subject: A Brief Overview Of Artist Supplies [print this page] There are many different types of artist supplies. If you are interested in art, it is good to know the commonest supplies available and used by professional artists. The most common supplies are affordability priced due to their widespread production and distribution.
Acrylics, or acrylic paints, are extremely common and easy to find. Beginning and amateur artists find them easy to use. They also dry quickly which allows any beginner mistakes to covered up with ease. Acrylic paint is water based, which makes it easy to thin out. Professional and experienced artists use this to their advantage to create looks using layers of very thin semi-transparent paint. It is appropriate for most surfaces and can be textured with little effort, making it common among experimental artists.
Oil paint is the classical choice among painters. It is usually thinned with linseed oil. Being oil based instead of water based, it takes considerable time to dry. This quality is highly valued. It allows an artist to mix colors directly on the canvas. This permits a diverse array of effects and styles that are not easily achieved using any other kind of paint. It is fundamental to the look of the work of many classical painters.
The majority of painters use canvas as their surface. Most fine art paintings are on this material. Canvas is a kind of thick woven fabric. It is stretched taut on a frame or plate for use in painting. It is usually coated with a generous layer of primer that both protects the fibers and provides an excellent painting surface. Canvas has been preferred by artists for centuries. The standard canvas is pulled tight over a wooden frame and stapled firmly into place. A modern type of canvas popular for its lower price is stretched over a stiff paperboard and securely glued into place. Standard frames are considered preferable among art buyers and working artists.
Every artist working with paint needs a good set of brushes. Sable brushes are considered the professional standard. Some are made using another kind of hair or plastics. Sizes, shapes, and styles are quite diverse. A wide variety of brushes is desirable for artistic versatility.
Sculpting clay is the next most common art supply. The classic gray blocks of clay are the most easily and cheaply found. However, it can vary significantly in ingredients, softness, color, and feel. Some clay needs to be fire hardened in order to finish a sculpture. Choose a clay that suits your needs and art style. Other sculptors may be able to provide suggestions based on your technique and work.
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.
Art supplies stores, college shops, and online sites are the main places to purchase artist supplies. Craft stores once carried a wide variety of arts items, but have recently held limited art stocks. Due to the low volume, their prices can also be higher than other retailers. Purchasing for an art supply store or website is recommended.
