This list is a basic kit for painting away from home. Please do not hesitate to email any questions about your art materials. This list consists of essentials as well as suggestions. (Although there are usually people at each workshop willing to share if you’ve missed something.) Please ask if you are unsure about anything.
1. Drop-sheet is vital. This is part of your discipline to protect the environment that you create in when you are not at home. In most venues, no drop-sheet means no painting. NOTE: The cheap plastic drop sheets from a hardware store paint section are not really suitable as they stick to your feet and make a mess. It is worth investing (about $18) in a good heavy canvas-cloth plastic-backed drop-sheet that paint won’t soak through and keep this as part of your Painting Kit. Minimum size is about the space a drummer takes on stage – 3m x 3m is good.
- Fair Warning: No drop-sheet means no painting, and there will be no refund if you have not brought an adequate drop-sheet.
2. An easel. If you do not have one, the venue may have small tables that can be used for painting. Please check with us! If tables are available, please bring an additional protective cloth for the table. NOTE: If you are intending to purchase an easel, please try it out in the store first. So many easels are sold as ‘portable or field’ easels designed for plein– air painting or travelling. These easels fold down and are lightweight, but generally fairly useless and difficult to control. It is worth investing in a sturdy easel, especially if you intend to paint on stage. Most good easels will telescope into a more portable format for travelling and storage. I like the easels with the square base rather than a tripod-style.
3. Two canvases. A good size to use is 60cm x 60cm or larger. If canvases are unavailable in your town, please check with me a minimum 3 weeks in advance regarding order and delivery, or try art papers attached with tape to sturdy boards. Please prepare your canvases with a background of any colour. A flat coloured gesso or ‘Background’ colour from Matisse or Jo Sonja paint works well, as do student paints or any underpainting (meaning a painting you want to paint over, even if you have picked up an old canvas at Vinnie’s). It doesn’t matter what colour (as long as it is not white) as you WILL PAINT OVER it. NOTE: Your workshop experience will be more satisfying if you prepare your canvas before arriving; although not essential, as it only takes 5 mins to do it upon arriving.
4. Basic art supplies. I suggest acrylics simply because I find them better for live speed painting and you will experience more freedom in this workshop with acrylics. However, if your preferred medium are watercolours, or pastels, and you are experienced in using them, they will be permitted. (However, please do NOT bring oil paints or glitter paint. You will not be permitted to paint in oils or glitter at this workshop.) NOTE: If budget is an issue and you are buying new paint, buy fewer colours of the best quality paint you can afford. White, blue, and yellow are good start-up colours. (PS. Don’t bother with black, ask me why in the workshop.) Student paints will disappoint you, although they are fine for a few stand-by pre-mixed colours, but the pigment are weaker.
- Fair Warning: No oil paints or glitter means NO. You will not be permitted to paint in oils or glitter at this workshop, and there is no refund if you if you have not brought suitable paints.
5. Brushes. Bring any brushes you would normally use. Finger painting is also acceptable. I am often asked what brushes I use, here is a short list:
- Large flat about 2″ wide
- Superfine size 0-000 rigger with 1” long bristle
- Superfine size 0-000 round with 1/4″ short bristle
- Small flat brush 1/4″ wide
- Fan brushes
- Old scrunched up brush (used for “wispy” effects)
- On stage, I use about a dozen riggers and superfine rounds, and a small selection of flat and filbert brushes.
6. Water container and hand-towel.
- Fair Warning: Please be aware that it is your responsibility to leave your workspace beautifully clean and paint-free. We have allowed time within your workshop schedule to set up, pack up and clean up. We like to leave our venue hosts with a GOOD impression of art and artists!
7. Paper and pen for activation exercises. This is separate from note-taking.
8. Optional: Note taking devices (i.e. Paper and pen, iPad, smartphone)
- Fair Warning: Photography or video within the workshop is not permitted, other than of your own work.
9. Optional: Other art materials could include bubble-wrap or scrunched plastic bag, feathers, fern branches, sticks, rags, paper towel. Anything that can be used to make a “mark on paper” is useful for making art.