Beginning in Art

Oil Painting Supplies

When you begin oil painting, some of the oil painting supplies you will need include oil paint, canvas or paper, and terpentine or terpenoid.  There are other oil painting supplies that you should get yourself.  You may think they are just extras, but you will find them very useful. First, let’s discuss the oil paints themselves.

Oil Paints

You’ll need to start with a good basic oil painting set like this Basic Oil Paint Set basic oil paint set, or you can get the primary colors of a good brand. If you’re new to painting, start with less expensive sets. More established painters may get more out of higher quality and more expensive sets. Check out MisterArt.com here for a large variety of affordable oil paints.

Brush Accessories

You can’t finish painting and not clean your brush. If you keep brushes dirty, they will wear out faster and lose their quality and performance.  You must keep your brushes in good shape if you want them to last and perform at their greatest each and every time.  Of all the oil painting supplies, your brushes will be used the most.  You want them to last.

For oil paint, you will need a paint thinner to remove excess paint, but it’s a good idea to clean them further to preserve your brushes. A good soap is the best way to get out all the paint and oil from the brush to keep the grime from harming your brushes.I particularly like Masters Brush Cleaner and Preserver.It keeps my paintbrushes looking new and allows them to last for a long time through a lot of paint.

Masters Brush Cleaner and Preserver 2 1/2 oz. tub

Saves time and trouble, as well as your brushes. Works on oil, acrylic, or watercolor brushes. Will not harm red sable or any type of bristles. It will keep brushes like new. Also easily restores old, hardened brushes.

You may also like a brush washer such as Jack Richeson The Ultimate Brush Washer brush washer. It protects your brush head and you can use it to rinse your brush between paint colors.  This is a great tool that is all set up for you.  It is definitely a worthwhile purchase.

Jack Richeson The Ultimate Brush Washer brush washerIt’s what’s on the inside that counts. A cover, a removable sediment tray and a brush holder to protect the brush head from damage, with a metal handle colored in copper. This brush washer has it all. Its good looks are an added bonus. Measures opening 5 1/2 in. x 5 in. deep.

You will also need a paint palette to mix your colors.  A palette such as this enables you to keep all your paint at your fingertips.  I like Curtis Wagner Classic Palette Flat palette. It is easy to hold and inexpensive.

Curtis Wagner Classic Palette Flat paletteSturdy white plastic palette. Light weight easy to clean. Measures 9 in. x 12 in.

Easels

Of course you can’t paint without an easel, right? Well, you could, but they are very useful if you want to make painter easier and more effective. You can get a standing easel like the Studio RTA Museum Wooden Easel 60 in. natural wood, or you can get a table top easel such as Studio RTA Aluminum Table Easel black table easel which is usually less expensive.

Once you have all your oil painting supplies, you can get started!  Gather your tools and let your creativity flow through your fingertips.