The equipment available to the oil painter is extensive and can therefore be confusing. Initially, the artist should work with as few materials as possible and concentrate on perfecting his technique and understanding of the medium. After a time, it is worthwhile to experiment with a variety of brushes, knives, and mediums, their uses and effects. The basic equipment required by the oil painter should include a small range of oil colors, a selection of brushes of various shapes and sizes, such as bristle flats and rounds, and smaller sables; a palette knife for mixing and scraping back; distilled turpentine for thinning (not a turpentine substitute); a medium such as linseed or poppy oil; a palette - paper, wood, or glass - and plenty of rags or paper towels.
A great variety of brushes are available to the oil painter. Each type offers a different texture and effect. Some of the most common include (above right to left): Fan brush for blending; small, medium, and large round bristle brushes for a smooth effect; large, medium, and small flat bristle for covering large areas; fine sable oil painting brush for detail work. THE FINEST BRUSHES SHOULD BE PURCHASED AND CARED FOR ACCORDINGLY.
Shown above are some of the standard equipment needed by the oil painter.
For hundreds of years, oil painters have used various types of fabric for their paintings. Of prime importance is that fabric will alter with atmospheric changes; as well, the minute gaps between the threads allow for thorough drying of the paint. There are many types of fabrics available ranging from very expensive linen and canvas to the popular cotton duck. These are available either unprimed or ready-primed. Some of the most common (above) include; (1) 10 oz. cotton duck; (2) 12oz. cotton duck; (3) 15 oz. cotton duck; (4) 9 oz. cotton duck; (5) embroidery linen; (6) artist's linen; (7) unbleached calico; (8) flax; (9) Hessian; (10) prepared canvas.
When one firsts begins to paint it is too often with the notion that if it doesn't work out they will simply give it up for another hobby. This attitude is destructive; ones ability to paint is in direct relationship to ones commitment to learning. So it is with material purchasing. The beginner starts "on the cheap", uncommitted and unsure. Poor brushes and paints give poor results. ALWAYS purchase better brushes and care for them carefully. Always clean brushes completely in a solvent or thinner. Then wash them with warm water and a good painters soap. Never stand them "bristles down" or lay them on their sides. Always stand them up with the bristle up. A glass jar does nicely for this (only a few per bottle).
I am a big fan of learning to paint from a limited palette. Meaning, you need not buy 25 tubes of paint! As with brushes, always buy good paints. There is a tremendous difference in paints. A general rule of thumb is "the cheaper the paint, the more filler and the less pure pigment". Don't shortcut...If one must conserve try a good Winsor-Newton product. AND, if you feel that you simply MUST try the wet-on-wet method as seen on public TV ( I know how tempting it looks), then buy those thick paints they produce, and their brushes, and keep them as far away from your fine art materials as you can! Don't ever mix the two...It can be disaster.
I hope this page will help some of you decide which things to buy.