General Oil Painting - Art Supply List
I have listed two brands of excellent oil paints. They are both professional grade. Both Gamblin and Holbein have less expensive lines which are also listed below. I always say that if you are serious about oil painting, then you will want to consider going with the best products that you can possibly afford. If not, the student grades are good too. And, if you are painting using the Cold Wax Medium method (and I have a supply list particularly for that method on my site) then you may want to use the less expensive oils with that process since you use so many oil with wax layers.
Below you will find a list of all the necessary items required for your basic art supply list. If you purchase here, I receive a small portion of sales. The price is the same if you buy it though my site or directly from the vendor.
GAMBLIN OIL COLORS:
HOLBEIN OIL COLORS:
Gamblin Artist's Oil Colors are crafted by hand with the well-being of artists, their work, and the environment in mind. True to historic working properties, yet safer and more permanent, they combine the best traditions of the past with the latest technical innovations, giving you the freedom to create without compromise.
Made with the finest grades of pigment available (yes, there are differences), Gamblin Artist's Oils have luscious working properties, and each color possesses unique characteristics in terms of texture, undertone, and tinting strength. The range of colors includes both historically accurate paints and modern, synthetically derived hues. For everything from traditional realism to contemporary abstraction, you'll find your ideal colors within the Gamblin line.
All Gamblin Artist's Oil Paints are completely non-toxic when used as recommended. Most are made with alkali-refined linseed oil as a binder, which creates a strong, flexible paint film and yellows significantly less than cold press linseed oil, the traditional binder in oil paints. Select colors use safflower oil as a binder. Not only are these vegetable oils completely non-toxic, they are commonly used in health and beauty products, so you can trust in their safety.
The color chemists at Holbein took a decade to develop Vernét Superior Artists' Oils, with the stated objective of creating the most advanced artists' oil color ever produced. With a range of 40 remarkably strong, beautiful, and stable colors, the Vernét line is truly the dream palette of tomorrow's great masters. Vernét's innovation lies in its technology. It differs fundamentally from other artists' oils in that the grain diameter of the pigment is roughly half the size of standard line equivalents. This produces a remarkable color depth and vibrancy. With such a fine pigment grain, light is reflected more evenly without being scattered, resulting in an almost transparent luminosity and beauty. Made with pure, single pigments and finest-quality , refined linseed oil (the only exception being Silver White Poppy, made with poppy oil), Vernét colors offer outstanding adhesion, tinting strength, durability, smoothness, and lightfastness. They produce clean, non-muddy results when mixed.
Introductory Set - This set gives painters a thoughtfully constructed palette of luscious oil colors cradled in a primed, ready-to-use, 12'' × 6½'' painting panel handcrafted in North America from sustainably forested birch. Colors include Cadmium Yellow Light, Yellow Ochre, Burnt Umber, Cadmium Red Light, Alizarin Crimson, Ultramarine Blue, Viridian, Ivory Black, and Titanium White in 37 ml (1.25 oz) tubes.
Holbein Vernét Superior Artists' Oil Paints and Sets
Set of 12 colors, 20 ml tubes - This set contains 12 colors in 20 ml tubes, including Alizarin Crimson, Cadmium Red, Cadmium Yellow, Yellow Ochre, Bismuth Yellow, Terre Verte, Phthalocyanine Green, Cobalt Blue, Prussian Blue, Quinacridone Magenta, Burnt Sienna, and Titanium White.
Gamblin Artist's Oil Colors are crafted by hand with the well-being of artists, their work, and the environment in mind. True to historic working properties, yet safer and more permanent, they combine the best traditions of the past with the latest technical innovations, giving you the freedom to create without compromise.
Made with the finest grades of pigment available (yes, there are differences), Gamblin Artist's Oils have luscious working properties, and each color possesses unique characteristics in terms of texture, undertone, and tinting strength. The range of colors includes both historically accurate paints and modern, synthetically derived hues. For everything from traditional realism to contemporary abstraction, you'll find your ideal colors within the Gamblin line.
