistency allows them to be washed over large areas with ease. The soft body paints are great for blocking in as they cover very well. They can also be better for blending in some circumstances. 

GOLDEN FLUID ACRYLICS:

Must haves - 

Titanium White

Primary Yellow

Naphthol Red light

Ultramarine Blue

Primary Cyan

Quinacridone Magenta

Green Gold

Carbon Black

Burnt Sienna

 

LIQUITEX SOFT BODY ACRYLICS:

Must haves - 

Titanium white

Cadmium Yellow Light

Burnt Umber

Quinacridone Magenta

Cadmium Red

Phthalo Blue (green shade)

Ultramarine Blue

Primary cyan in golden is just phthalo blue (green shade) with a bit of white

Cadmium Orange

Ivory Black

Acrylic Mediums:

Liquitex Glazing Medium

What Oil Paints I Use:

Gamblin Artist's Oil Colors

When it comes to oil paints I stick to one brand to remain consistent in my work. I have been using Gamblin brand oils for a long time, however I have recently switched to Michael Harding Oil Paints.

I must say, I believe I have a better range of possibilities when using the MH Paints over Gamblin. I also enjoy the creamier feel out of the tube and coverage I get with the MH Paints. 

Below is a list of what Michael Harding Paints I use now as well as the list of Gamblin paints that I used. I still recommend Gamblin, but I do prefer the Michael Harding now.

Michael Harding Oil Paint Sets and Colors

Colors I use include: Phthalo Blue Lake, Cobalt Blue, Cobalt Teal Blue Shade, Phthalo Green Yellow Shade, Bright Green Lake, Cad Yellow Lemon, Cad Yellow, Cad Yellow Deep, Indian Yellow, Cad Orange, Cad Reg, Transparent Red Oxide, Magenta, Crimson White, Titanium White 1. I also use Burnt Sienna for my sketch underpainting.

GAMBLIN ARTIST'S OILS:

Must haves - 

Titanium White

Quinacridone Magenta

Cadmium Yellow Light

Cadmium Red light

Ultramarine Blue

Phthalo Blue

Cadmium Orange

Burnt Sienna

I also really like Chromatic Black. This is a black mixed perfectly by using complimentary colors and no carbon. Works great for mixing or glazing on deep shadows.

Chromatic Black

Other favorites I use often -

Violet

Phthalo Green

Green Gold

Manganese Blue Hue

Cobalt Blue

Oil Mediums:

Gamblin Galkyd Mediums

I use an alkyd-based medium which dries fairly quick in terms of oil paints.  quickly. I used to use Galkyd and Liquin Original listed below, but mainly use a little bit of Liquin Impasto now and a touch of walnut oil if I need it.

Liquin Impasto 

-

Galkyd Medium

I do not use larger than a 4oz bottle as larger bottles tend to harden up inside before it's all used up.

The other brand of this medium is by Windsor & Newton.

W&N Liquin

I clean by brushes with Gamblin's Gamsol odorless paint thinner.

 

Odorless Paint Thinner

Brushes:

paint brushes for acrylics and oils

**All brush links are correct, however some images on the actual product pages may differ. Check the product type below the image/description**

When it comes to my brushes, I'm not too picky. I find that I tent to wear out expensive brushes just as quickly as inexpensive brushes with the techniques that I use. I'm very hard on brushes. So this list is what I prefer based on low cost and great performance. You don't need all of the kinds of brushes in each category, but a couple in each is certainly helpful.

Oil vs Acrylic? Actually, I use the same brushes for both types of paint. Just make sure that the brushes are thoroughly clean and dried prior to switching from one to the other.

Blender Brushes - these are the blender brushes I use and refer to often.

Princeton Round Blender #6

Princeton Round Blender #12

Detail Brushes - These are brushes I use for fine detail like fur, eye reflections, and finishing touches.

The Dagger Striper

Masterstroke #2/0 Liner

Princeton #0 Round

Princeton #3 Round

Princeton #6 Round

Filbert Brushes - These brushes I use for blocking in small to medium size areas as well as moderate detail work. They create beautiful soft blends or crisp edges.

Princeton #8 Filbert

Princeton #12 Filbert

Raphael #8 Filbert

Raphael #12 Filbert

Flat/Bright Brushes - These brushes I use to cover larger areas quickly and for blending larger objects such as clouds.

