Brushes

My brush of choice is Robert Simmons Titanium.  I have some experience with Robert Simmons brushes as I've used their Sapphire brushes for watercolor painting.  I found the RS brushes have a lot of spring and keep their shape.

When I started out using WMOs paints, I used inexpensive brushes that I found in the clearance section of my local AC Moore store.  Majority of them were $1 each.  It was a "temporary fix" to figure out if I could paint with oils.

One of the key points that I learned early on from my watercolor mentor:  in order to paint well, you have to use good brushes and paints.  I've done plenty of research on the Internet and came across some recommended sable and mongoose synthetic brands as well as the RS Titanium brushes.  I wanted a good synthetic type brush that had some spring to it, not too stiff, and held up well when soaked with water (e.g. washing with soap and water).  The RS Titanium became my first choice.

My local Michael's store carries the RS Titanium brushes.  I used my coupons to purchase the first two basic brushes (filbert and flat) and I gave them a try.  I was hooked.  I bought a set from Jerry's when they had a weekend brush sale back in December.  Since then, I've slowly added to my collection by using Michael's & AC Moore's 50% coupons (Yes! I can use competitor's coupons between Michael's and AC Moore...what a deal!) and also checking Jerry's site for a brush sales.

A few of my RS brushes from my collection

My favorite type of brushes to use are filberts.  It produces great coverage when I need it and I find I have greater control with this brush type when I need to paint edges.  For more paint coverage, my next favorite is a flat or wash type brush.  I am still undecided about the round type brushes.  While that was my predominant brush of choice for watercolors, I don't find them useful with my current painting style.  I'm sure when I branch out to landscape paintings they will be useful.

Water Miscible Oil Paints (WMOs)

When the thought of painting with oils popped into my head, I knew this would be an interesting adventure for me.  I had visited a studio in Old Town and watched several artists painting with oils.  I was intrigued, captured, and just in awe of their masterpieces.  I noticed there were various levels of skills.  A few artists invited me closer to inspect their work of art and told me their stories.  They invited me to sign up for the classes/workshops (waiting list).  At that point, I felt like I was surrounded by an extended family.  That was a wonderful experience for me.

If I was to get into oil painting, I knew there would be some "issues" to deal with.  I've heard about mediums or thinners that have strong odors and could potentially be a fire hazard (e.g. using rags for clean up).  My designated studio area is part of the living area in our house and it would be hard to ventilate/open windows in the middle of winter.

I did some research over the Internet and came up with a solution...Water Miscible Oils or WMOs.  Also known as Water Mixable Oils.  I won't be going into details about the chemical makeup of these oils, but I do want to mention that these oils are great to paint with and also easy to clean up.  WMOs are made from modified binders and with the resulting formula there is no need to use turpentine or mineral spirits.  They say you can mix water with these oil paints, but I prefer not to.  Instead I use the modified Linseed oil or Thinner from the same manufacturer for the WMOs.  No harmful fumes to deal with.  The WMOs handles and paints just like traditional oil paints.

I am currently using Winsor and Newton's Artisan WMOs.  Some artists say these are student grade paints while others consider them to be close to artist grade.  I've seen reference to being economically priced...which they are.  I bought a set of these at Michael's to try out.  Thank goodness for coupons.  The set came with basic colors.  I've learned to use the three primary colors (red, blue, and yellow) and then mix them to create the other colors.  I also purchased the Artisan Thinner.  I'm glad I did.  I have found certain colors to be quite stiff right out of the tubes.  Mixing the stiff paint with a bit of thinner creates a creamier mixture.

The Artisan paint colors that are stiff out of the tubes are:  Titanium white, Zinc white, and Lemon Yellow.  Typically when I mix another color that is creamy with the stiff paint, the mixture becomes creamy as well.

They dry to the touch within 2 to 12 days depending on the colors used.

As I mentioned before, clean up is really easy.  I use Palmolive Clear dishwashing soap to clean my brushes and my acrylic palette and rinse with warm water.

My well used W&N Artisan WMOs come in 40 colors (England)

Another brand of WMO is Cobra by Royal Talens, recently introduced in 2010.  I purchased a set on sale.  I've heard these are artist grade paints and are consistently creamy out of the tubes.  They are probably in the mid-range as far as price.  

Cobra by Royal Talens in 70 colors (Dutch)

Here is the most expensive WMOs...Holbien Duo Aqua Oils.  To my surprise, I found these at my local art shop.  I first saw them online and have found many artists love using the Holbiens.  They are considered artist/professional grade paints with high pigment content.  Out of the tube, I've read they are buttery and consistent.  They dry in about 24 hours.  I really believe that depends on the colors used and if mixed with modified linseed oil.  I think it would dry a bit longer than advertised.  I couldn't resist picking up a few tubes to try.  It doesn't hurt to try, right?

Holbien Duo Aqua Oils available in 80 colors (Japan)

Now, for the not so expensive paints, I present Lukas Berlin.  Dries to touch in 2 to 4 days.  I've heard mixed reviews as to whether they are student or artist grade paints.  They have a buttery texture consistently out of the tube.  For the price, I have to give them a try.  As far as availability, I've found these at Jerry's Artarama.

Lukas Berlin WMOs available in 30 colors (Germany)

I will be updating this post from time to time as I start to use these brands of WMOs and provide comments, likes, dislikes, and recommendations.

Ordered Lots of Supplies

Jerry's Artarama was having a special this past weekend.  I took advantage of the additional discounts on paint supplies and ordered brushes, oil paints, and tools.  The savings was close to 50-60% off retail.  I couldn't resist.  It wasn't too hard to meet the minimum $ requirement for free shipping.  My cart filled up quickly.

As far as brushes, my favorite to use with the WMO paints is Robert Simmons Titanium.  The brushes have a lot of spring and keeps it shape/point.  I ended up getting some filberts, flats, flat shaders, rounds, and a glaze and a broad brush.  My favorite brush type to paint with are filberts and my least favorites are rounds.  To me, the filbert is a cross between a round and a flat brush.  Best of both worlds.

I ordered another brand of WMO called Lukas Berlins.  Their prices are really reasonable and I've heard their pigments are pretty good and somewhat creamy right out the tube.  I couldn't beat the under $3 a tube (37ml) price.  I ordered some colors that I didn't already have.  As with the other brands, I have also purchased the Lukas WMO Linseed Oil medium to complement the new oils I ordered.  Lukas was having a special.  Purchase four Lukas Berlin WMO paints and receive a free tube of White Titanium.  Jerry's is sending me three free tubes of White Titanium!

I ordered a paint crate to use as a backup as well as to use in another painting area of my house.

I also threw in two stainless steel palette knives to use with my glass palette for future use.  I also ordered a package of gray plastic palette knives to use with my acrylic palette.  Looking forward to trying them out.

I placed the order on Sunday afternoon.  I just received a notice from Jerry's that they shipped my package today and UPS will be delivering my supplies late tomorrow.  Not bad for free shipping!  I'm sure I would have received my package sooner if my order didn't include 34 items!  Yikes!

Happy Painting!