Acrylic Beginners List

Nicole Slater Studio

Acrylic Beginners List:

In the beginning of your painting journey you will find it a bit overwhelming with all of the paint brands, quality, colors, brushes, styles, canvas materials and so on….Believe me I get the frustration…I have been there and always never know it all!

PaInT

I would suggest starting with:

“Better Quality” paint such as “Golden or “Liquitex” brands. The reason why I strongly suggest with better quality paint in the beginning is: I have found it lessens the frustration of making less quality paints look or work well….It is just not worth your time invested or talent to waste on products that don’t working your favor.

With all that said: I use the “Golden” brand but, “Liquitex” is great too!

A Starter Set:

Usually has 7-9 of the basics needed: Titanium White, Ivory Black, Cad Yellow Medium Hue, Cadmium Orange, Red Medium, Alizarin Crimson, Phthalo Green, Phthalo Blue, Dioxazine Purple, and Burnt Sienna……If set does not have all of these…simply, fill in the gaps individually and you are on your way to an EXCELLENT START!

BrUshEs

OK, Now on to your brushes!

This is such an individual choice, however in the beginning I can get you started in the basics, but you will find yourself buying a multitude of brushes to fit your individual style, need, work size and comfort.

I myself like working with a long handled “Synthetic or Mixed” hair brush, because I work far away from my canvas, but if you are doing small intricate detail work and are sitting up-close you may want a short handled brush. Either way….Most are available in both long and short handles.

Once you have chosen the handle length we need to talk about the actual brush (head) There are “Filberts” they have a slight round shape to the top and are very practical to use because they can be angled to your preference to make both thick and thin lines. The “Flats” are just that….Long and flat. I like using these for laying in big pieces of color or making bold, whimsy brushstrokes. The “Brights” are like a flat only…shorter, less flexible bristles and are great for blending colors for this reason. The rounds are great for sketching-in, lines, and detail work.

Besides, the head shapes there are the actual “type of bristle or hair” used to make the heads on the brush: I recommend a a filbert in a variety of sizes…they can be used in all sorts of ways.

Here is a list of “go-To” Brushes:

“Flats” : #2, 4, 8

“Rounds” : #2 #6

“Filberts” : #2 #6 #8 and #12

“Bright” : #8, #20

Extras:

“Script/Liner” : #0

“Mop” or “Wash” in 3/4”

“Angular” #6

CaNvAs

I paint fairly large but, in the beginning painting small may seem less overwhelming because there is less “territory” to cover and also means less expensive (less paint to use) But, as with all art and supplies…do what makes YOU HaPpY!  There are so many sub-straits now days, that you can buy already made such as: pre-stretched canvas, canvas boards gesso boards, primed wood, and so much more!

I would recommend starting with a pre-stretched and pre-primed canvas. The usual type is cover in a 100% cotton canvas. If available in triple pre-primed get it! I also enjoy what they call “Gallery Wrapped” it is usual deeper 1” to 3” in the profile and is canvas wrapped nicely on the sides so…you do not need to frame. You can just paint the sides.

If you want to frame your work then a more traditional canvas to purchase would have a profile much smaller such as 7/8”

Recommended starting canvas sizes : 8x10”, 9x12”, 11x14”, 12 x16”, 12x12” 16x20”, 18x24”, 20x24”

OtheR SupPlieS and (Extras):

“Paint Mediums such as:  

“Slow Dry Medium” (Liquitex or Golden)

“Gel Medium” -gloss or matte (Liquitex or Golden)

“Acrylic Varnish”-Hi-gloss or matte (liquitex or Golden)

ESsEnTial “TooLs” NeEdeD

Easel, Apron, Masking tape, Pencil or charcoal, White mans t-shirt cut-up into rags, Viva brand paper towels(best), q-tips, small mirror, magazine picture or photos to paint

Goal is: to have a BlasT!

****If you don’t have something don’t worry we can make do and in-time you will fill in the gaps.

***Let me know if there is something I can help supply until you can get your own.