Guide To Essential Art Supplies

Palette And Easel

Finally, you need a palette and easel if you are going to be painting. The ideal palette, especially for oil paints, is a flat piece of oiled wood. There are palettes designed for both left-handed and right-handed users, and you can tell which is which according to where the thumb hole is placed. Take your time choosing the right palette, as you want to be comfortable holding it for hours at a time. Test palettes by inserting your thumb in the hole, curling your fingers to rest around their notch, and rest the palette itself on your forearm. You need the right size, as a palette that is too small will not give you little room to blend colors, while one that is too large can wear you out more quickly because of its weight.

An easel is another must-have. Thankfully, you have choices here as well. Studio easels take up a significant amount of space, though you can have desktop or tabletop easels for confined spaces. You may even choose an outdoor easel!