Beginner’s Guide to Acrylic Painting Supplies
When I first started painting “for real” I already owned quite a few miscellaneous paints and brushes. Arts and crafts with kiddos took care of that. What that also meant was that in that pile there were a couple of diamonds, but mostly lower quality supplies. The more I painted, the more I learned about how acrylic paint works and how to get the best bang for my buck.
DISCLAIMER: All product links in this blog posts are my affiliate links to Amazon. Purchasing from those links won’t cost you anything but will pay me a small amount for referring you to the product.
As Paint with Luba grows, I get more of the same question. What do I get if I had never painted before. With you in mind, I created this list. I teach color mixing in the step-by-step video lessons in the group mentioned above and also on my YouTube Channel. My goal is to transition to only using the colors below to make it easier for you to follow the lessons. I might add metallics or some paint colors that are super hard to mix on the go now and then, but most of my lessons will have the colors listed below starting January, 2022.
Along with paints and brushes, you will need a table cover (I use old cereal boxes, cheap plastic table cloths, anything works really), rinsing jar ( I use a cube shaped flower vase, it’s stable and heavy enough for a clumsy me to not tip it over), paper towels and my personal favorite unscented baby wipes. Having good lighting is crucial as well as having a comfortable chair. These things may already be in your disposal, but I will add my ring light to the list below. Just in case.
This list will be updated on the as needed basis, feel free to come back and check it out. Also, if you need a recommendation or my opinion about some particular item, leave the comment below and I’ll get back to you.
Acrylic Paints
This is the list of paints that I use the most and find to be most versatile for my lessons and creative adventures.
DecoArt DEC65.01 Americana Acrylics 16oz Snow White
DecoArt DA067-9 Americana Acrylics, 8-Ounce, Lamp (Ebony) Black
Liquitex 1046151 BASICS Acrylic Paint, 4-oz tube, Cadmium Red Medium Hue
Liquitex BASICS Acrylic Paint, 4-oz tube, Quinacridone Magenta
Liquitex BASICS Acrylic Paint, 4-oz tube, Ultramarine Blue
Golden Heavy Body Acrylic 2 oz Tube – Phthalo Blue (Green Shade)
Paint Brushes
This set is a bit more expensive option, but I include it here because it was my first set that I used for EVERYTHING!
The next set is a good brand, I have their Filbert set and have been using it for quite a while too. It has all the brushes a beginner might need to get going.
Here is the set of palette knives I’ve been using.
Painting Surface
I absolutely love my Strathmore Visual Journal which is essentially a mixed media pad. It has paper that is heavy enough to hold a few coats of acrylics and it saves me room in the studio. I ran out of wall space for canvases, haha!
Strathmore 460-19 500 Series Visual Mixed Media Journal, Vellum, 9″x12″, White, 34 Sheets
In my videos, I use this one. It helps me paint on a larger scale and slow down a bit for the video.
Posca Pens and Gel pens
Sometimes I need a nice well defined line that can be tricky to achieve with a paintbrush. Sometimes I just want to add fine details. Sometimes I need white highlights on my watercolor or journaling page. These items are my favorites and I ‘ve used them for years.
Uni-posca PC-5M Paint Marker Pen – Medium Point – Set of 15
SAKURA Gelly Roll Classic Gel Pens, Opaque White Ink, Ass’t Tips 05/08/10, 6 PK 57461
Posca Acrylic Paint Marker, Extra Fine, White
Image Transfer
I really do prefer graphite transfer paper to any other method. Sometimes, though, it makes sense to just use some chalk. I couldn’t find the link to 18″ by 24″ graphite paper, I will update this post once I do. This one is the same brand, just a regular printer paper size -ish
This is the seamstress chalk you see me using all the time. In fact, I have two sets. One pencil has white and the other has blue for lighter backgrounds 🙂
Dritz 3095 Chalk Cartridge Set
Lighting
This is the ring light I am using when shooting videos and when I’m creating at my desk. This is NOT a cheap update, it might make sense to wait and see if you’ll stick with painting and IF you actually really need it. I don’t get much natural light in my studio and I mostly get to paint at night, so it makes sense to me to have purchased one. There are also smaller and cheaper versions, do your research and get what you like.
You are absolutely welcome to use any supplies that you already have and love. This list is a suggestion. I hope it will make your life easier and painting a lot more pleasant experience. Every purchase from my affiliate links with no cost to you helps me with my supplies to keep offering free painting lessons.
As always, feel free to comment below should you have any questions. I love hearing from you!