Below is my recommended materials list. Bring what you have, and over time you can pick up the rest.

Canvas panels and Rosemary paint brushes are available for purchase each session. Easel, light and taboret are provided at the studio.

Palette

Use a gray palette. You can make one by painting the back of a piece of plexiglass with gray acrylic, or buy one from your local art store.

• Soho gray palette — budget
• New Wave gray glass palette — fancy

Brushes

Any professional brushes in these sizes are fine.

• Hog hair or natural bristle, flat and/or filbert — #4 (2), #6 (2), #8 (1)
• Kolinsky sable or synthetic, pointed — #4 (1)
• Rosemary & Co. brushes — the ones I use (my basic set)

Paints

No student grade; 40 ml tubes or larger.

• Titanium White
• Cadmium Yellow Light
• Cadmium Red Light
• Quinacridone Red
• Ultramarine Blue
• Cobalt Teal
• Ivory Black

Visiting colors

• Flake White Replacement — or lead white if you can find it
• Cremnitz White — a lead white
• Flake White — a lead white
• Yellow Ochre
• Transparent Yellow Oxide
• Raw Umber
• Burnt Sienna
• Transparent Red Earth — or use Burnt Sienna
• Alizarin Permanent
• Viridian

Painting Surface

We alternate between white (untinted) surfaces and neutral gray toned surfaces throughout the month. It helps to have a few of each ready so you can work along with whichever approach we're using in class.

Surface options

• Masonite (hardboard) panels
• Canvas panels
• Linen panels
• Stretched canvas or linen

Size: I may recommend a specific size for certain sessions. Common sizes: 8 x 10, 9 x 11, 11 x 14 or 12 x 16 in. Have 1–2 surfaces ready for each class, ideally both white and gray toned.

Pre-gessoed (easiest)

• Centurion White Acrylic Primed Linen, 11 x 14 in (3-pack)
• Centurion White Oil Primed Linen, 11 x 14 in (3-pack)

Toning or preparing your own surfaces (optional)

Mix a neutral gray halftone and apply it with a fine nap roller or a smooth brush.

• Utrecht Artists' Acrylic Gesso, white
• Utrecht Artists' Acrylic Gesso, black

Mediums

• Winsor & Newton Liquin Fine Detail Medium — small bottle
• Gamblin Refined Linseed Oil

Brush Cleaner

Any professional odorless mineral spirits are fine. My preferred is Gamblin.

• Gamblin Gamsol, 16.9 fl oz
• Gamblin Gamsol, 33.8 fl oz
• Gamblin Gamsol, 128 fl oz

Additional Materials

• Artist tape — or painter's blue tape
• Binder clips and/or easel clips — 2
• Clip-on metal palette cups — two, for Gamsol and linseed oil
• Rags or paper towels — Viva are my favorite
• Sketchbook and pencil — for notes and sketching

Optional

• 3D color wheel
• Mahl stick / back scratcher — perfect for steadying your hand while painting

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. These are affiliate links: they don't cost you anything extra, but I make a small commission when you use them. Thank you!

Value Scale

Print it out and paint one yourself.