An Introduction To Artist Supplies

There are a wide array of artist supplies available. The variety and selection can be dizzying. There are some items that are most commonly sold and found among creative professionals. They are typically the most easily found and best priced supplies available.

Artists new to painting, as well as many others, often use acrylic paints. They are usually made with water, acrylic powder, and tint. While especially popular with amateur artists, it is also used by many professional artists. Acrylics carry three main advantages. First, they are water soluble, which makes for easy thinning and cleanup. Second, the paint dries quickly and can be painted over easily. Finally, acrylics can be used directly or with a number of mediums to produce a large array of textures and three dimensional effects.

Many people think of oil paints in conjunction with fine art and working artists. Classical painters predominantly worked in oil paints. Oil evaporates much more slowly than water. This causes oil paintings to take long periods of time to completely dry. Experienced painters use this quality to subtly mix and blend colors directly on the canvas to create a unique look.

Canvas is the classical surface for painters. Canvas is a sturdy woven fabric. It is pulled taught over a frame and secured into place. It is typically coated with a white primer to provide a good painting surface. "Nude" canvas that is not primed is also available in some art stores and college supply shops. Flat canvasses have the material glued into place on a stiff piece of special cardboard. Regular, or traditional, canvasses are attached with nails or staples to a wood frame.

Brushes are an essential item in an artist's toolbox. They come in quite the variety of shapes, sizes, and fiber densities. Quality brushes usually use sable hair, but less expensive synthetic fiber options are easily available. A wide variety of brushes are desired to allow the artist maximum flexibility in creating their work.

Sculpture clay is another popular item. It comes in a wide variety of textures, densities, colors, and compositions. Many forms of clay require a kiln or oven for curing and hardening the final sculpture. Be sure to select the proper clay for your purposes. Do a bit of research to see what types of clay have worked best for other artists using similar techniques.

Most artists require some tools and accessories to complete their needs. An easel to hold a canvas steady at a good angle and a palette for holding and mixing paint are standard painters tools. Matte knives are used for mixing and spreading paint, as well as for some painting techniques. Sculptors require a set of knives in a variety of shapes and sizes just as much as a painter needs brushes.

Online purchasing is quickly becoming a primary source for artist supplies. Craft stores used to carry a wider variety of art supplies. They are no longer a good choice for an artist's needs. Specialty and university stores are best brick and mortar choices for purchasing paints and other art items. They are likely to have an excellent selection at reasonable prices.