All Gamblin Artist's Oil Paints are completely non-toxic when used as recommended. Most are made with alkali-refined linseed oil as a binder, which creates a strong, flexible paint film and yellows significantly less than cold press linseed oil, the traditional binder in oil paints. Select colors use safflower oil as a binder. Not only are these vegetable oils completely non-toxic, they are commonly used in health and beauty products, so you can trust in their safety.
Holbein Vernét Superior Artists' Oil Color - Titanium White, 50 ml tube
The color chemists at Holbein took a decade to develop Vernét Superior Artists' Oils, with the stated objective of creating the most advanced artists' oil color ever produced. With a range of 40 remarkably strong, beautiful, and stable colors, the Vernét line is truly the dream palette of tomorrow's great masters. Vernét's innovation lies in its technology. It differs fundamentally from other artists' oils in that the grain diameter of the pigment is roughly half the size of standard line equivalents. This produces a remarkable color depth and vibrancy. With such a fine pigment grain, light is reflected more evenly without being scattered, resulting in an almost transparent luminosity and beauty. Made with pure, single pigments and finest-quality , refined linseed oil (the only exception being Silver White Poppy, made with poppy oil), Vernét colors offer outstanding adhesion, tinting strength, durability, smoothness, and lightfastness. They produce clean, non-muddy results when mixed.
Holbein Vernét Superior Artists' Oil Color - Cadmium Yellow, 20 ml tube
Holbein Vernét Superior Artists' Oil Color - Imidazalone Yellow, 20 ml tube
Holbein Vernét Superior Artists' Oil Color - Pthalocyanine Blue, 20 ml tube
Holbein Vernét Superior Artists' Oil Color - Ultramarine Blue, 20 ml tube
Holbein Vernét Superior Artists' Oil Color - Cadmium Red, 20 ml tube
Holbein Vernét Superior Artists' Oil Color - Alizarin Crimson, 20 ml tube
Holbein Vernét Superior Artists' Oil Color - Ivory Black, 20 ml tube
STUDENT GRADE PAINTS
Since founding Gamblin Artists Colors, Robert Gamblin has wanted artists to be able to paint freely — to use color and texture without hesitation or reservation.
To do this, painters need colors that are true. True to the pigment. True to historic working properties. True to the emotion of each color. Colors that feel right under the brush and that age right on the canvas.
Gamblin 1980 Oil Colors offer artists true color and real value. This line of 48 colors offers artists a better student-grade paint, made here in America at a terrific value, from a company you can believe in.
Introductory Set - This set gives beginning painters a thoughtfully constructed palette of luscious Gamblin 1980 Oil Colors to support any style of painting. It includes 37 ml (1.25 oz) tubes of Cadmium Yellow Light, Yellow Ochre, Cadmium Red Light, Alizarin Crimson, Ultramarine Blue, Phthalo Green, Ivory Black, Titanium White, and Solvent-Free Gel Medium, plus a primed, handcrafted panel made from sustainably forested North American birch.
Holbein Artists' Oil Colors - Assorted Colors, Set of 12, 20 ml tubes
Holbein ranks as one of the world's finest lines of professional oil colors. The formulation of each color is modified individually to compensate for the inherent differences in the working characteristics of pigments. The result is an even consistency across the entire palette of color. Holbein maintains its quality standards by test inspection of pigment purity, color tone, applicability and adhesion, physical stability, light stability, thermo-stability, and anti-bacterial stability. Pigments are ground from three to five times as necessary to achieve a universally consistent viscosity. The manufacturing process in each of the preparation, mixing, grinding, adjustment, and filling stages is monitored by reference to optimum quality standards.
