James Swanson’s Painting Supply List
3-4 - canvases or panels (11x14 or 12x16) - I work on
Centurion Oil Primed Linen Canvas Panels, find them and almost all the supplies at http://www.jerrysartarama.com
A Painting Palette - The bigger the better. Disposables ones are ok
- Very important items to start painting
Safflower Oil for a painting medium
I use Safflower oil as my painting medium and it works great and isn’t toxic or smell. Many paint companies use it instead on Linseed oil in their paints. I buy Safflower oil in bottles by Utrecht at Blick’s art supplies online.
Baby oil - brush cleaner Only. No Gamsol or Turpenoid
Baby oil to clean my brushes and only to clean brushes.
Roll of paper towels and plastic grocery bags for trash
3 - small plastic or glass containers - 1-Cottage Cheese type with top to store leftover paint and 2-smaller ones for holding painting medium and cleaner (about 2 - 3" in size). Oil Paint Brushes – Any Bristle and Synthetic brushes will work but these size are good ones to have
Utrecht Series 209 Pure Natural Chungking Hog Bristle Brush, Flats
Flats, Size: #12 - (1"wide brush), #10 - ( 3/4"wide brush), #6
Good strong brushes.
Best Brushes –
I also use Rosemary Ivory Synthetic Long Flat Brushes in the same sizes. I love these brushes, great for finishing work.
Size: #12 - (1"wide brush), #10 - ( 3/4"wide brush), #4
Palette Knives –
Blick Palette Knives by RGM, Style 31 or Style 72
triangle shaped blades about 1" or a 2 ¼ " in blade length
The 2 ¼ is what I use
Suggested Oil Paint Colors
Perm Alizarin Crimson or Rose Madder Deep
Cadmium Red Light
Cadmium Yellow Light
Cadmium Orange
Utrecht Cobalt Blue Hue (I use the Utrecht Cobalt blue Hue)
or French Ultramarine Blue
Titanium White
Red Oxide Light or Terra Rosa or Venetian Red
Transparent Red Oxide
Phthalo Green Blue shade
Yellow Ocher
I use mostly Rembrandt oils. I find their cadmiums to be stronger and brighter than other brands.