Master’s Touch Canvas:

I opt for a stretched canvas over canvas board, this is personal preference. I find the look to be more classic and timeless, but either will work. The important thing about canvases is the type of weave of the canvas. Master’s touch has a less dramatic weave, meaning the surface is a bit more smooth. Any canvas will do, but cheaper canvases steal paint off the brush, so you end up using more paint than necessary and are unable to add a great amount of detail.

Palette:

Wooden or plastic…or a paper plate. It doesn’t matter so much. There are sealable palettes so you can keep your paints from drying out. 

Brushes:

We can work with what you bring, though I would recommend you have an assortment of sizes

Acrylic Paints:

Like paper, quality paints matter. If you already have paints, we can work with what you’ve got, but craft paints end up being lifeless and difficult to layer because of their pigmentation. The three acrylic brands I would recommend (in order of favor)—Winsor & Newton: Galeria; Grumbacher: Academy Acrylic; and Master’s Touch. Paints are often expensive, so I will have some of the more obscure colors in class were you to need some before you were able to buy it. I recommend you have in your possession Titanium White, Thalo Blue, Yellow Ochre, Raw (or Burnt) Umber, Cadmium Red. We won’t be using black, so no need to waste money on it.

Easel:

I used to paint flat on the table, so if that is comfortable to you you are more than welcome to go easel-less. Any cheap easel will do if you want to have one. I will not provide easels for class, so make sure you have one if you want it

Strathmore Drawing Pad:

Paper matters. You can buy your paper from Walmart or the dollar store, but most of your cheaper papers are not good for any medium other than a no. 2 pencil. Poor types of paper fade or don’t take the medium well. Of course this is not the only paper option, but I find its texture and weight completely adequate and I’ve used it for decades now with no problems. If you are looking for other brands, look for anything medium weight and acid free.

Master’s Touch Thin Charcoal Sticks

Prismacolor Kneaded Rubber Eraser

Blending Stumps: Any brand.

Tackle Box:

This is a small, clean way to keep all your materials organized. It’s not necessary, but I’ve found it helpful.

Pen&Ink option: Faber-Castell Pitt Artist Pen:

#199 Black (XXS, S, F, M, C, B, FH, 1.5) (#167158). (Micron makes some good pens as well. )