If you are in the United States, I recommend a set of my own Geneva Artists' Oil Color, which is already mixed with the perfect medium for each color and requires no further preparation. It performs better than other brands, is easier to work with, and contains no solvents (no mineral spirits and no turpentine) so there are no toxic fumes to worry about. It is the perfect limited palette for painting realism.
You can get Geneva Oil Color here: Geneva Fine Art Supplies
If you live outside the United States, Canada, and Europe click here for alternative paint and medium recommendations.
In addition, you will also need a tube of stain for staining your canvas. I recommend the stain that I developed, Geneva Foundation Canvas Stain. Do not use this for the actual painting process, and make sure to stain your canvas in a well-ventilated area!
You can get Geneva Foundation Canvas Stain here: Geneva Foundation Canvas Stain
Click here for a video on how to stain your canvas with Geneva Foundation Canvas Stain.
Click here for a video on how to stain your canvas using an alternate brand of canvas stain.
Different people have different preferences when it comes to brushes. I've tried all kinds of brushes, and this is what I recommend to people who do not want to spend too much money:
At least two small detail brushes, like the Winsor & Newton Monarch Round #00
At least four small filbert brushes like the Winsor & Newton Artists' Oil Brush Filbert #2
At least two medium-size filbert brushes like the Winsor & Newton Artists' Oil Brush Filbert #5
If you are going to be painting large paintings (30"x 40" or larger) you may want to purchase some larger filberts.
The above recommended number of total brushes should be considered a bare minimum. I personally use about three or four times as many brushes when I paint. Using too few brushes will make painting more difficult.
Two large 2-inch brushes like this one:
Be sure to work new brushes in your hand before using them so that any loose bristles will fall out. This is especially important for the varnishing brush as the the varnish dries quickly and you won't have a lot of time to be pulling bristles out of your varnish.
If you buy pre-stretched canvas, I recommend Centurion brand primed linen canvas.
If you're going to be stretching your own — which I demonstrate here: youtu.be/5Aw820hyZS0 — you'll need to buy canvas and stretcher strips.
The Stabilo-All Pencil 8044 Yellow is ideal for penciling on stained canvas. Do not use a regular lead pencil, as it will mix with your paint and "gray up" your color.
You can make a simple glass palette yourself. I use glass palettes because they are easy to clean. Most glass supply stores can cut them for you. Have them grind the edges and round the corners. 22"x 15" x ⅛ in. thick is a good size. For instructions on making a great palette, watch this video: youtu.be/CODlWL6HqzM.
I also have a video on how to make a great palette table to hold your palettes, which you can watch here: youtu.be/wZmcJ4Ox_94.
Watch this video where I explain what type of light is best for your studio, this is important:
- proportional divider (click here to make one yourself)
- color checker (click here to make one yourself)
- gloss varnish (Winsor & Newton Artists' Gloss Varnish is good)
- mineral spirits (for staining canvas — odorless mineral spirits recommended)
- paper bowls (the kind with a glossy finish)
- rubbing alcohol (for cleaning palettes)
- paper towels (buy the cheap ones — the thick, soft, expensive ones produce more lint)
- canvas pliers and a staple gun (if you plan to stretch your own canvas)
- If you are not using Geneva paint, you will need containers for paint mixed with medium.
(I recommend 8oz [250ml] wide-mouth mason jars, or larger for multiple tubes of paint) along with flat mixing sticks (for each color of paint in your containers).