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ACRYLIC SUPPLY LIST

PLEASE NOTE: BEGINNING ACRYLIC PAINTERS SHOULD CHOOSE JUST ONE TYPE OF ACRYLIC TO PURCHASE, EITHER THE FLUID OR THE THICKER TUBE ACRYLICS, NOT BOTH. (However, intermediate students may decide to mix fluid acrylics and thicker tube acrylics for different effects.)

ACRYLIC PAINT:
GOLDEN FLUID ACRYLICS

I enjoy the brilliant colours and flow of this paint. It is ideal for smoothly finished, realistic paintings. It can also be thinned with water or one of the acrylic mediums to make effects that are identical to watercolour. I also recommend the Golden "Glazing Liquid" for slowing the drying time to allow for very smooth gradations. If you tend to paint in a realistic detailed style, you would probably enjoy the fluid acrylics. They can also be used in a free style.

If you like to use a thicker paint that shows brush strokes (think van Gogh, Tom Thomson or Rembrandt), you would probably prefer the tube acrylics listed farther down on this page.

Here are the recommended starter pigments for -

GOLDEN FLUID ACRYLICS - ESSENTIALS:
(4 oz. bottles)

Hansa Yellow Opaque
Ultramarine Blue
Phthalo Blue
Phthalo Green
Quinacridone Red
Quinacridone Crimson

Burnt Sienna (Brown)
White - I prefer to use white acrylic gesso with the fluid acrylics. Liquitex white gesso is recommended. You may want to buy a larger bottle of this.

GOLDEN FLUID ACRYLICS - OPTIONALS
Quinacridone Nickel Azo Gold -
this is a wonderful colour that thins to yellow
Pyrrole Orange - this orange is brighter than a mixed orange
If you like doing portraits, the following is recommended: Yellow Oxide


There are many other interesting pigments plus some metallics and interference colours available in the fluid acrylics as well.

MEDIUMS - OPTIONAL
Golden Glazing Liquid - slows drying time, your choice of satin or gloss finish.

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For those who prefer to use a thicker acrylic paint, here is the recommended list.

ARTIST VS. STUDENT QUALITY:
I recommend starting right in at artist quality. You will benefit from experiencing the richer pigment load of artist quality right from the first. The following is a list of Liquitex Artist Quality (not Basics) paint. (The Golden brand tube acrylics are also an excellent product, you could price compare.) The 2 oz tubes will get you started.


ACRYLIC PAINT
ESSENTIALS:
Titanium White (buy more white)
Hansa Yellow Medium PY 73
Ultramarine Blue PB 29
Phthalo Blue PB15
Phthalo Green PG 7
Acra Crimson Red PV 19
Naphthol Crimson Red PR170 F5RK
Burnt Sienna PR101

RECOMMENDED FREQUENTLY USED:

Yellow Ochre PY 43
Orange - Any bright orange
Alizarin Crimson Hue, Permanent PR 206 (good for portraits)

MEDIUMS - OPTIONAL
Golden Glazing Liquid - slows drying time, your choice of satin or gloss finish. I like the way this medium improves the flow of the thicker paint from the brush.

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OTHER SUPPLIES FOR BOTH TYPES OF ACRYLIC

BRUSHES
The new Synthetic brushes are excellent buys. Two medium size rounds (Size 8), 2 small 1.5 cm square, a 2.5 cm. (that's1 inch) square, plus one small triangular painting knife are all that are essential. Optional: a smaller round brush for details. Acrylic paint is hard on brushes, never use expensive sable brushes with it, and don't ever let the paint dry on your brush.

PAPER
The most cost effective way to buy good quality paper is by the sheet. Ask the staff, the sheets are tucked away in drawers. I recommend an acid free (not Ph Neutral) 140 lb. with a `Cold Pressed' surface. (Bockingford is my favourite brand.) Buy 2 sheets. Cheryl frequently tells you what size to bring to the first class. For instructions on how to prestretch watercolour paper, click here. However, acrylics can also be used on canvas, and canvas does not require prestretching. If this interests you, I recommend a Fredrix Canvas Pad, 12 x 16 or 16 x 20 inches. If you are using watercolour paper or canvas pad, it is recommended that you buy a corrigated plastic board to tape your sheet onto. Cut the board to a couple of inches larger than your sheet/pad size. This makes it easier to paint and to transport. Mercury Art Supplies sells these and will even cut them for you for a small fee.

MISCELLANEOUS SUPPLIES
Any white palette (I use wax paper over white cardboard), 1 sheet of graphite paper (light gray), pencil, pencil sharpener, eraser, ball point pen, large plastic container for water, paper towels, small piece of hand soap, 3 ring binder for notes, 12" ruler, masking tape, and photos for reference (inspiration!).
OPTIONAL: If you like to use your acrylic in a watercolour manner, you might enjoy some masking fluid (liquid latex).

"I'm glad I haven't found my style yet. I'd be bored to death." Edgar Degas (1834 - 1917)

MERCURY ART & CRAFT SUPERSTORE

This London art supply store, located at Wellington and Baseline (beside Staples), stocks art supplies for Cheryl's courses. You will find the staff friendly and helpful.

BACK to Art Courses

UPDATED 05/10