Art Supplies I Use | christinepilkinton

Christy Pilkinton, Art Classes in Nashville, Portraits in Nashville

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Drawing Supplies

mechanical pencil

No special brand. I use .5 or .7 HB lead. Wonderful to draw lightly and small. You can layer and get nice darks.

Vine (Willow) thin sized charcoal

I like the looseness of vine charcoal. It is easy to erase and mass with. Keeps me from being so linear and helps me begin to think in a more painterly fashion early in the painting process.

Putty to erase with

This brand was recommended as archival and I like it

kneaded eraser

Does not shed and can be molded to fine point or large area to erase
Cleans up easily like silly putty

Charcoal Pencils

Can be sharpened and give you better control than the willow sticks. You can buy a similar drawing kit with white charcoal and extra tools.

Charcoal Drawing Set

You may find sets that include hard and soft pencils, white charcoal, eraser & sharpener.

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Sketchbook Journaling Supplies

Pastel Supplies

Small Spiral bound sketchbook

get heavyweight 140 lb or more cold pressed if you want to add watercolor

Watercolor Field Kit

Small box with portable brush makes adding color easy and convenient.

Watercolor Pencils

Any inexpensive set will work. The better sets will have more pigment. Derwent is a good set.

Charcoal Pencils

Can be sharpened and give you better control than the willow sticks. You can buy a similar drawing kit with white charcoal and extra tools.

Charcoal Drawing Set

You may find sets that include hard and soft pencils, white charcoal, eraser & sharpener.

Sakura Electric Eraser

A top of the line battery operated eraser.
Approx $35 but cheaper versions are available for about $8

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Canson Mi Tientes Paper

Comes in 19 x 25 sheets and tablets but the tablets don't seem to have as much tooth, (to hold layers of pastel) Also now comes on boards.

Canson Paper Tablet

Doesn't seem to hold as much pastel but is supposed to be the same as the large individual sheets. Seems to have less texture.

Ampersand Pastel bord

A new surface for me. I am using Ampersand hardboard with Zinsser Primer and marble dust with some success right now. No worries about tears, water, warping or creasing. I also use Masonite with the Zinsser Bulls Eye primer & marble dust

NuPastels by Prismacolor

Medium hard set, good starter set then add colors as you go. I begin with hard and add softer pastels toward the end as tooth begins to get filled. PLAZA Art in Nashville has sets and individual replacements in the store. Link below.

Sennelier 40 set

Nice vibrant colors that will adhere even when you have begun to fill the tooth. These have wonderful pigment but fill the tooth very quickly so work with care.

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Oil Painting Supplies

Kolinsky sables signature

These are the same as listed already but any good 0 or 00 round for signature. Not too long and good quality. A must for a good signature. Important part of your painting!!

Kolinsky sables from Rosemary & Co.

My favorite sizes are 1, 3, 6

Silver Brush Grand Prix

Natural Hogs hair and/or Synthetic for laying in large areas and backgrounds
Sizes 6, 8 and 10

Kolinsky Filberts from Rosemary

My favorite sizes are 3 and 6

Mongoose Masters Choice Long Flat

My favorite sizes are 2, 4, 6 and 8
Excellent for smoothing edges and working wet into wet!

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If I could ONLY BUY 5 Brushes...

This is the magic unicorn brush that Casey Baugh turned me on to. It is fabulous for working wet into wet and softening. Can't find anything like it here in U.S. Must order from Rosemary.	should be about 1/2 inch long to use as a good signature brush. These are easy to find.	Similar to a hog's hair bristle but not as aggressive and has a good spring. Other synthetic filberts may work. I like #4
Small and large. I also like tiny soft brushes that act as mops for softening detailed small areas. You can find these at area art stores, not necessary to order from Rosemary but theirs are nice!	I love this brush for details and working on portraits. Rosemary is the only place I have found this great quality.

Art Books I LOVE...

By Robert Henri LOVE the inspiration in this book.	Start with the simplest shapes and children's books are so perfect!!	by Juliette Aristides - I LOVE this book!! It is the graduate book for drawing. You will love it too! Also comes with an instructional DVD. Fabulous deal!!
So inspirational!!! You must read...it is a 15 minute read!!		I have found some of the illustrations from this book to be very helpful!!

I often have requests for suggested supplies. Here are a few that I have tried & found to be sound & of good quality. Some have links to order.

Plaza Art in Nashville has most of my supplies & will match competitors.

Click on SHOW MORE to see full list of supplies in each section.

Also see tips with each product!