Art Supplies and Recommended Reading List
for Studio & Outdoor Painting Workshops

I supply this materials list only as a suggestion to you.
Many students have their own preferred easels and supplies.
The following list is what I use and the vendors I have found to
provide quality goods at a reasonable price.

Do not feel you must have these exact materials...
although if the description calls for "airtight" or "artist grade"...please heed my advise!

As a successful painter, Armand prides himself on carrying a minimum of painting equipment,
allowing him to set up & break down quickly.
You'll learn how!

Can you transport all your painting equipment and supplies in one trip?
If not, you're carrying too much stuff. ;-)
I have written tips about packing your gear on my blog...
Art & Influence

Don't wait until the last minute to order your supplies.
If you are painting for the first time, please take time to make sure
you know how to set up and break down your equipment for painting.
A backyard or living room is a good place to practice this.



Armand Cabrera


REFERENCE MATERIALS - FOR STUDIO CLASSES...
AND FOR RAINY DAYS DURING OUTDOOR CLASSES


Bring small sketches or photographs you have shot yourself.
Please do not bring photos that were shot by someone else.
Indoors, you will paint any size up to 16" x 20".

Some venues require a tarp to paint on for indoor classes...
and if we must paint indoors due to bad weather.
Sometimes a tarp is not required....so be sure to ask me about this in advance.



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EASELS & PALETTES

You must bring a portable easel for Studio & Outdoor Workshops.
You'll be more familiar and comfortable with your own equipment.
Some workshop venues have equipment to rent.
Check with them, in advance, for rentals.

Jullian Explorer or the Original Jullian French Easel
Art Supply Warehouse 1-800-995-6778
www.aswexpress.com

A wooden palette comes with the French easel or you can order a
French Companion from
Amazon.com


Armand has a piece of glass or plastic cut to fit the French Companion.
The French Companion does not come with glass.

Because my style of painting focuses on mixing accurate, clean color, you must have a surface that can be cleaned every fifteen minutes or so during the painting process.
This is key to learning to mix color properly.
Your palette should be made of glass, plastic or wood---not paper.

 

Some artists prefer Pochade boxes. These require a separate tripod.

Artwork Essentials 949-856-2196
Peggy will be happy to assist you
www.artworkessentials.com

 

Open Box M 1-800-473-8098
(be sure to talk with Coletta to get all the details)
www.openboxm.com





Take-It Easel
Contact Tobin




 

PAINTS AND SOLVENTS

Use artist grade paints. Student grade paints are of inferior quality.





Art Supply Warehouse 800-995-6778
www.aswexpress.com


I will emphasize mixing ACCURATE color.
I recommend the following palette for this workshop...


THE PALETTE - OILS

See Armand's Video
"Organizing the Palette"
Part One

White
Ultramarine Blue
Cadmium Yellow Light
(If you buy Gamblin brand---this color is Cadmium Yellow Medium)

Permanent Alizarin Crimson

Cadmium Red Light
Lemon Yellow or Cadmium Yellow Pale
Viridian
Cobalt Blue


~ Details about the types of paint ~
USE ONLY ARTIST GRADE PAINTS

Gamblin: Artist Oil Color
Winsor Newton: Artist Oil Color
Old Holland
Rembrandt: Artist Quality Oil Color
Utretcht: Permanent Artist Color

If you do some research, you'll find many other Artist Grade paints.

Paint Suggestions for Acrylic Painters.....

I recommend using quality acrylic paints such as
Old Holland New Masters Classic Acrylics.
Avoid inferior brands like Grumbacher.

PALETTE - Acrylic

Titanium White
Cadmium Yellow Light
Permanent Alizarin
Ultramarine Blue
Cadmium Yellow Lemon
Cadmium Red Light
Cobolt Blue
Cobolt Green Deep

Bring a spray bottle with water to keep the pigments wet


 

Because I paint everyday, I am concerned about my health.
I personally use only Gamsol odorless mineral spirits.
It is the best product on the market.

