About the Course

Robert J. Simone Materials List

This is a 2-day studio painting course. We will have a lot of fun exploring the principles and techniques for mastering convincing light and vibrant color. Students are encouraged to bring photo references of whatever Florida subject matter they prefer. I suggest focusing the camera on sunsets, sunlit clouds or anything with an interesting pattern of light and shadow. I will have a variety of photo references available if you have none. I suggest working from a tablet or laptop if possible

Painting Grounds

I suggest bringing a few sizes and formats so that you will have options when deciding on your subject and composition.You can paint one larger painting over 2 days or a couple of smaller ones. I use Centurion OP DLX Linen Panels or Classen’s C13DPLandscape Painting Linen mounted on gator foam. Acrylic painters should use open acrylics and work on acrylic primed surfaces. Centurion makes an acrylic primed panel,too. The Centurion panels are very reasonable and readily available online at Jerry’s Artarama or on Amazon.

Paints

 

Paint + Solvent

 

Brushes + Painting Knife

 

Specialty Tools

 

Miscellaneous

At the very least I suggest you use a warm and cool of each primary. Any brand you choose except for Winton. Winton is a student grade paint that has relatively low in pigment and mixing strength. I think you will do better with an artist grade paint. I use a combination of Williamsburg, Winsor Newton, Rembrandt and Gamblin brand oil colors. My palette is as follows:

  • Ultramarine Blue (Williamsburg)

  • Sevres Blue (Williamsburg)

  • Magenta(Winsor Newton)

  • Viridian (Rembrandt)

  • Alizarin Crimson (Winsor Newton)

  • Scarlet Red (Winsor Newton) This is the same as Cad Red Light in other brands.

  • Alizarin Orange (Williamsburg)

  • Cadmium Yellow (WN) Other brands of Cad Yellow are not as orange as WN. If using another brand choose Cad Yellow Medium

  • Cadmium Lemon (WN)

  • Raw Umber(WN)•Burnt Sienna (WN)

  • Yellow Ochre Pale (WN)

  • Titanium-Zinc White (Williamsburg)

  • Ivory Black (WN)

  • Portland Grey Cool, Portland Grey Warm. Portland Grey Medium (Gamblin; these are convenience colors only. Not essential)

Painting medium such as Solvent Free Gel from Gamblin or Liquin is fine. I also like Italian Wax Medium by Old Masters. I should mention that I have medium on hand when I paint but I rarely use it. I like paint straight out of the tube best.

Gamsol Odorless Mineral Spirits (OMS). This is primarily used for blocking in and cleaning brushes. I do not use it in the painting process except in initial washes. No Turpentine or Turpenoid please.

Using brushes that are too small or using stubby worn-outbrushes is the downfall of most student painters. Please consider acquiring an assortment of good brushes. I suggest long flats sizes 2,4,6, 8, 12. At least two of each. Natural or synthetic.

I strongly recommend Rosemary brand brushes. I typically use the following sizes. (#12 Ivory Series Long Flat, #8 Bravura Series Long Flats, #6Bravura Series Long Flats,#2 Ivory Series Long Flat, #2 Ivory Series Egbert, #4 Master’s Choice 278 Longer Filbert,#10 Master’s Choice 278 Longer Filbert.

You will need at least one painting (or palette) knife. Knives are not just for mixing but also for applying paint.So, I suggest a medium sized, tear drop shaped metal knife with a wood handle. There are a variety of brands. I use Creative Mark #T19. I strongly discourage the use of plastic palette knives. They just aren’t that functional.

I use a variety of special tools such as hardware store paint scrapers, rubber spatulas, razor blades, q-tips, sponges, spatcher blades, paint shapers and rubber wedges. You don’t have to purchase any of these unless you want to. I will let you experiment with mine.

  • 8oz. or 20 oz. Brush Washer: This is a stainless steel, sealable, leak proof jar designed for Mineral Spirits. It has a stainless-steel screen in the cup for cleaning brushes. Or other suitable container such as a jar with a lid.

  • Viva half size papertowels

  • Johnson & Johnson hand lotion (good for cleaning oil paint off of your hands)

  • Johnson & Johnson Q-tips

  • Small purse size package of Kleenex tissues