Important Note from Kimball…
In my workshops I do NOT require that people use the same tools, supplies, or techniques that I do; though I’m happy to share everything I know! Please feel free to bring whatever suits your preference. My workshop is meant to enhance what you’re already doing in your individual practice. If you are new to painting or you just want to try something different, this is a list of what I use. I may make individual recommendations on supplies if I think you might benefit from something new, but as with everything, it’s entirely up to you. I will however HIGHLY recommend that students squeeze lots of paints onto their palette, AND USE LOTS OF IT!
Artists who paint with acrylic are welcome in my workshop. I know very little about how the medium works, and so I may not be able to give input on all the specific qualities of acrylic paint. Lastly, this supply list contains supplies for both plein air and in-studio (indoor) workshops.
This usually means that plein air workshops will require a few more items than the indoor studio classes. Take note of whether the class you are attending is outdoor or indoors and pack according.
Paints
Necessary Colors
- White (usually Titanium White)
- Cadmium Yellow (You can use Hansa as a substitute)
- Orange or Cadmium Orange (You can use Shiva/Hansa Orange, see below)
- Alizarin Permanent or Quinacridone Magenta (my preference)
- Ultramarine Blue
- Viridian Green (or Pthalo Green, my preference)
- NOTE: Cadmium red is very common, but for my landscape palette I get by just fine with
Cadmium Orange and Quinacridone Magenta as a substitute.
My Current Palette:
- From Richeson: Titanium White, Yellow Ochre, Quinacridone Magenta, Ultramarine Blue,
Pthalo Green, Transparent Red Oxide, Turquoise, Pthalo Blue - From Gamblin: Cadmium Yellow Light, Cadmium Orange, Radiant Yellow, Radiant Magenta
- From Grumbacher: Thalo Yellow Green (Student Grade)
A NOTE ON MY TOOLS:
Much to the frustration of students in my classes, I am CONSTANTLY switching up the tools and brushes that I use when I paint. It’s not something I’m proud of, but I can’t seem to stick with one set of tools that I can consistently use. I try to keep this supply list updated a few times a year, but even still I struggle to “stick to the list”! For this reason I have to ask for your patience as you may find in class that I use more or less tools than those listed here. This is one of the reasons I encourage you to paint with the tools and materials that you are most comfortable with.
Brushes
I am constantly trying new brushes in an effort to improve my edgework. The bulk of my brushes right now are from the Classic, Ultimate, Eclipse, and Evergreen lines by Rosemary. Either synthetic or natural hog bristle brushes are great for moving paint. The brush “shapes” I use tend to be Flats, Brights, Fans, and Filberts of various sizes. As a rule of thumb, these are the sizes and shapes I gravitate towards:
- Long Flat sizes 4,6,8,12 (Ultimate size 6)
- Filbert size 2,4,6 (Ultimate size 2)
- Rigger size 2 (for signature)
- Bright size 6,10
- Sizes 2,4 (Classic size 1, 2)
Additional
- Gamsol at the start of painting for toning canvas, and doing a thin block-in
- Palette Knife
It is necessary to use a palette knife for mixing and painting. I like the normal (diamond) shaped ones
that are on the smaller end. - Squeegee
Occasionally I use a Princeton Catalyst Silicone squeegee Mini Blade No. 2 White. Also, I use
“Silicone Paint Brushes”, 1 inch and 2 inch, that you can purchase from Hobby Lobby. - Easel
Any portable Plein Air easel will do. French easels work very well and so do pochade boxes. Make
sure it is something that you are used to and can set up relatively quickly in the field. Umbrellas are
optional (I don’t use one). My current go-to easel is the Alla Prima Pochade 11×14 Yellowstone Box. - Palette
Paper, Wood, or Glass (my favorite) all work fine. A small cup for thinner/medium. Be generous with
the amount of paint you squeeze onto the palette. Before the workshop, have your paints squeezed
out and ready to go. - Brush Washer
Bring a small brush washer that doesn’t leak. Odorless Mineral Spirits are preferred. I use Gamsol,
and I highly recommend it for both cleaning brushes and thinning paint. In the studio I use Linseed Oil
in my brush cleaner (I avoid using Gamsol indoors). - Paper Towels
Any paper towels are fine, Viva are the best (IMO)! - Canvas or Boards
Any painting surface will do. Canvas boards from the craft store are satisfactory, gessoed/primed panels are great, and oil-primed linen boards (my preference) are exceptional. I make my own boards with Claessens 66 or 15 (SP or DP), mounted to a board (Gatorboard or ACM) with Lineco PVA glue. This is something I prepare in my studio to save on costs. Premade linen panels can be purchased from places like Raymar, Wind River Arts, or Sourcetek.
SIZES: For my classes, feel free to use any size you want. We work on a painting each day, so try to bring something that you feel you could nearly finish within 3 hours. Common sizes would be 8×10, 9×12, 10×12, 11×14, 12×16. Use the sizes you are comfortable with but keep in mind time constraints.
Affordable Option: Zinsser White Cover Stain Oil-Based Interior/Exterior Primer and Sealer (This is a house paint primer that can be purchased at any hardware store for cheap. You can apply it with a simple sponge brush and dries in only a few hours.). I like to press Viva Paper Towels over the wet primer right after applying it, and then quickly remove it, leaving a subtle texture on the board. - Past Paintings or Images: It is not at all a requirement but feel free to bring work that you have done if you’d like a critique. It’ll take place either before or after the scheduled workshop time.
- Additional Items: Warm clothes, sunscreen, Rain gear, Umbrella, bug spray, drawing pad, notepad (for notes IF you choose), trash bags (plastic grocery bags work great), snacks and camera.
- IMPORTANT: Please bring a lawn chair for lectures and demos.
Contact Information: Feel free to contact me with questions that you have through e-mail, text or phone call. Kimball Geisler / (530)-902-6737 / kmbllgeisler@gmail.com
