Becoming an artist is like taking a long journey and painting one brushstroke at a time.
In order to be successful, every artistic journey requires tools; the right tools.
From the subtle strokes of a paintbrush to the vibrant hues of pigments, each element contributes to the overall effect of your creations.
If you too want to recreate a Starry Night of your own, you need to start by using the right equipment. Painters need to invest in the best possible painting equipment so that they can create almost any painting.
To develop your own style, you need to try to paint on canvas, paper, and fabric to see which type of material you prefer to paint on. Once you've found your background material of choice, you can play around with different painting styles.
In this article, we uncover the essential tools that should form the cornerstone of every painter's stock. Whether you're a seasoned artist or an eager painting novice, understanding these essential materials will elevate your artistic pursuits to new heights.
So, let’s embark on this artist’s journey together, and explore the painter's essential supply chest.
From Canvas to Colours: Building Your Artistic Toolkit
Every painter needs a variety of tools to bring their creative visions to life.
You might've guessed it, but quality paints in a variety of colours are indispensable to a painter
You also need to be clear about the type of paint that you want to use.
Do you want to try out acrylic paint, oil paint, water paint, or are you still undecided?
Let’s equip you with some knowledge about what you can expect when using certain paint types.
Decide what it is that you need to paint. Are you going to paint a still life drawing or a portrait?
Watercolour Painting
Watercolour paint is the type of paint for artists on the move. To mix watercolour paint, you only need the paint type and water.
You must remember that watercolour paint is made from finely crushed pigments.
You can find this paint type in small tubes or in the form of a palette.
If you visit your local art store, you may want to ask the store owner all about this type of paint.
Gouache
Perhaps watercolour paints don’t particularly tickle your fancy, Gouache is a familiar paint type used in most schools being easier to paint with. Ideally, gouache paint is meant for children or beginners.
Acrylic Painting
Acrylic paint is an amalgamation of pigment, and drying oil. With acrylic paints, the stain can be removed rather readily when spilled on fabric. It is an easy drying paint so it’s for artists who want to complete a painting within a day.
Oil Painting
Oil paints are paints that are slow-drying paints. This paint type is ideal for the painter who likes to take his or her time to paint. When artists paint with oil paints they tend to paint layer by layer so as to hide any flaws within the underlying layers of their paintings.
Crafting Creativity: Brushes, Paints, and More
Our beliefs about what we are and what we can be, precisely determine what we can be. Anthony Robbins
Of course, one of the most essential supplies will be paintbrushes in various shapes and sizes, that are used to create different painting techniques such as blending, stippling, or fine detailing. Brushes can be made from different materials such as synthetic or natural hair, and this will influence the techniques and applications that they are suited to.
While finger painting works, none of Van Gogh’s paintings were made using only his fingers to paint. The right brush for the right brush strokes is all you need to find in order to get your painting fingers working.
Choosing a brush is vital because no two types of brushes are the same.
Something else to consider when choosing a brush is the handle.
It is believed that watercolour paint is best painted with a short-handled brush. Ideally, when you are painting close to you, a short-handled brush works wonderfully. To paint the perfect canvas while standing a slight distance away from the canvas, use a long-handled brush.
For better precision and control, choose a short-handled brush. For a better painting technique, opt for a long-handled brush.
Next, consider the bristles. While the handle must be a good fit, it’s the bristles that do the painting. Brush bristles range from extra fine to hard bristles made from ox hair.
However, you don't need to spend an arm and a leg on a brush. Spending R40 on a brush that’s right for your painting could lead to the same results being produced as when you spend over R100 on a brush.
When painting with acrylics, always invest in the right type of flat brush and a round brush. Also if you are using acrylic paint, choose to use paintbrushes with synthetic hairs. They stay harder for longer which is an ideal option when using acrylic paint.
Setting the Stage: The Must-Have Supplies for Creativity
Shopping for the right paintbrush can be overwhelming.
So, seek guidance from the experts in the art supply shop. You might be attracted to a certain brush just because of the look of the brush and the feel of its hairs but it might not be the right brush to use on your canvas.
Stocking Your Studio: How Much Should You Spend?
Brush prices are determined by the brand of the brushes.
The Da Vinci brush range is regarded as the artist's brand of choice as they have stiffer bristles and retain more paint. These brushes are on the pricey side, ranging from R183 to R250.
However, a lower budget does not mean that you won’t find a brush suited to your desired style of painting and one that works almost as well as the same type of brush from a more renowned brand.
Interested in learning more and ironing out any misunderstandings on brushes, try private painting lessons.
The Artist’s Toolbox
The Painter’s Canvas
Every painter has a blank canvas. A canvas is seen as a larger surface. The canvas has been around for a very long time. The reason why painters still use canvas to paint on is that brushes that are used on a canvas usually last longer. Another reason why it’s best to use a canvas is that paintings made on canvas usually stay for longer.
But of course, several types of canvas are available.
Most canvases are either made of cotton or linen fibres. Linen fibres are usually the desired canvas of choice as it is considered to be far more durable. Cotton fibre canvas is believed to crease more easily.
You can get a blank canvas primed for oil paints, or canvas primed for acrylics, you can even get a blank canvas primed for both these types of paints.
You will pay about R699 for a canvas roll.
The Painter Palette and Accessories
Once you start your journey as a painter, you need to make sure to have a fully stocked up painter’s kit. What are some of the accessories that you should add to your kit? You need to invest in equipment that will be beneficial for you irrespective of what you chose to paint.
A Painter’s Easel
Many painters use easels to support their blank canvas. Metal easels are quite expensive but you can find easels at cheaper prices.
An Artist's Palette
One of the most essential tools for all painters is the painting palette. The palette is helpful for painters that need to mix paints. The palette is a thin piece of wood to contain and mix paints.
Make sure that all palettes that you buy are easy to clean, and large enough to mix the paint.
Painting Kit
Your painting kit can be a protective case that holds all the painting accessories and brushes. This is especially important if you are a painter on the move. Everything from your paint palette to your paintbrushes that vary in size can be contained in your painter’s kit.
Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist. Pablo Picasso
So while when playing by the rules of painting, a painter invests in all the above-mentioned items, as an artist you never need to feel guilty for doing something different. If you wish to paint using a painter’s palette and no easel, go ahead and do so.
The Painter's Pen
Colour and I are one. I am a painter. Paul Klee
The painter’s pen is a fast-drying, non-toxic pen. You can use a painter’s pen on any type of canvas including wood, foam board, or plastic. You can also find a painter’s pen at any leading art shop.
If you're unsure of how to use a painter’s pen, consider taking a painting class. An art teacher will step in to guide you to find the right materials suitable for the best painting.
The choice of where to buy painter’s equipment is up to you. Many leading online retailers stock a wide range of equipment.
Every Brushstroke Matters
The world of painting is rich and incredibly diverse, and having the right tools at your disposal can make all the difference in bringing your artistic vision to life.
From high-quality paints and brushes to essential accessories like palettes and easels, investing in the best art supplies ensures that you can fully unleash your creativity onto the canvas.
Whether you're just starting out on your artistic journey or a pro, having a well-stocked studio with these essential art supplies is essential for producing artwork that truly captivates and inspires.
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