Materials Guide

Whether you're completely new to art or already enjoy painting, you don't need to spend a fortune on materials to take part in this course! If you already have art supplies at home, please bring and use them.

 

You can start with just 8 colours and gradually build your supplies over time. The suggestions below are a guide, and it is always worth shopping around for the best prices, as online art stores often have special offers. Art materials are also available locally from Broad Canvas in Oxford and Hobbycraft in Botley.

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Essentials:

• A4 sketchbook

• A3 Mixed Media paper

• HB, 2B, 4B & 6B pencils

• Kneadable eraser and quality sharpener​​

• A selection of small medium and round and flat brushes

• Large palette for mixing colours / stay wet pallete (a white ceramic plate works perfectly)

• Low - tack masking tape

• Apron or old shirt

• 2x water containers (e.g., an old jam jars)

• Kitchen roll or an old cloth

• A wipe-clean tablecloth or protective covering such as newspaper for your table space

• A3 painting board (optional but useful)

• A small spray bottle for water – particularly useful for acrylics and gouache to keep paint workable. (optional)

• The core colours you will need: Lemon yellow, Cadium yellow, Ultramarine blue, Phthalo blue, Cadium red, Crimson red, Titanium white, Payne's grey / Process Black, Sap green (Optional)

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Budget paint kit

A good beginner's kit is all you need to get started. Affordable materials can produce wonderful results. If you shop around a beginners kit can be put together for approx. £50–£65, depending on what you already own.

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Acrylic:

- Hobbycraft own brand (Store in Oxford, Botley)

- Cassart own brand (Online store)

- Meeden (Online store)

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Watercolour:

- Winsor & Newton Cotman Sketchers' (12 colours is a great starting point)

- Daler-Rowney Aquafine Mini Travel Set

- Any Watercolour paper (300gsm if possible)

(All the above maybe available in Hobbycraft Botley / Broadcanvas Oxford / Online shops)

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Gouache:

Basic gouache tubes set (10-12 colours):

- Hobbycraft own brand (Store in Oxford, Botley)

- Cassart own brand (Online store)

- Meeden / Castle Art (Online store)

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Professional paint kit

If you paint regularly or would like to invest in higher-quality materials, professional ranges offer richer pigments, smoother application and excellent longevity.

 

Acrylic:

- Daler-Rowney System3 (Hobbycraft Oxford, Botley / BroadCanvas Oxford / Online store)

- Cassart own brand (Online store)

- Meeden (Online store)

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Watercolour:

- Winsor & Newton Professional Water Colour 

- Derwent Water Colour Paint Pans 

- 300gsm cold-pressed watercolour paper 

- Good-quality round watercolour brushes (sizes 4, 8 and 12 are useful)

- Ceramic mixing palette

(All the above maybe available in Hobbycraft Botley / Broadcanvas Oxford / Online shops)

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Gouache:

- Winsor & Newton Designers' Gouache

- Holbein Artists' Gouache

- Schmincke Horadam Gouache

(All the above maybe available in Hobbycraft Botley / Broadcanvas Oxford / Online shops)

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A Final Note!​

Please don't feel that you need expensive art materials to create beautiful artwork. Creativity comes from observation, practice and experimentation, not from the price of your supplies.

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Bring what you already have, enjoy the process, and build your collection over time. My aim is for everyone to feel welcome, whether you're picking up a paintbrush for the very first time or continuing your passion for art.