Assorted Colors, Set of 12, 20 ml tubes - Colors include 20 ml tubes of Ivory Black, Crimson Lake, Vermilion Hue, Yellow Ochre, Permanent Yellow Light, Permanent Green Pale, Viridian Hue, Cobalt Blue Hue, Ultramarine Deep, Burnt Sienna, Burnt Umber, and a 50 ml tube of Permanent White SF.
OIL PAINTING MEDIUMS
Gamblin Gamsol Odorless Mineral Spirits - 16.9 oz bottle
Gamsol is an excellent solvent for thinning Gamblin mediums and for general painting. It evaporates 100% and leaves no residue in paint layers. Gamsol is less toxic than other brands of OMS (Odorless Mineral Spirits), mineral spirits, or turpentine because the harmful aromatic solvent component has been removed. It's also useful for studio and brush cleanup.
Note— Due to mixed stock, sizes may vary slightly.
16.9 oz bottle - An excellent solvent for thinning Gamblin mediums, for general painting, and for studio and brush cleanup. It evaporates completely, leaving no residue, and the absence of the aromatic solvent component means painters can work with Gamsol five times longer than turpentine without adverse health effects.
Holbein Purified Linseed Oil - 55 ml Bottle
Clarity is so important when glazing transparent colors, and Holbein's Purified Linseed Oil is the perfect medium for achieving and maintaining that clarity. Made to the same exacting high standards as Holbein paints, Purified Linseed Oil is made for thinning the consistency of Holbein Artists' Oil Colors while preserving their legendary pigment strength. It imparts a clean, traditional, semi-gloss finish.
Gamblin Galkyd Lite - 4.2 oz bottle
Gamblin offers a great range of contemporary mediums. Using today's safer materials, they recreate the properties of traditional mediums.
4.2 oz bottle - Formulated to thin oil colors and maintain strong flexible paint films, with a viscosity similar to that of a traditional dammar/refined linseed oil/turpentine painting medium. It will leave brush strokes in thicker layers and allow a longer working time (approximately three hours). Glazes are slightly less glossy than those made with traditional mediums or Galkyd.
Gamblin Cold Wax Medium - 16 oz can
A soft paste formulated to knife consistency, Gamblin Cold Wax Medium is made from naturally white unbleached beeswax, alkyd resin, and odorless mineral spirits (OMS), and is used to make oil colors thicker and more matte. It can be thinned to brush consistency by dissolving it in a small amount of OMS. The surface of paintings made with beeswax mediums will become only as hard as a beeswax candle.
Adding Gamblin Galkyd to Cold Wax Medium/oil colors mix will increase the sheen and flexibility of the paint film. Use a small amount to make Galkyd Mediums more matte. Cold Wax Medium contains no oil, so it can be applied as a wax varnish over a dry oil painting.
Blick Palette Paper Pad - 12'' x 16'', 50 Sheets
Cleanup is quick and easy with Blick Studio Disposable Palette Pads — just tear off a sheet, use it for your painting session, then throw it away! Great for use with acrylics, casein, and oils, the palette paper pads are available in a variety of sizes, each containing 50 sheets
Masterson Super Pro Palette - 15 1/2'' x 11 1/2''
The Masterson Sta-Wet Super Pro Palette is a patented, multi-purpose palette designed to preserve the freshness of acrylics or watercolors for days, even weeks. It begins with a strong, airtight, plastic tray and lid. Depending on the medium you are using, one piece will be the tray and one piece will be the lid.
Anderson & Sons Stainless Steel Airtight Brush Washer
This durable stainless steel brush washer has an airtight lid with a rubber gasket that attaches to the container with sturdy clips — no more spills or smells when working remotely! The Anderson & Sons Stainless Steel Airtight Brush Washer features a removable strainer insert that extends paint thinner life by allowing solids to sink to the bottom of the container and stay there, while the thinner above it stays cleaner for a longer time.
