Artwork and Projects for Workshops

Supply lists and more!

This page is for workshops and is intended as a guide for projects. I will update and add projects and I encourage students to use their own artwork/photos/images as well.

Most important is to have fun and paint whatever makes you happy!

 

 

 

 

 

Supply List

 Paper

 I like 140lb Arches Cold Press but I highly encourage experimentation with all papers including super texture 300 lb rough or even crazy fun Yupo. It's really fun to try different surfaces to see what kind of results you can achive. For more consistent results stick with and learn all the characteristics of one particular kind of paper.
Paints
Iridescent Paint.
Iridescent Paints are amazing. There are several on the market and you can buy the "sparkle" and add to your existing paints.
Brusho or Crystal Paint
An assortment of set is usually a great bargain and most companies offer them. Be sure to get black and grey as they will serve you well. I like Brusho and have several Youtubes on what to buy and how to use it.
Tube paint - I love American Journey Paints available from Cheap Joe's but I do tend to mix and match and encourage you to do the same. This is the palette that I use I highly recommend that you use whatever your most comfortable with and have an established relationship. Having said that I hope that you experiment with new colors and exchange likes and dislikes with other artists and friends from time to time to keep your work fresh and exciting.
 
Yellow ochre
Quin. Gold
Burnt Sienna
Ultra Marine Blue
Burnt umber
Naples yellow
Cerulean blue
Andrew's Turquoise 
Cobalt Blue
Phthalo Blue
Janet's Violet Rose
Permanent Alizarin Crimson
Rose Madder Genuine
Cadmium Red
Aureolin Yellow

Brushes
These are the brushes I use.
 
I love a  small, medium and a large mop or round brush or Chinese lettering brushes for the bulk of my painting. It's a good idea to have and a small fine detail brush (for detail) and a 1/16 flat brush (for cleaning up lines) because they are treasures. I also highly recommend a "lizard lick" brush from Cheap Joe's (medium size) for calligraphic work add a couple of "scrubbers" (stiff bristle brushes that can lift even the toughest staining colors *use with care:) small and medium sizes and your good to go!
Other Supplies
 
Masking Fluid
Can be very useful for special effects (youtube it) but can also add an unrealistic and clumsy lines. I do use it from time to time. There are many ways to apply masking fluid or liquid frisket, and more still being developed every day. I love the "Fine-line" applicator bottle because it has a resealable "non clogging" tip and you can get spiderweb fine lines and cover large areas with no fuss.
Pencil.
Softer lead (HB 4-7) lifts and disappears more easily, I recommend experimenting with different "grades" of lead to learn the pro's and con's of each.
Erasers.
I love the kneaded erasers but keep several kinds for different effects. Small round and cube erasers with sharp corners can do amazing things. Erasers are pretty inexpensive and I encourage you to have a collection at your ready. Always take care not to bruise or smudge your paper.
Sturdy Board or Painting Surface.
I use Gator board ( a stiff and treated non porous light foam board) to tape my paper onto. Any non flexible board that is easy to clean and move around should do the trick. Most paper sizes range from small to '30x22"  so size your surface to fit the paintings. You can of course paint right on a table, just be careful of staining! I like to put something under my board it to tilt it up -like a rolled up towel or equivalent. A table to easel or similar is great also!
Misc.
Tape. If you use tape to secure your paper masking or DIY tape works great. Some artists "pre soak" and stretch their paper and secure with staples. Find what works best for you.
Drinking straw.
Small and large kitchen sponges.
Spray bottles. I have a small and a large.
Plastic tubs or whatever you use for water, and paper towels (viva has no pattern to transfer to you paper).
Cloth kitchen towels or rags for cleaning and for soaking up excess moisture from your brushes. Don't use your good towels, they will get funky!
That's pretty much all you need! Enjoy!!