1. Materials

When choosing oil paint, it is useful to understand they can vary greatly in terms of colours, brands, grades, ingredients and consistencies. The first class will largely cover health hazards and this sort of information about materials. If you want to get into it right away “The Suggested Minimum Set” (below) should be a good starting point, otherwise just bring 2 colours and a white to the first class and we can talk about what else will be useful to meet your goals and add it later.  If you have any questions feel free to email me (get contact info from Art Centre). 

Please DO NOT BUY SUPPLIES THAT ARE “FAST DRYING” or contain any turpentine or mineral spirits. The fumes from these paints are unpleasant and can cause very serious health problems.

For the purposes of this course we will try to minimize use of thinners (mineral spirits, turpentine commercial thinners) as well as carefully control where we use them. Please DO NOT BUY “ODOURLESS” SUPPLIES. It is important to know when the fumes are present.

DO NOT BUY “WATER SOLUABLE OILS”

“Suggested Minimum Set”

At least a warm and cool of each of the primary colours would be ideal:

(Small tubes are fine, but it’s better value to buy more)

Cadmium Red

Alizarin Crimson

Cadmium Yellow

Lemon Yellow

Pthalo Blue

Ultramarine Blue

*It is recommended to buy other colours too, but you can mix most (or close to them) from the list above.

(Medium tubes are fine but it’s better value to buy more)

Lamp Black

Titanium White

Zinc White

2-3 Pre-Stretched Canvases (Varied Sizes),

Assorted Brushes (eg: Sm Md Lg chisel and round shapes, with med to firm bristles)

Sealable Jars

Small Bottle of Mineral spirits (not odorless! If you’re unsure what to get, feel free to wait till second class to buy).

Palette, Palette Knife, Small Bottle of Walnut, Linseed and/or Poppy Oil

Basic 8x11 Sketchbook, 2 black pens (Jelly Roll), Pencils

LINKS: A typical set up. More reading