Guerrilla Painter Large Mouth Palette Cup - Double Palette Cup
These Large Mouth Palette Cups from Guerrilla Painter are made of plated steel and feature a bottom clip that slides over the edge of your palette — ideal for holding turpentine, linseed oil, and other mediums when you're painting out in the field. Choose from single or double cup models. Each cup holds 1 oz (30 ml) and measures 1-3/5" (4.1 cm) in diameter x 3/4" (4.4 cm) deep, with an opening diameter of 1-1/2" (3.8 cm).
This four-brush set contains one Series 7795 Round size 2, one Series 7495 Filbert size 8, and two Series 7195 Flat sizes 4 and 8.
Each Plein Air bristle brush is crafted with premium artist Chungking bristle from China and is finished with a rust-resistant copper ferrule.
Dynasty Black Gold Decor Sets
These are short handled but still work well with oil paint. Dynasty's Black Gold brushes feel more like black velvet. Premium Black Gold nylon hairs are multi-diameter, multilength, dyed, tipped, blended, and polished for expert paint delivery. Designed for the expressive strokes of the decorative painter, these distinctive brushes will enhance every painter's work. Black Gold performs best when used with watercolor or fluid acrylics, but stands up to the demands of oil paint. The superb quality nylon hairs are expertly set in a seamless black metal ferrule on a varnished two-toned handle.
Dynasty Black Gold Brush - Bright, Long Handle, Size 12
Black Gold brushes are valued almost as much for their distinctive look as for their superb performance and long life.
Every handcrafted brush in the Black Gold line features high-quality nylon bristle, secured in a seamless black metal ferrule and attached to a kiln-dried, two-tone varnished wood handle for long-lasting durability and beauty.
Dynasty Black Gold Brush - Filbert, Long Handle, Size 8
Black Gold brushes are valued almost as much for their distinctive look as for their superb performance and long life.
Every handcrafted brush in the Black Gold line features high-quality nylon bristle, secured in a seamless black metal ferrule and attached to a kiln-dried, two-tone varnished wood handle for long-lasting durability and beauty.
Dynasty Black Gold Brush - Round, Long Handle, Size 4
Black Gold brushes are valued almost as much for their distinctive look as for their superb performance and long life.
Every handcrafted brush in the Black Gold line features high-quality nylon bristle, secured in a seamless black metal ferrule and attached to a kiln-dried, two-tone varnished wood handle for long-lasting durability and beauty.
Fredrix Red Label Cotton Canvas
These canvases feature the finest quality pure cotton duck, medium textured, and double-primed with acid-free acrylic gesso for use with oil or acrylic painting. All sizes larger than 24" x 36" include single or double bracing for added support. Canvases are carefully stapled on standard stretcher strips and have a ¾" profile . Note — Canvases smaller than 8" × 10" are stapled on the side of the canvas. All larger sizes are stapled on the back of the canvas.
Fredrix Can-Tone Pre-Toned Canvas Panels - Tara Gray, 9'' x 12'', Pkg of 3
Very inexpensive way to begin painting and practicing on a panel that is already toned! Fredrix Can-Tone Pre-Toned Canvas Panels feature genuine medium texture artist canvas firmly mounted to a sturdy panel board. The sides are completely turned under and glued. They won't fray, separate, or dent. Choose from four tones — Cappuccino, Georgia Peach, Heather Green, or Tara Gray. The different tones provide a neutral, pre-gessoed surface for work in oils and acrylics. The canvas is primed with an acid-free, professional-grade acrylic gesso. Time-saving Can-Tone Canvas Panels are sold in packs of three.
Fredrix Pro Series Dixie Traditional Profile Canvas - 9'' x 12'', 7/8'' Profile
Ideal for artists at all skill levels, the Fredrix Pro Series features the world-famous Tara/Fredrix Dixie #123 12 oz cotton duck canvas, double-primed with acid-free acrylic Titanium gesso for professional results. Available in a wide variety of sizes and three profiles — including a traditional 7/8" profile, a 1-3/8" gallery profile, and a 2-1/4" museum (deep) profile — every canvas is stretched on kiln-dried stretcher bars, with extra bracing for added support. Fredrix Pro Series Dixie Stretched Canvas — a versatile option for oils, acrylics, and alkyds.
