Here you can find mandatory supply lists for my classes and workshops, but also some things I love and can’t resist adding
Adult Drawing – Advanced Adult Drawing Character Design for Teens – General Painting – Adult Watercolor – Advanced Watercolor – Kids Watercolor – Adult Acrylic Painting – Kids Acrylic Painting – Just for Fun
Adult Drawing
Required. A must have for all classes – Generals Draughting Pencil is my favorite hard working, soft drawing pencil. Get yourself several
Required (this or the large canvas board). Its very important to have a clean flat working space when you work. This drawing board creates the perfect flat texture. Tape your work to it for all classes – drawing, watercolor and even acrylic painting. Please choose this or large canvas board below
Required. Frog Tape, lifts off without destroying your work.
Required. Kneaded Eraser. Gentle on your paper, erases without damaging your work
Required. Strathmore drawing paper. Min size 11×14, but go bigger if you have space for it in your work area.
Required – some kind of enclosed sharpener. All classes will need to keep your pencils sharp. Be sure you have one that catches your shavings to avoid a huge mess. I have this electric one and I love it. It survives the heavy use of the classroom and everyone enjoys poking poor panda in the eye. Available in various animals.
ADVANCED ADULT DRAWING
Required For all drawing classes using alcohol markers you’ll love having this to make subtle highlights.
Conte Crayon Pencils,required for Advanced Drawing. You’ll love working on toned paper with these lovely hard pastels
Advanced Drawing/Character Design
Copic Markers are all the rage with artists everywhere. Teens love to collect them and parents can let them add to sets one color at a time or in small packs specific to need. These are not anything like old style markers. The alcohol lets them be blendable with bright and vivid colors but also the subtlety that artists love. Refillable, with a brush side and a block side. Great on marker paper and Bristol board. Mandatory for Character design and advanced Adult drawing. Some kind of set of alcohol markers needed for Character Design and Advanced drawing.
Required – your choice of Alcohol markers. A small starter kit of Copic markers, but no pens of same color family you will find it hard to blend without buying more add-on colors.
Required – your choice of Alcohol markers. Copic skin tone markers are a great add on if you are working with manga characters or figures. Fun for all drawing classes Possible kit add on
Required – your choice of Alcohol markers. Intermediate set of Copic markers in the smaller ‘ciao’ size – the colors are exactly the same as the larger size but the smaller pens may be easier to work with for smaller hands.
Required – your choice of Alcohol markers. More economical than the Copic brand, this set will get you started.
Required – your choice of Alcohol markers. This is a great way to find out if you love working with Alcohol markers. This nice big set has all the colors you’ll need to learn the special uses for these new style markers. Use them up and replace as you go with the top of the line Copic markers
Required – large or smaller set. Love this large set of Micron pens for all drawing and watercolor classes. Treat yourself to a full set or go for a smaller four pack. Basic black, please and other colors if you like.
Required For Adult, Children’s and teen classes that are using using Alcohol markers. This of heavy duty paper can hold up to markers or heavy pencil work for finished works.
.
Required – at least one thin and one thicker Sharpie roller ball gel pen. Black.
Painting – General
All acrylic painting classes should have one of these in your pack. You pay a lot for your brushes and you want them to last! Wash them out with this soap and warm water till the water runs clear. Please don’t leave them standing in water! Dry the head down or on their sides.
This canvas board is so handy I suggest it for all my classes. Be sure to pick at least as large size as your papers, the bigger the better please. Have this in your arsenal to use as a drawing board or tape your watercolor paper. I use them for acrylic painting, or for watercolor paper or sketch. Recommended for all classes.
Adult Watercolor Painting
Required (your choice of sets). You’ll fall for these exquisite QOR watercolors in the half pan (available in various sizes). These are made by GOLDEN artists colors and they are unlike any others on the market. Made with a new proprietary binder that allows them to contain less binder and more pigment. You can get vivid colors like no others can deliver.
Required (your choice of sets). If you love watercolor, you’re going to want to try this larger set from QoR for advanced students or those who just want to paint with all the colors. They also offer a vast selections by the tube to add to your palette
Required (your choice of sets). The tried and true Winsor & Newton watercolors. Soft misty colors and traditional quality.
Required. I love these economical papers to work your skills on and it’s very nice if you get something good, but not so pricey as to make you uncomfortable with the paper. I like this big size – you can always cut it down.
Required – Basic brushes. Here is a great set of little economy brushes that will get you down the road until you’re ready to make a larger investment. It is your choice of brushes but these will get you started.
Suggested. I’m often asked when students get serious about watercolor painting what brushes to buy. Here is a high quality set that will be a workhorse of your painting, as well as a great place to start.
