plein air painting supplies for 2010

brushes
Round Sables or Synthetics also called "White Sables"; #6, #8, #12, or #14. Robert Simmons Series #785 and Winsor and Newton Sceptre Series #101 are good. Flats: Winsor and Newton #965 excellent, 1" (1 1/2", 2") Rigger; #6, Winsor and Newton Series #860 or Robert Simmons #750 . I use Winsor & Newton Series 7, #9, Isabey Kolinsky #8. The R. Simmons series gives very good results and is less expensive. Cheap Joe’s and Daniel Smith each have very good kolinsky rounds, I also use CJAS Dragon’s Tongue, #8, #12.

paper
Arches watercolor paper, 140 Cold Pressed (CP) good for outside work. (I also use 300lb and Rough.) Imperial size 22"x30" can be divided into 1/4 sheets or 1/2 sheets.

palette
Robert E. Wood (with deep wells) or John Pike palette. I use Wood palette daily and Holbein folding palette for travel.

paint
Winsor and Newton Artists' Watercolors, Holbein, Daniel Smith, Da Vinci

current palette:
Cadmium Yellow Pale WN
Winsor Yellow WN
Viridian, DS
Permanent Rose WN
Cadmium Orange WN
Cadmium Scarlet WN
Manganese Blue Nova H
Cobalt Blue WN
French Ultramarine Blue WN
Antwerp Blue WN
Quinacridone Gold
Quinacridone Burnt Orange
Aureolin Yellow DS
Quinacridone Gold DS
Quinacridone Burnt Orange DS

occasional use:
Quinacridone Sienna DS
Cobalt Turquoise
Winsor Blue (GS)
Winsor Green
Cobalt Violet
Sap Green

sketchbook
Your choice: Aqua Bee #808 9x12 or any similar. Smaller spiral easier for travel.

watercolor paper support
Gatorboard cut to fit 1/4 and 1/2 sheets.

miscellaneous
Masking tape (artist's tape) or staples for gator board (regular stapler, not staple gun), spray bottle (empty hairspray is good), water container, soft pencils (4B, 6B), eraser (white Factis, soft), masking fluid (optional W&N colorless), Kleenex, single-edged razor blade, natural "silk" sponge, "elephant ear" sponge, and a hairdryer are helpful.

easel
I use a Julian Half Box. Lighter versions, such as the Italian Portable Easel, Daniel Smith or Cheap Joe’s, are fine.

field box
I carry a small folding portable palette for table sitting, i.e., in a café.

portable stool
Bring what you have if you like. The Alvin Portable Stool in Daniel Smith is similar to one I have from L.L Bean.

umbrella
I have a small folding umbrella that is designed to attach to a beach chair. I attach it to my easel to give shade to my painting, but my favorite is to find a shady spot.

 

 

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