As far as easels go whatever you might choose make sure that it is certainly sturdy. The folding ones are a superb choice to invest your money in. An easel is not really an essential item, but they can prove very useful if you need to move around. These you can take anywhere to suit your needs.

This enables you to head out to the countryside, town squares, gardens, parks, homes, etc., wherever you like. It gives you total freedom. In certain situations I have utilized an old school blackboard stand as a prop for my work. Even this is better than trying to work on a flat surface. Personally I was lucky enough to pick up a second-hand easel, however this is not the best sort that can be purchased in art suppliers now. As a contemporary artist I like an easel that does not wobble!

Possibly the best that can be got on the market today are the ones called “the radial”. These I think will hold a painting up to 52 inches or the equivalent in centimetres high. Most likely this is the best you can get for use in your home. One only requires to see one to note that they are equally strong and firm.

Even once you have an easel you will still need something at hand to put your working tools on. At one time I used to use an old tea trolley which was great, not only could you move it around to suit your needs, but I found that I could manage to get all my equipment on it. This saved time getting up and down for things. They are easy to pick up at car boot sales, local auctions, tip or antique shops.

A normal palette with a thumb hole is an absolute must have for your kit. Some people tend to use brown wood ones. To my mind I would always use the white trays, as with these they contrast your colours better. In fact, I find myself using glass and enamel plates or china saucers. A friend of mine, who is also a contemporary painter, simply uses plain glass with white paper below it.

Surfaces to paint on will be varied. Different types seem more suitable according to your various times and wants. Money does not really come in to it. Many people prepare and stretch their own canvasses. Generally you find it is better to have several canvasses at hand. Although really you can use hardboard, canvas, plywood or many other backings for your work. The point to be realised is, you need a different assortment of sizes and shapes.

If you normally only work on one painting at a time it does not matter, from my own experience I usually have about three on the go at any one time. It is very frustrating if you run out of surfaces to paint on when you are currently feeling creative.

This will hopefully give you an idea of what your needs are. Once you have these you have to add brushes, palette knives, turps and turps substitute, drying and linseed oils plus maybe some other mediums. A household brush also comes in handy together with the paints themselves and containers. Hope you will enjoy your creations.

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Posted in: Drawing Tips | | January 2009