Materials List

List of materials


Supports:

The best surface is oil ground so my recommendation is to use canvases primed with oil. For the rigid panels acrylic gesso is OK, I recommend to use Michael Harding Non-absorbent Acrylic Primer.

For quick exercises and warm ups:

Linen sheets/pads:

Centurion linen pad 9x12" - they are the best in my opinion, easy to tape to the board, they are primed with oil ground and relatively inexpensive. In most of the cases you can divide (or cut) them into 2 small sheets of 6x9". You will need about 2 pads (10 sheets/each). Unfortunately, they are not available in EU.

There are many canvas pads on the market so feel free to explore your local stores or online shopping possibilities.

Alternative is to buy piece or small roll of linen canvas and to cut it to small pieces (6x8" to 8x10"), you don't need expensive canvas. Examples:

  1. If you are in US
  2. If you are in EU - cheapest option there.


Oil painting paper:

Usually, oil painting papers are extremely absorbent. There are too ways to improve it:

  1. Applying coat of Oil Ground, for example Rublev or Gamblin (do in advance to give enough time to dry).
  2. Applying thin coat of medium just before you start painting. Linseed oil mixed with Mineral Spirits or Gamblin's Solvent-Free Gel Medium

Canson Figueras Oil & Acrylic 290gsm Paper pad. This paper has nice texture, probably is my fav. Should be easy to find everywhere in the world

Alternatives: Arches Oil Paper 9x12" or Clairefontaine

For alla prima portrait sessions:

You will need 5 panels/canvases (sizes are approximate):

  • 3 medium sizes 9x12"
  • 2 large sizes 12x16"

You can use same supports as for short exercises or prepare canvases on stretcher bars or paint on oil primed panels. I believe the panels are the best - they are rigid and oil ground allows to wipe paint off completely if it is still wet so they can be reused.

I will be using panels from Artefex

Other alternatives: Jerry's or Centurion

Sometimes the best way is to buy enough linen canvas to cut it to small pieces for exercises and keep some bigger sizes for alla prima efforts.

Canvas:

Claessens 13DP (Oil Primed) - some stores can sell you cut pieces while others are selling in rolls by meters (usually 1 meter of roll should be enough)

US: https://www.jerrysartistoutlet.com/product/claessens-oil-primed-linen-rolls/

and https://www.jerrysartarama.com/claessens-oil-primed-linen-double-no13-very-fine-18inx41in-50734a

UK: https://www.jacksonsart.com/claessens-13-very-fine-linen-325gsm-2-1m-wide-per-metre-oil-primed

EU: https://www.schleiper.com/eshopexpress/articles/S0613DPS--claessens-canvas-100-linen-5-coats-sizing-for-oil-width-210cm-385g-m-n-13dps?category_id=4826&lang=en

or https://www.artemiranda.es/claessens-lienzo-de-lino-belga-muy-fino/14065 (1st option)

There are many other stores and resellers so if you were able to find better places to buy for your location - please share the links and I will add them!

I highly recommend to have this masking tape: https://amzn.to/3SYds83

Primer/Gesso:

In case if canvas or ready made panels are not the option or you want to gesso your own panels - I recommend this primer (white color): https://www.michaelharding.co.uk/non-absorbent-acrylic-primer/

Oil Paints:

I will paint using non toxic colors which are easy to buy anywhere. It's not a mandatory to use the same colors especially if you already have your own favorite set of pigments.

I generally prefer Rublev, Michael Harding and Old Holland. Other brands I use occasionally are Gamblin, W&N Artists and Sennelier

Additional pigments (this list can be extended later)


Mediums and solvents:

Although Odorless Mineral Spirits (Gamsol) are considered "safe" I strongly recommend to have proper air tight jar and keep it closed all the time when the solvent is not used.

Brushes:

Personally, I prefer shapes like Long Filbers and Rounds for almost everything, I use combers and fans to blend.

🎨 Arthur Gain Portrait Essential Brushes Set


Brands I use: Rosemary and Co, Escoda, da Vinci and sometimes just various synthetic brushes I buy occasionally in art supply stores

Rosemary Eclipse:

Escoda Modernista series are very similar to Eclipse although with less variety of shapes

Rosemary Bristles:

Other painting tools:

  • Mahl stick
  • Metal palette knife - better to have two flexible ones. I use RGM and Holbein MX
  • Paper Towels (in rolls)


This list will be updated, if you have any questions about materials - post your comments here!


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