Tools of the Trade

Intro to portrait paintings:

Canvas boards/panels/canvas paper.

  • (5) 9"x12"s or 12"x16"s

  • Palette

  • Steel palette knife (3" trowel)

  • Odorless mineral spirits (no smelly solvents). Gamsol and Turpenoid Natural are good less toxic solvents

  • Container for your mineral spirits

  • Paper towels (Viva brand is good) or rags

  • Small container of linseed or walnut oil

  • Brushes – assorted. Try hog and synthetic blend

    • Filbert 2, 4, 6, 8

    • Flat 2, 4, 6, 8

    • Round 2, 4, 6

  • Oil colors (please use professional grade)

    • Titanium white

    • Naples Yellow

    • Alizarin Crimson

    • Cadmium Red Light

    • Manganese Blue

    • Ultramarine blue

    • Transparent oxide red (sometimes called Transparent Earth Red)

    • Payne’s Grey