Supply List for “Big Brush Acrylics”

For a printable copy of this list click here.

Brushes: You may use your current brushes as long as they are in GOOD CONDITION. You can’t paint with brushes that are splayed out from dried paint in them; please wash your oil painting brushes well before using them for acrylic painting as the two just don’t mix!

From Top to bottom: 1” brush, #8 Flat, #4 Flat, #6 Rigger;
Flats are made of Hog Bristle, Rigger is synthetic. I use “Winton” flats (has long bristles), and a Robert Simmons “White Sable” Rigger. Other good brands are Grumbacher (Eterna), American Painter, Winsor & Newton (my favorite), Dick Blick’s, Fine Touch and Master’s Touch. Riggers (LONG hairs) are available at Michael’s and Hobby Lobby.

Paints: Any good quality acrylic brand (Galleria (preferred), Liquitex, Van Gogh, Daler-Rowney, Winsor& Newton, etc.) will do.

1.Cadmium Red, Light (Any Bright red will do).
2.Cadmium Yellow, Light (or Hansa Yellow)
3.Raw Sienna (or Yellow Ochre AKA “Yellow Oxide”)
4.Burnt Sienna (or Red Iron Oxide)
5.Alizarin Crimson (or Quinacridone Crimson)
6.Pthalocyanine Blue (AKA “Thalo Blue”)
7.Titanium White- I suggest you get a big tube of this color as it will be used in most mixes.

Palette (Mixing Surface): We’ll be using white paper plates, so get a big pack of them (bargain brands are best), as we may use as many as 5 plates during a painting session. A butcher’s tray may also be used (available at American Frame and Gallery).

Painting Support: Canvas Painting Panels (AKA “Canvas Board”) 12” x 16”. Usually available 2 or 3 to a pack. Fredrix and “Fine Touch” make good ones. PLEASE NOTE: These are available at American Frame and Gallery as well as other art supply stores.

Miscellaneous:

1. Large plastic water container: Can be large cottage cheese container, “Shedds’s Spread” tub, or even a child’s sand bucket (but buy a new one to keep on the good side of your kids next summer). You can also carry your supplies in it.

2. Roll of paper towels-these are essential for covering your working surface as well as lifting out color, wiping your brushes clean, and for general clean up. Get the bargain brand.

3. Large paper or plastic grocery bag: for holding your soiled paper towels, used plates, and anything else that will need to be disposed of after class. Bring one each class.

4. Old clothing (to wear); acrylic paint can be the very devil to remove once it has dried—I know this from my own closet full of “painting” shirts and pants. An apron covers only so much!

5. Table easel: OPTIONAL. You can tilt your canvas board on your roll of paper towels or work flat if you wish. I’ll be working upright on an easel so you can see what I’m doing. I also find working upright eliminates the “shine” of the paint so I can see what I’m doing. Michael’s and Hobby Lobby have table easels in all price ranges.

6. Desire to paint: I’ll supply the enthusiasm and some “loaner” brushes, if you’re having trouble finding them.

If you have any questions, please contact me at 618-233-3169 and leave a message and your phone number, or email me at Thos1art@aol.com with the word “Acrylics” in the header of the Email as I routinely delete all unknown screen names and domains to avoid those pesky viruses. Please do not call the American Frame and Gallery.

Allow me to welcome you to painting with a wonderfully fun medium. If you’ve never painted before, or if you’ve painted in the past or are painting now but would like to try something different, then come and let us paint, explore, and discover together!

There are no mistakes in my classes, only possibilities! Questions and laughter are strongly encouraged. We’ll do one painting per session so time can be spent on the process of creating art rather than “painting by numbers”.

I will do a short, constructive critique of the paintings (including my own) at the end of each session, after the clean-up period. I’m known to take the “eeks!” out of critiques as I feel destructive criticism serves absolutely no good purpose, while constructive criticism leads to an exchange and flow of ideas, philosophy, and positive energy.

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