My Favorite
Oil Painting Supplies
Hey there, fellow painting enthusiasts! If you’re like me, you know that having the right tools can transform your art. I’ve compiled my go-to supplies — from richly pigmented paints to unique tools like palette knives and citrus-based solvents! Whether you’re just starting out or a seasoned painter, these essentials will set you up for success. Dive into the list, pick your favorites, and let's bring some vibrant masterpieces to life!
— Rylan Love
Oil Paints
Richly pigmented paints that deliver vibrant, long-lasting colors with excellent coverage and blendability. Ideal for artists seeking depth and versatility in their work.
My Choice: Old Holland Classic Oil Paints – Known for their unparalleled pigment concentration and smooth, buttery consistency.
My Choice: M. Graham Oil Paints – Made with walnut oil for a smooth texture and brilliant color retention.
Brushes
High-quality brushes designed specifically for oil painting, offering excellent control and durability. Choose from a variety of shapes and sizes to create different strokes and effects, ensuring smooth application and blending of colors.
My Choice: Rosemary & Co. Brushes – Personal Fav are the Evergreen Synthetics. The Evergreen range are composed of 100% synthetic fibres which give the brushes a fabulous spring and snap.
Supports / Surfaces
A variety of surfaces to suit different styles and techniques, from smooth, durable linen canvases to portable, primed aluminum panels. Each surface offers unique textures and absorbency levels for different effects.
Oil Painting Paper: A classic choice for erasing stronger pencil marks with ease.
My Choice: Arches Oil Painting Paper – Archival quality, acid-free paper specifically designed for oil painting.
Aluminum Panels: Precision erasing for those tiny details, corrections, or cleaning up inked drawings.
My Choice: Local Sign Shops – Check with your local sign shop. I asked for an Aluminum Composite Material 8 feet x 4 feet cut in various dimensions. It ran me about $144 at my local place.
Linen Canvas: For ultimate control and accuracy in erasing, giving you sharp, clean edges.
My Choice: Cheap Joes Linen Canvas – Traditional, high-quality canvases that offer excellent texture and durability.
Clipboard
Protect your finished drawings from smudging, fading, or yellowing. Keep your art in pristine condition for years to come.
My Choice: 23x26 Clipboard – Keeps your artwork safe without that shiny, distracting gloss.
Brush Cleaner
Essential for maintaining the quality and longevity of your brushes. Brush cleaners remove oil paint from the bristles while conditioning them to prevent damage or fraying.
My Choice: Chelsea Classical Studio Lavender Brush Cleaner – Non-toxic, biodegradable cleaner that preserves brush softness and shape.
Brush Soap
A gentle yet effective cleaner for brushes and surfaces, helping extend the life of your tools. Safe for use on both natural and synthetic bristles.
My Choice: Murphy's Wood Oil Soap – An effective cleaner for brushes and surfaces, extending the life of your tools.
Solvents
A low-odor alternative to traditional solvents, perfect for thinning oil paints and cleaning brushes without the harsh smell of turpentine or mineral spirits. Ideal for artists who prefer a more natural option.
My Choice: Eco-House Xtra Mild Citrus Thinner 16 oz. – A natural, less toxic solvent with a pleasant citrus scent.
Solvent-Free: Fast and efficient, providing a perfect point every time for uninterrupted creativity.
My Choice: Green for Oil – An eco-friendly solvent alternative that’s non-toxic and safer to use in small studio spaces. Note this doesn’t dry nearly as fast as traditional solvent.
Varnish
A protective coating applied to finished paintings to safeguard against dust, UV light, and yellowing. It enhances color vibrancy and provides a consistent finish.
My Choice: Gamvar Gloss Varnish – Easy to apply, removable, and comes in gloss, satin, and matte finishes to suit your preference.
Cloths
Perfect for cleaning up spills, wiping brushes, or prepping surfaces without leaving any lint or residue. A studio staple for a clean and professional workspace. I went with Cleanroom Cloths cuz everything was leaving lint in my paint!
My Choice: Clean Room Cloths – High-quality, lint-free cloths that ensure a clean, dust-free surface every time.
Palette Knives
Versatile tools for mixing colors, applying paint, or creating unique textures on your canvas. Available in various shapes and sizes to suit your painting style.
My Choice: Palette Knives – Great for mixing colors, applying paint, or creating texture on your surface.
Easel
A sturdy easel is essential for holding your painting surface at the right angle and height. Choose from studio, plein air, or tabletop models depending on your space and painting style.
My Choice: Cheap Joe’s Mighty H-Frame Easel – TBH I don’t love it but I don’t hate it either. Seems like a good all-around starter sturdy easel.
Palette
A smooth, easy-to-clean surface for mixing colors, providing a neutral background that enhances color perception. Resistant to staining and easy to scrape clean.
My Choice: Custom Glass Palette – For a thick sheet of glass, I went to my local glass maker and asked for a 1/4 inch piece of glass with “bumped” edges and corners.
Mediums
Enhance the flow, drying time, and finish of your oil paints. Different mediums can add gloss, transparency, or texture to your work.
My Choice: M. Graham Walnut Oil – A natural, slow-drying oil that enhances paint flow and transparency.
My Choice: M. Graham Alkyd Walnut Oil – Speeds up drying time. I’m trying to use this less and less but sometimes i’m just impatient!
Mahl Stick
A lightweight, durable tool that helps steady your hand while painting, ensuring precision and control for detailed work.
My Choice: Carbon Fiber Mahl Stick – Ultra-light and ergonomically designed, perfect for both studio and plein air painting.
Tweezers
A precise tool essential for removing stray brush hairs, lint, or dust that can mar the surface of a painting.
My Choice: Fine-Point Tweezers – Ideal for delicate tasks like picking out tiny debris without scratching the paint. These are sharp! So watch out!