*****You must use Gamblin Gamsol or water based oil paints in my Studio workshops.
Because of allergies and other health issues,
we cannot allow other mineral spirits or turps in the Studio.
Other solvents are inferior and have an odor.


DO NOT MIX GAMSOL WITH TURPENOID OR ANYTHING ELSE
"Gamsol is a highly purified form of odorless mineral spirit,
distilled at high temperature and purified of all aromatic components.
The purification process accounts for the price difference."
More information about Gamblin Gamsol


If you use water soluble oils, do NOT mix it with mediums in studio.
However, it IS alright to use Linseed Oil in the studio.

FYI...I do not personally use mediums.




PAINT BRUSHES

Hog bristle flats in sizes #4, #6, #8, #10, #12

Bring a maximum of 2 each!
No more than 2.
I use Robert Simmons Signet, hog bristle flats
I usually buy them from Jerry's Artarama or Amazon.com

Free Shipping on your art supply orders $150 or mo

 

BRUSH WASHER


***You need an airtight container for your solvent.
I recommend a high quality steel brush washer.
It is leak-proof, allowing you to store solvents without spills.
Make sure to buy the kind that has a removable lid....
the non-removable lid type often tip over.
Blick Art Materials, Amazon.com and Jerry's Artarama usually have good prices on brush washers.

Bring a sealable container to dispose of your old solvent



CANVAS & PANELS

Any store bought primed canvas will work.
I don't recommend toning your canvas before you paint.

Amazon.com
(this link directs to my recommended canvas page)

SourceTek: 800-587-5462
High quality canvas and linen panels. Ask for JoAnne or Will

Art Supply Warehouse 1-800-995-6778

Jerry's Artarama





For Outdoor Painting Workshops---
Bring canvas panels of the following size(s) that appeal to you.
6" x 8" up to 12" x 16"
(make sure the panel will fit on your easel)

For Studio Painting Workshops---
2 canvases per day...no more!
Bring canvas of the following size(s) that appeal to you.
12" x 16" up to 16" x 20"
(make sure the canvas will fit on your easel)

E-Classes
You will be painting 16" x 20" or larger




PANEL CARRIERS

A great solution for carrying multiple panels is a wet panel carrier.
Avoid getting paint all over your car, house, etc.
Great for traveling and easy to carry.
In a pinch...a pizza box will do.



Some Resources:
Artwork Essentials

Open Box M



Amazon.com



ACCESSORIES

Utility Bag (always with me when painting)
Snacks and Bottled Water

Extra Paint
Brushes
Paper Towels...a lot of them!
Paint Scraper - You Probably own one already
Click here for recommendations

Small Sketch Pad and Pencil
Kitchen Size Garbage Bags with drawstring or some type of garbage bag with handles
(for paper towels, paint scrapings, etc.)


Tarp or Small Rug for Studio Painting -
Some of our indoor venues require painters to cover the work space under their easels to protect the floors. If you are taking an Outdoor Painting workshop and we have inclement weather, you will need to have a tarp or rug available for painting indoors.



OUTDOOR PAINTING ATTIRE


Dark or neutral color clothing is recommended to avoid glare on the canvas.
Comfortable shoes/boots
A hat with a large brim
Dress for changing temperatures
Sunscreen
Insect repellent - for you, your clothes and your painting area
Mosquito Netting

WORKSHOP PARTICIPANTS

Only paid students may attend workshop.
For the benefit of all paid participants, husbands, wives, pets, children, friends, etc.
are not permitted to attend workshop.
If you are disabled, please contact me and we can arrange for your caregiver
to accompany you during the workshop.


 

ARMAND CABRERA
Recommended Reading List

You'll notice many of the recommended books are about drawing.
The biggest challenge plein air painters face is drawing.
Without good drawing skills, you'll never be an accomplished painter.

Click here to see the reading list

 


Watercolor

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Art Magazines at Discounted Prices
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