Blick Palette Knives by RGM
Mix and manipulate textures using our versatile and extremely flexible steel knives, which are specially treated to help extend the life of the blade while also improving the spreadability of color.
Blick Palette Knives by RGM are tempered and ground by hand for consistent flexibility and quality. They feature solid brass ferrules and ergonomic wood handles that are comfortable to hold.
These handsome palette knives are made exclusively for Blick in Italy by RGM.
Starter, Set of 3 Knives - Styles 5, 50, and 96.
Grumbacher Willow Charcoal - Medium, Pack of 12
Grumbacher's Willow Charcoal sticks are cooked to a uniform medium hardness. Choose Thin, Medium, or Thick cylindrical sticks.
Princeton Gesso Brush - Short Handle, Size 2
Fredrix Cut Edge Canvas Panels - 9'' x 12'', White, Pkg of 25
An artist-quality alternative to traditional canvas panels — at a great value! Super lightweight and slender, Fredrix Cut Edge Canvas Panels are made with medium texture canvas mounted to an innovative backing board. Very rigid and stable, with clean, precision-cut edges, they provide the ideal surface for studies, experiments, initial renderings, teaching, and learning — in the studio or in the classroom. Fredrix Cut Edge Canvas Panels come pre-primed with acid-free acrylic gesso in your choice of either White or Black. They are ideally suited for oils, acrylics, alkyds, and tempera paints.
Golden Acrylic Gesso - White, 16 oz jar
Aluminum Table Easel
Weighing just 8 oz, this easel is easy to take along on all your art adventures. Compact yet sturdy, it holds a canvas, board, or pad up to 22" high. When you're done, simply fold it up and slip it in your bag. It's also great for display. Crafted of anodized aluminum, this easel measures 22½"H × 17½"W × 12"D. The tray is 16" wide.
Artist's Apron
Dynasty Black Gold Brush - Flat, Long Handle, Size 12
Black Gold brushes are valued almost as much for their distinctive look as for their superb performance and long life. They work great for painting and varnishing.
Every handcrafted brush in the Black Gold line features high-quality nylon bristle, secured in a seamless black metal ferrule and attached to a kiln-dried, two-tone varnished wood handle for long-lasting durability and beauty.
Brush sizes - The length and width of a brush of a given shape and size may vary by manufacturer as brush sizes are not standardized. Since fine art brushes are handmade, expect some variation even among brushes from within a single brush line.
Developed in collaboration with the National Gallery of Art, Gamblin Gamvar Gloss Varnish saturates and gives greater depth to the colors in your painting and gives your work a unified and protective semi-gloss surface.
Virtually odorless, premixed, and ready to apply, Gamvar Gloss goes on water-clear, stays water-clear, and can be easily and safely removed with Gamblin Gamsol Odorless Mineral Spirits.
Gamvar Gloss can be applied with a brush when the thickest areas of your painting are thoroughly dry and firm to the touch. Spray application is not recommended.
The 4.2 oz size covers approximately 80 square feet (7.5 square meters). The 8.5 oz size covers approximately 160 square feet (15 square meters). The 16.9 oz size covers approximately 320 square feet (30 square meters).
To achieve different finishes, you can also use Gamvar in Gloss, Matte or Satin. Gamvar Matte reduces surface sheen while maintaining the deepest values in your painting. Gamvar Satin saturates the colors in your work but dries to a lower gloss level compared to original Gamvar Gloss.
Note -Original formula Gamvar Varnish is now called Gamvar Gloss. The formula hasn't changed, just the name.
Description:Painter's Tape
Size:1.88” x 60 yds
Width:1.88” (48 mm)
Length:60 yds (54.8 m)