Plein Air Painting, Six Minute Setup, and Oil Painting Materials

PLEIN AIR PAINTING MATERIALS

Remember that painting is based on drawing, and if you are just beginning all you need is a simple pencil and a sketchbook. For those ready to paint, please see below.

I’d like to quickly state that much of what I’ve learned about plein air painting comes from three friends of mine, outstanding professional, plein air painters Marc Dalessio , John Traynor, and Leo Mancini Hresko. Visit their websites to view their work. Marc has an excellent and informative Youtube channel. I’m indebted to them for everything that I am relaying below.

Plein Air Easel– I recommend starting with a cheap, inexpensive plein air easel, such as a standard French Easel. The easel that I use is the Gloucester, sold by Take It Easel, a beautiful product that is hand made in Vermont. It is easy to sling over your shoulder, and sleek in its compact design. Best thing about the Gloucester is that nothing can blow it over or knock it over, very important for plein air painters.
Source: https://www.takeiteasel.com

Palette Box– I have a handmade box, made by Bob Rummel, an excellent woodworker from the US. It does a good job of storing everything that I need for painting. What’s best, it doubles as a palette, as the palette is built into the box. Alternately, you can use a lightweight backpack to transport everything you need for painting. It’s a question of personal preference, and how far you will be trekking- bags are cheaper, and lighter by far than boxes. Bob's website doesn't have a specific cart or form, but you can contact him and tell him that Kevin McEvoy sent you.
Source: http://bobrummel.com/workszoom/2010089

Canvas– The golden rule of plein air painting is: always bring two or three canvases to every painting session, no matter what. You never know when the weather/cloud cover etc. will change, and you might need a new canvas. I recommend New Traditions Panels for plein air painting. They have an excellent type of canvas called C66, it is linen with two coats of titanium primer, mounted on gatorfoam panel. This is a superb painting surface, and if you order in bulk (ten or fifteen smaller canvases), then you can save. Source: http://www.newtraditionsartpanels.com/store/index.php

Brushes– sable and bristle. I recommend Rosemary brushes. Two types: Series 2065, Chungking, assorted sizes. Series 11, Pure Kolinsky Sable, assorted sizes
Source for Bristle brushes: https://www.rosemaryandco.com/chungking-long-flat?filter_name=2025
Source for Sable brushes: https://www.rosemaryandco.com/oil-brushes/pure-kolinsky-sable-oils/pure-kolinsky-filbert

Palette- I prefer wood, non disposable. My palette is built into my palette box, as I do not like to hold a palette while I plein air paint. If you prefer a hand held palette, there are a few types out there that are good. My favorite is the Zecchi hand crafted from Jackson art, but there are other excellent types.
Source for Zecchi Palette: https://www.jacksonsart.com/en-us/zecchi-hand-crafted-balanced-wooden-palette-right-handed
Source for Turtlewood Palette: https://turtlewoodpalettes.com/products-%26-orders

Solvent- Gamsol (oderless mineral spirits), or Turpentine. No commercial paint thinners/spirits, only artist quality. (Commercial grade is extremely noxious and potent, and will destroy brushes)
Source: https://www.utrechtart.com/products/gamblin-gamsol-odorless-mineral-spirits/

Oil Paints- The assortment of paints I recommend can all be found from Blue Ridge Oil Paints, listed as follows:
– titanium white
– Naples yellow
– Yellow ochre
– cadmium yellow light
– cadmium yellow medium
– cadmium orange
– cadmium red
– kings blue
– cerulean blue
– cobalt blue
– ultramarine blue deep (only available from Old Holland, on Utrecht website)
Source: https://blueridgeoilpaint.com/product-category/oil-colors

Palette Cups- Two needed, screw cap suggested
Source: https://guerrillapainter.com/products/palette-cup

Painting Medium- I prefer Balsam mediums, such as Demayerne, from Blue Ridge. You can work with many types of medium, but I would strongly suggest staying away from Liquin. Also, educate yourself before going headlong into any medium- for instance, sun thickened linseed oil, if used too liberally, can turn whites into tawny, uric yellows over time.
Source: https://blueridgeoilpaint.com/product/demayerne-medium

Paper Towel Roll-
Source: Supermarket

Plastic Shopping Bags- for use as garbage bags
Source: Supermarket

Dishwashing Gloves- For squeezing out fresh paint and for cleaning up
Source: Supermarket

Shampoo bottles, small– Two Needed, to store solvent and medium
Source: Available at most pharmacies, in travel section

Bungee cord- An elastic bungee with hooks on either side
Source: Hardware Store

Steel Wool- Optional, for scrubbing away dried oil paint
Source: Hardware Store

Bug Spray- Keep two types on you: the natural type for mild pests, and the deep woods type for times when the bugs are more aggressive
Source: Hardware Store

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