Required. Mandatory for all watercolor classes – you’ll love having this to make subtle highlights
Suggested. I like to use watercolor tubes for in studio use and keep them in a large covered pallet. Did you know it’s best not to wash your watercolor palette after use? Leave those lovely mixes right there to be used another time. I haven’t washed mine out in 30 years!
Suggested. I like a covered palette. I have one like this I fill with my favorite colors and leave in my art kit in the car to grab some unexpected painting time, or to carry to class.
Suggested. Silver brush offers this high quality mop brush at an economical price. Delivers heavy pigment and water loads where you need it.
Suggested. Travel a bit? Or even waiting in the car for the kids to get out of class? Spoil yourself. This tiny field kit comes with paint, a water flash and a brush and area to mix. Dump the water flask and put it in your carry on, no worries about getting through the airport. Tiny size is perfect for painting on a tray table, and in your purse for all the time availability. Pair with a watercolor block and make your own postcards or travel journals along the way.
Advanced Watercolor
These papers may be pricey but you will fall in love. A watercolor block has wax around the sides of the pad so you don’t have to tape it. The paper won’t ripple when you paint, and you use a seam ripper to gently cut it out once you’re done.
Suggested. This is a cold press block, which has more texture. If you like a texture in your paper to be seen this is for you. It gives a romantic look to seascapes and landscapes. Not required for class but something for your wish list!
Suggested. This one is Hot Press – it offers a textured paper surface for things you don’t want to show distracting texture on, say like a portrait.
Suggested. If you’re using a watercolor block you will need this in your kit!
Mandatory for adult watercolor. QoR has given us this lovely light masking fluid to keep white area white for watercolor work.
Mandatory for adult watercolor. Time to get adventurous and learn about watercolor grounds and additives.
Kids Watercolor
Required. I love these economical papers to work your skills on and it’s very nice if you get something good, but not so pricey as to make you uncomfortable with the paper. I like this big size – you can always cut it down.
Required – basic brushes. Here is a great set of little economy brushes that will get you down the road until you’re ready to make a larger investment.
Required (your choice of sets). Perfect for kids watercolor and drawing classes, travels well on the plane or just to the garden for some patio art.
Adult Acrylic Painting
Required. The art sherpa has given us a nice quality brush set for beginners and at an economical price. Great for all beginning acrylic classes
Required. This will be for your color mixing, where you will create studies and mixing charts so you can paint ALL the colors.
Suggested. Silver Brush has many lines of excellent brushes but my favorite hands down is any shape or size in their Monza line. It is a quality synthetic mongoose brush with a beautiful push to it. And no mongeese were injured in the making!
Required – your choice of sets. This is a great little kit to get you rolling in the acrylic paint world with these high quality paints.
Suggested. This is my favorite acrylic paint, a hybrid really. Can be mixed with any other acrylic paints. The drying time is slowed to give more time for blending and this paint offers a beautiful jewel tone sheen – more like oil paint. This is the perfect starter kit to see if you like it. This kit works with the heavy body acrylics already in your kit.
Required. Gesso primer. We can use this to prime your watercolor paper so we can paint with acrylics on that too!
Required. These canvas boards will get you started until you’re ready for bigger things. also great for experimenting.
Required. Spray bottle.
Required. All acrylic painters should have one of these in your pack. You pay a lot for your brushes and you want them to last! Wash them out with this soap and warm water till the water runs clear. Please don’t leave them standing in water! Dry the head down or on their sides.
Suggested. Interested in outdoor painting? The GOLDEN OPEN slow dry landscape painting kit is just what you need to get started. Come trip through the hills with me and paint the scenery. Looks more like Oil without the hassle.
Required. You’ll be glad you planned ahead. This is the only thing that gets acrylic paint out, and only if you act fast!
Gelli Printing
Required. Your choice of size.
Required.
Kids Acrylic Painting
Required. A great little starter kit for kids.
Required – basic brushes. Here is a great set of little economy brushes that will get you down the road until you’re ready to make a larger investment.
Required. These canvas boards will get you started until you’re ready for bigger things. also great for experimenting.
Just for Fun
Watercolor sheets with deckled edge. For advanced watercolor and drawing class, great for mixed media too!
Toss these in your bag with your field kit and you have everything you need to paint on the beach or poolside. economically priced so you can buy them for the kids too or several packs just for you!. Not required for class but nice to have.
These are all the rage but please don’t use them on your finished work as they are hard on the paper. Great fun as a little add on gift. Kids are crazy for them.
Victoria Smith - Artist 