Oil paint:

Palette

A permanent wood, plastic, or Masonite palette is preferable to a disposable wax paper palette. If you are buying in a new (wood or Masonite) palette, you will need raw linseed oil to rub down the surface before you start using it. 

Palette Knives

One drop handle palette knife. Do not buy straight handle knives or painting knives. 

Colors (minimun)

Titanium White, Cadmium Yellow, Cadmium Red, Ultramarine Blue (or Cobalt Blue Hue), Burnt Sienna, Ivory Black. 

Brushes

Filbert, or flat bristle brushes (hog’s hair for oil, synthetic for acrylics), 1 or 2 of each size, #2, #4, #8. You will also need a few smaller, soft haired round (sable or synthetic sable) brushes; #0, #1, #2. To clean your bristle brushes, rinse in odorless mineral spirits, then gently in soap and water. With any true sable brush, avoid odorless mineral spirits. Wipe down with a paper towel as best as you can, and then clean with Murphy’s Oil Soap, or Ivory soap. 

Canvas

Traditionally, oil paintings are executed on either rigid or flexible supports. Most common supports in modern times are flexible, and are usually made of canvas. The most common rigid supports are either wood or Masonite. For convenience, you may also use canvas boards. But please note that these materials handle very differently. Bring at least two supports in various sizes (I would not go smaller than 6” x 8” and no larger than around 12” x 16”).

Misc. Accessories Odorless mineral spirits

(artists quality, not from the hardware store -- Turpenoid is one brand)

Linseed Oil

2 palette cups with lids

#2 pencil

Paper towels or rags

A small piece of white or light gray mat board, with a small hole punched in the middle

If you are using ACRYLICS, use the oil painting list (above) for colors and brushes. Please note: there is no need for odorless mineral spirits. Also needed area small spray bottle, water container, and plastic palette.