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GETTING STARTED K.I.S.S.

There is a lot of information on this page but to get you started let's Keep It Simply Simple. For your first class I suggest you rent your supplies. That will give you a chance to see if this style of painting is for you. You will only need to bring a roll of paper towels, a pack of baby wipes and a box to carry home your completed wet painting. If you decide you want to start purchasing your equipment you will have a chance to see what others are using and we can discuss the hows and whys of supplies. To see an example of supplies used in the classroom go to the Classes page, find a painting and click on Supplies.

PURCHASING YOUR SUPPLIES

Alexander Art supplies are available on line at www.AlexanderArt.com Bob Ross supplies are available at Hobby Lobby, Michaels, Jo-Anns and on line at www.BobRoss.com. USE COUPONS WHENEVER POSSIBLE. Hobby Lobby coupons - local newspapers and on line. Jo-Ann coupons - local newspapers and mailing (sign up at store). Michaels - local newspapers.

PAINTS AND MEDIUMS

The wet-on-wet technique requires paints that are extra thick and formulated to work with special mediums. Traditional oils are too thin for the wet-on-wet technique. The special mediums allow the painter to move and blend colors, right on the canvas. Paints that are made specifically for this technique are the Bob Ross or the Alexander Art brands. In some cases you may substitute the Winton brand.

GESSO vs MEDIUMS

Gesso (pronounced jess-o) is a fast-drying flat acrylic liquid (water based) primer used to prepare a canvas for painting. It serves to inhibit absorbtion while taming/smoothing the raw canvas. Several coats of a thin application work best. Most canvas you find at the store have already been gessoed. However not all have been done with a good quality gesso or good production standards. If you find a good canvas, stick with it. (Fredrix is my preferred brand) The fast drying thin acrylic is also used when a particular background color is desired. Acrylic paints may also be used however the thicker paint may cause some lose of desired roughness (tooth) and care should be taken not to leave a wavy/uneven surface. Acrylic house paint has been used but it does have a limited life. If you want your painting to last a long time use a good quality artist gesso. Mediums are (oil based) products used for thinning paints for easy application. For wet-on-wet painting (that's us) a thin specially formulated slow-drying base paint is put on the canvas first. While other methods require colors to be prepared on the palette wet-on-wet painters can apply, mix, change and/or remove colors right on the canvas. Mediums can also be used to thin thicker paints as needed. Final Note. Don't confuse Gesso with Mediums. They are two completely different things. And never, never use your oil painting brushes to apply gesso or any acrylic product. For gesso use a gesso brush or a foam applicator. Never use an oil painting brush. For acrylics use an acrylic brush or a foam applicator. Never use an oil painting brush.

BRUSHES

The simple strokes that make the wet-on-wet method so successful require specifically designed brushes and unique broad palette knives. Traditional oil painting brushes and knives will not give the coverage or style of stoke needed for this technique. To keep things simple start with the brushes that are available from the Bob Ross or Alexander Art companies. They are made for this technique.

CLEANING YOUR BRUSHES

When it comes to cleaning brushes I'll let Bob and Bill do the talking. Quoting from the Bob Ross books, "AVOID WASHING THE BRUSHES IN SOAP AND WATER. Clean your brushes with odorless thinner." The capital letters are thiers. Quoting from the Alexander Art books, "If you clean and dry your brushes thoroughly, they will give you many years of use. Never use soap and water to clean a brush."

CANVAS

A medium texture, cotton duck, double-primed artist's canvas is ideal. Portrait canvas is inappropriate because it is too smooth and doesn't "grab" the paint as well as a rougher surface. The manufacturer must have a quality application of gesso applied to the canvas. Usually noted on the label, gesso seals the canvas and prevents absorbtion which allows a medium to be applied. The medium is crucial to the wet-on-wet style of painting. If the canvas soaks up the medium your painting experience will be less than fun. Some artist prefer stretched canvas while others including myself, paint on canvas panels.

EASELS

A good portable easel, one that I use, is the Bob Ross Travel Easel.

For table use easels that "clamp" the painting are preferred. Here's a picture of an inexpensive 3 legged type that works well.

At home a sturdy floor easel is nice. I have a Bob Ross 2in1 and I like it.

PALETTE / PALETTE PAPER

This technique requires ample mixing space. Rule of thumb, the palette should be about the size of the painting. You can use an extra large palette or purchase palette paper. However a great substitute is freezer paper that is plastic coated on one side. Also known as "fish paper" it can be cut to a generous size.

Clean up is easy as you just roll it up and throw it away. An advantage of this white paper is the ability to judge color mixes. By scraping your paint on it's surface with a palette knife, you will see what it will look like on a white canvas. It can also be used to practice on. I have done complete paintings on freezer paper.

ODORLESS THINNER

It is important that you use artist odorless thinner. These are available where you buy art supplies. Do not use odorless products from hardware stores. Do not use the 'Turpenoid NATURAL' brand. Of course you'll need a container for the thinner. It should be large enough to clean the largest brush. To start with a 2# coffee can works well. Placing a screen in the bottom helps loosen paint and makes cleaning easier. The thinner may be used over and over. I pour the used thinner into a large container and let it settle. Most of the paint will go to the bottom. I then pour the clean thinner back into my brush cleaning container to be used again.

BEATER RACK

To get thinner out of a freshly cleaned brush a beater rack works okay. Place a Ross Beater Rack or something similar, in the bottom of a waste basket or beater box.

BEATER BOX

If you beat the brush against your easel as Bob Ross did, you will understand why the cameramen on Bob's show wore raincoats. A devoted waste basket or beater box will save some walls. Also, at the end of the painting session the thinner that has accumulated at the bottom of the box can be poured back into the thinner container and reused. A Steralite File Hanger plastic box works great. It has a lid and also serves to carry some supplies.

OTHER STUFF

Masking tape. Many uses. Paper towels. Bring a full roll. Baby wipes. The artist friend. Great for clean up. Ruler. Makes it easier to locate things on the canvas. Wood Dowel Rod. 1/2" x 24" to 30" long. Used as a hand rest. Multi-purpose tool. Handy dandy gadget with pliers, screw driver, knife etc.

CARRYING A WET CANVAS

The method we use is called wet-on-wet. We use extra thick paints and they dry slowly. At the end of class you will be taking home a completed painting that is still wet. Several methods are available for transporting a wet canvas.

This is my favorite. Carries 1 stretched canvas or panel. I have these in stock. ($18)

Quick and easy, these clips are available at most stores. Made to carry 2 stretched canvas the same size.

Available in wood or aluminum. Carry 1 or 2 canvas and they don't even have to be the same size.

Finally, you can always use a shallow box. Something similar to a sheet cake box will get the job done.