Raphael #14 Short Bright

Raphael #16 Bright

Raphael #6 Angular

Raphael #10 Angular

Fan Brushes - I don't use fan brushes often, but when I do, I like this one

Masterstroke Fan

Sponges - I use these often for adding texture to rocks or similar objects.

Royal Super Value Sponge Set, Set of 4

Natural Sponges 4 Pack

Canvas/Panels:

Blick Premier Cotton Canvas

When it comes to the surface I paint on, I like texture. I painted for years on gessobord/MSD panels and eventually moved away from them as I found them too smooth. I like the paint to be pulled off my brush easily and be able to work more efficiently which a bit of canvas texture can do wonders for.

Stretched Canvas - When I paint on anything typically smaller than 18x24", I prefer stretched canvas with 1.5" stretching bars.

Best Affordable choices:

These are fantastic canvases if you're on a budget! I've used and liked both often throughout the years.

W&N Classic 11x14"

W&N Classic 16x20"

W&N Classic 18x24"
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Blick Premier 11x14"

Blick Premier 16x20"

Blick Premier 18x24"

Highest Quality:

If quality and longevity matters to you, or if you plan on painting something large, then these high-end canvases fit the bill. The best part? They won't break the bank!

Masterpiece Pro 16x20"

Masterpiece Pro 18x24"

Masterpiece Pro 24x36"
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Belgian Linen 16x20"

Belgian Linen 18x24"

Belgian Linen 24x36"

Rolled Canvas - This canvas I use to make my canvas panels. I cut and mount the rolled canvas to a hardboard panel.

Artfix Linen Canvas Rolls

Fredrix Knickerbocker Roll

Fredrix Belgian Linen Roll

How to mount - I use a PH neutral glue and glue it to a piece of hardboard. 

PVA Glue

Ampersand Hardbord

I will be posting a video on the steps I take to mount the canvas to board. In short, I thin the glue down with water, spread it out evenly to the board, place cut canvas on top, and smooth it out with a flat edge. To dry I place it on a flat board with another flat board on top with weight added to sandwich it until dry. To finish, I fold the edges around to the back and glue them down.

Gesso - The gesso I prefer to use when applying extra coats which I normally do to my store bought canvas.

Liquitex White Gesso

If you want to know how I apply my gesso to my canvases then checkout my how to video here: youtu.be/_9lrRyr_zW8

Sprays/Sealants:

Krylon #1303 Crystal Clear, Crystal Clear , 11 oz

I spray my acrylic paintings with Krylon Crystal Clear spray prior to painting over the top with oils.

Crystal Clear

I spray my drawings with Krylon Workable Fixatif. This works also for sealing my initial drawings on canvas prior to painting over the top.

Workable Fixatif

Plein Air Equipment:

 plein air box

My favorite plein air boxes are the Guerilla Painter boxes -
6x8" Box
8x10" Box (what I use)
9x12" Box

Tripod
The brush I'm loving for plein air painting
Mini palette cups for your mediums
Mini brush cleaner cup

Other Tools/Equipment:

Blick Studio Medium-Duty H-Frame Easel

 

The Easel I use - 

H-Frame Easel

Another I would recommend -

Meeden H-Frame

I use a palette knife for mixing paint often and various little tasks I can find.

Palette knife

Others:

T-square

Brush Cleaner

Framing Tool

Mixed-media Drawings:

Prismacolor Premier Double-Ended Brush Tip Markers and Sets

If you've been following my work, you know that I also love to do my mixed media drawings on paper. I use Prismacolor brush markers along with the Golden Fluid Acrylics listed above to create these works of art. Here are the supplies I use for those drawings.

Paper - I create these drawings on a heavyweight mixed media paper by Strathmore.

400 Series Paper

PRISMACOLOR MARKERS:

View all colors and sets

My favorite colors list - 

Nuetral gray set
True Blue
Sky Blue Light
Cerulean Blue Light
Canary Yellow
Goldenrod
Sunburst Yellow
Poppy Red
Carmine Red
Cool Gray 10%
Cool Gray 30%
Warm Gray 10%
Warm Gray 20%
Warm Gray 30%
Light Umber 20%
Light Umber 30%
Mocha Light
Mocha Dark
Sienna Brown
Cinnamon Toast
Cream
Deco Pink
Burnt Ochre