This page was last updated on August 17 2011

Checking and understanding your equipment.

ALL MATERIALS AVAILABLE AT:  ART UPSTAIRS, HIGH ST., SLIGO. TEL (O71)914 3158

http://www.locallink.ie/view.php?i=204611

Oil Paints (colours in bold print are essential)

  • Cadmium Red, Cadmium Orange.
  • Cadmium Yellow, Indian Yellow
  • Cobalt Blue
  • Coeruleum Blue, French Ultramarine Blue
  • Sap Green
  • Burnt Sienna
  • Raw Umber
  • Burnt Umber
  • Purple
  • Yellow Ochre
  • Black or Paynes Grey
  • White(large tube)
  • Black Acryllic

A can of 'Bob Ross' Liquid White may be purchased later.

 

OIL PAINTING BOARDS:

You may use either canvas or oil painting boards. The oil painting boards come primed and ready for use in a variety of sizes and have genuine canvas glued to the surface.

CANVAS:

Canvas is stretched over a stretcher frame pinned to the sides to keep them taut. They usually come primed and ready for use. Over time the canvas may slacken but can be tightened by gently tapping the wedges in the corners at the back. Canvas itself can be bought primed or un-primed by the roll or piece. There are a variety of sizes but these are probably the most popular.

 24" X 18" , 20" X 16" or 16'' x 12'' BOARDS or  24'' X 18''  20" X 16" or 16" x 12" CANVAS.

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 BRUSHES (Hog Hair and Sable Hair):

Are generally sahped ROUND, FLAT, SHORT, LONG, FAN or FILBERT

Round brushes are for precision and flat brushes are for neatness of edge. You can use your own judgement as far as the size of brush you need but a variety of sizes are recommended.

The Hog Hair brush has been used for 150 years and they are the finest of bristle brushes. They will keep their shape and working edge and hold a lot of paint. They will wear well when used on coarser surfaces. Whilst less flexible than the sable brush, they have a strong durability if well cared for.

I would advise you to buy a few Sable Hair brushes for more detailed work. They come in a variety of sizes so try to include a very small, small and medium round along with one or two flat ones.

There are a new set of brushes now available at Art Upstairs.  I think they are good value at €15.99 for the set. Strictly speaking, they are acrylic brushes but they are ideal for detailed oil painting. They are a twelve piece set with a soft no slip rubber grip and come with a zip-up case.

LARGE BRUSH: 1 of 1" brush and 1 of 1/2 inch brush. (Its best to purchase these at a hardware shop)

RIGGER BRUSHES: Small sable hair brushes...essential for detail. They're available in various sizes

CARE OF BRUSHES:     It is important to take good care of your brushes. The best way is to wash them with white spirits in a jar. Remove surplus spirits from brushes with some tissue. Dip them into luke-warm soapy water. Rinse thoroughly and shake them dry and re-shape them with your fingers. Stand them up bristle end up in jar to dry

Ask the assistant about the blue 'detail' brushes. They are a really nice brush and are are really good bargain at €6.45. They will not last as long as some of the other brushes though but at that price, you cant go wrong.

ARTISTS KNIFE: This is very much a personal choice for you. They come in different shapes and sizes. Ask shop assistant for advice.

LINSEED OIL: This is a light yellow oil that increases the gloss and transparency (clear and easily understood) and will reduce the effects of brush marks.

WHITE SPIRITS: This is used for cleaning brushes and for thinning out paint in certain circumstances. It is better to buy the larger bottle and not the small one. Do NOT use turpentine.

VARNISH:  when picture is dry, a protective coat of varnish is applied (usually after three months). I would advise that you apply either a satin or a matt finish depending on the painting. It can be either painted or sprayed. This will be demonstrated at the end of each term so as you can decide which finish you prefer.

OTHER EQUIPMENT NEEDED:

  • 2B PENCIL
  • ERASER (PUTTY RUBBER)
  • 12" RULER
  • OLD WHITE DINNER PLATE
  • CLOTHS OR TISSUES
  • OLD CLOTHES
  • HAND WIPES
  • JAM JARS

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FRAMING PICTURES:  There are several picture framers in the area and it is your own decision who you employ to do this work for you but the two people that I would recommend and have done a lot of excellent work for our classes in the past are:  

Kevin Woods, Tonaphubble, Sligo (across the road from racecourse) Tel: (071)916 0369

Gerry Sheerin, Cliffony, Co Sligo. Tel:(086) 828 2782 (approx 1 mile from Cliffony on Sligo side)

PRINTING AND PHOTOCOPYING SERVICES: Acorn Blue Printing, Mail Coach Rd., Sligo                    http://www.acornblueprinting.com/

This page was last updated on August 17 2011