New to Acrylic Painting? Start Here with Our Supply List
Starting From Scratch:
Essential Acrylic Painting Materials
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Where to Start?
Whether you're new to acrylic painting or a seasoned professional, having the right supplies and tools is essential for success. Acrylic paints are a popular choice for artists due to their versatility, vibrancy, and quick-drying properties. However, with so many different products available, building the perfect supply list can be overwhelming.
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Let's make a supply list!
To help you stock your studio with the right materials, we've compiled a comprehensive list of supply list for acrylic paintings. Our list includes everything from the essential supplies that every artist needs, such as paintbrushes and canvases, to more specialized tools like pouring mediums and flow enhancers.
Whether you're a beginner trying to figure out where to start, or an experienced artist looking to expand your materials, our comprehensive list will guide you through everything you need to create stunning acrylic paintings. So, let's dive in and build your perfect acrylic painting supply kit!
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What do you need?
Art Boards
Experiment with different surfaces
Canvas
Heavy Duty - Gallery-wrapped stretched canvas is my favorite surface to paint on. I prefer a pre-primed canvas and a thick frame for durability.
Gesso
Primer for your paintings. Gesso allows you to prep and redo painting surfaces as desired. Always good to have in your studio, and a must if you plan to stretch your own canvas, to give your painting a smooth base to build upon.
Beginner Acrylic Paint
I was pleasantly surprised with the quality and price point of this acrylic paint set. I feel this is a good beginner paint set to try, before investing in more expensive options. Mixing colors can be confusing, I recommend choosing a well-rounded color pallet to have on hand. As you progress, you can invest in fewer heaver-bodied paints, and mix the rainbow!
Heavy Body Professional Acrylic Paint
I fell in love with Liquitex Heavy Body Acrylics at a young age, and when you find the paint that matches the outcome of your desire, it's hard to sway. There are a lot of beautiful pigments and quality paint options, it's a part of your journey as an artist to experiment and find the materials that express you the best.
Small- Medium Paint Brush Set
Brushes are as individual as people, how they feel in your hand, and how they apply paint are unique. Learning different hand techniques with each one and the changing visual effect takes time to learn. It's a part of the beautiful process of self-discovery as a person and artist. Not only can you apply with brushes, but look around you at the variety of shapes, sizes, textures, or everyday items you could try to paint with. Scrub brushes, fake plant leaves, toys, and cooking utensils, can all have a fun effect. The endless possibilities of what you can use to create will be a lifelong exploration.
Large Paint Brush Set
Pallet Knives
For a heavily textured effect, pallet knives are a great tool for any artist. They are great for building layers, loose color application techniques, and having a whimsical, beautiful effect.
Sponges
Organic sea sponges are amazing at landscape foliage, tree leaves, and applying a texture only they are capable of producing.
Paint Trays
Paint trays, paper plates, cardboard boxes, and anything that holds paint will do. In my history of painting, I've gotten very creative with my mixing options. A handheld mixing tray though, I will say, is very useful and definitely nice to have.
Water Container and Brush Cleaning Station
Another item that can be substituted for a jar, bowl, or any item that can hold water. A water bowl is another key ingredient in acrylic painting. Keep paints fluid, clean your brushes, and have water on hand for painting effects and touch-ups. Make sure you have a washing station, and an area to dry your brushes correctly to prevent damage.
Spray Bottle (keep paint from drying)
Having an efficient, dependable spray bottle in your art arsenal is a detail I wouldn't want to miss. Great for keeping your paints and painting from drying too fast or keeping your cats and kids at bay. You got creating to do!
Cloths For Clean Ups
Have on hand for drying your brushes between colors, and clean-ups. Can use to create artistic smudges, or even to use textured effects. Clean-up rags are always useful to have in your home, studio, and office.
Drop Cloth For Protection
If you like your floors, you need a drop cloth. you probably need many. I cannot tell you how many times these wonderful creations saved my house, in one of my impulsive art projects. They saved my cream carpet from a gallon of black paint. yes. that's right. need I say more? You need these, and you're welcome for not letting you forget.
ART STUDIO FURNITURE OPTIONS:
Easel
A studio easel is a staple for your art studio, a sturdy, well-designed easel will assist in your creative expression by securing your canvases.
Travel Easel
To paint and create on the go, a travel easel will give you the freedom to set up on the spot and start manifesting. Lightweight, compact, and convenient, a great artist tool to have in your car ready for when inspiration strikes.
Drafting Table
Artists, professionals, and hobbyists find draft tables to be very useful in sketching, fashion design, reading, writing, blueprints, painting, sewing, drawing maps, storyboarding, and crafting. Draft tables are a beautiful furniture addition to any space.
Stool
An adjustable-height stool naturally belongs in an art studio and allows you to adapt to a variety of projects and crafting needs.
Organization
A closed-drawer organization cabinet is a sleek way to keep things out of sight but still in their place. Perfect for crafts, tools, materials, and project pieces makes for a handy storage solution for any space.
Lighting
Essential tool for your studio, home, and office. Every environment requires a unique illumination to achieve the desired effect and outcome.
Easel Lighting
Different Mediums
Molding Paste
If you're like me and love heavily textured paintings and wondered if the artist really used that much paint? Molding paste is the way to achieve that thick texture without wasting your paint.
Paint on Varnish and Sealers
Some people prefer to apply their varnish by hand, while others use spray. There are a lot of different finishes to choose from, before sealing any art piece, I'd recommend getting your hands on a few different types and experimenting with scrap art pieces. Sometimes you want a matt finish and not a gloss. Each piece may vary, and it's good to have them in your artist supply stock.
Spray Sealer
Allow for your painting and artwork to dry completely, always follow the instructions for the specific product you're using. Apply evenly and in layers. Please adhere to all safety precautions and safety protocols.
Color Wheel To help Mix Colors
An artist's basic tool. Great on hand to have when learning to mix colors, learning about warm and cool tones, and diving deeper into the world of art.
Don't Be Discouraged!
If you cannot obtain certain supplies, or have a limited financial budget, a good source for materials is thrift stores and yard sales in your local area. It's a fun, and a great way to gather supplies you can use to experiment with. Also, Art stores like Michaels's run specials and offer coupons. Look on the side of the road, neighborhood-free piles, and keep your eye out for craigslist free recyclable goods. If all else fails, I use my hands as brushes (be careful with certain surface textures), find scrap wood, and ask friends for old paint they aren't using anymore. Never let your current circumstances hinder your passion for expression, it's within your creative way to create, that also contributes to your art's journey.
If you're ever frustrated, remember failure and repetition are how we learn. Don't give up, and as long as you keep at it, you will achieve what you work for.
Happy Creating!
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