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EASEL
If you have an outdoor setup that is comfortable, bring that.
I like a half-size French easel for my plein air watercolors, especially half-sheet size (15x22) or larger. It is important to have an umbrella (or some other idea) for shade. I would rather sell insurance than paint a watercolor where the sun is shining directly on the paper! An umbrella with a built in C-clamps works. Artwork Essentials carry one www.artworkessentials.com
I also use a light-weight and portable set-up for small watercolors (quarter-sheet-11x15 or smaller) It is made by En Plein Air Pro. www.enpleinairpro.com
PAPER
I prefer Arches paper for plein air work. I like
it because it is a tough surface that can take a
real beating. For half-sheets or larger, I use the
300 lb; for quarter-sheets, the 140 lb. works great.
I usually carry both rough and cold-press surfaces.
I have never liked using blocks, although many artists
do. If you want to use blocks, I recommend bringing
two blocks of the same (or similar) size. That way
you can work on one while the other is drying. Bring
some Kleenex for cleaning up.
SIZES
For the purposes of this class, I recommend working
small to medium. The lessons that you learn with
plein air painting transcend technique. As such,
these lessons are more easily learned without the
added burden of covering vast expanses of paper.
I will be using quarter sheets, and possible half-sheets.
I will also be using the WC sketchbooks (in quarter-sheet
size) that I make myself (see my book for details).
PIGMENTS
I use a prismatic palette made up of a warm and
a cool of each of the three primary colors. Sometimes
I will add a green or violet (usually Viridian,
and Mauve (a DaVinci color made up of Ultramarine
Blue and Red Rose Deep).
I recommend the following pigments: Hansa Yellow
Light), Gamboge Hue, Cadmium Red Light, Red Rose
Deep (Quinacridone Red), Ultramarine Blue, Pthalo
Blue. (note: the names are from the DaVinci line
of watercolors)
Frequently
I will substitute different colors (for example,
I might use Cerulean Blue instead of Phthalo Blue
on a given painting). I rarely use white, athough
I do carry it.
Other
colors that I will occasionally substitute include
Cobalt Blue, Cerulean Blue, Prussian Blue, Permanent
Alizarin, Aureolin. As far as brands, any good artist-quality
paint will do. I have been using a lot of DaVinci
these days. I like it because it comes in large
37 ml tubes, and I use a lot of paint!
BRUSHES
First
is a good large wash brush. For a half sheet or
larger, I use a 2” Robert Simmons
‘Sky Flow’ synthetic-hair brush. For smaller
sizes, I like a 1.5” flat and/or a 1”
(either synthetic or sable). Other brushes that
I find useful are the Robert Simmons ‘Goliath’
series; large, round, synthetic-hair brushes in
sizes #36, 30, and 26.
A selection of smaller round brushes (like a #12,
#8, and #4 (and sometimes a very small, a #0 or
#00 comes in handy). Kolinsky sable is the best,
but not necessary. Synthetic-hair brushes are not
as elegant to use, but the results can be just as
positive.
There are some good synthetic-sable blends. One
of my favorites brands is the ‘Prolene’
brushes, a good sable-synthetic combo. They are
good brushes at a great price.
Last but not least, I always carry a small bristle
(oil) brush for softening and working edges. A #4
filbert is a good choice.
Select what you need from the above list. It is
not necessary to have every brush listed
PIGMENTS
I use a prismatic palette made up of a warm and a cool of each of the three primary colors: Hansa Yellow Light, Gamboge Hue, Cadmium Red Light, Red Rose Deep (a DaVinci color and a version of Quinacridone Red), Ultramarine Blue, and Cobalt Blue .Sometimes In Watercolor, I often add a green and/or a violet (usually Viridian, and Mauve (a DaVinci color made up of Ultramarine Blue and Red Rose Deep).
Frequently I will substitute different colors (for example, I might use Cerulean, Pthalo Blue or Pthalo Green instead of Cobalt Blue on a given painting). I rarely use white, athough I usually carry it.
As far as brands, any good artist-quality paint will do. I have been using a lot of DaVinci these days. I like it because it comes in large 37 ml tubes, and I use a lot of paint!
SKETCHBOOK AND A SOFT (2B)
PENCIL
Very
important. I like smaller-sized sketch books for
working in the field.
I’m
looking forward to the class. If you have questions, feel
free to contact me at: Frank@LaLumia.com. / or at (719) 845-1385.
So, come with all this stuff. But even more important,
come with an open mind.
I look forward to painting with you all.
HAPPY PAINTING! |
