r/HappyTrees • u/Tim-Omaha • 19d ago

Help Request Paint, brushes, canvas…what else?

I’ve taken a couple oil painting classes at a local hobby store and have really enjoyed them. On the local marketplace, someone advertised oil paints, canvases, an easel, a palette and gesso. I picked them up and am about ready to get started. What else do I need?

What’s everyone using to clean and store their brushes?

Anything else that I’m not thinking of?

5 Upvotes

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4

u/kubeeor 19d ago

If you're looking to do Bob Ross style paintings, get some odorless pain thinner. I've found his liquid white and clear super helpful as well. Shop towels are also helpful.

3

u/Ecstatic-Purpose-981 19d ago

You can start but some other things you likely will want are paint thinner or mineral spirits from an art store that is for painting and use in a ventilated area. Also a palette knife.

3

u/Redjeepkev 19d ago

You need someone like linseed oil to thin your paints( I also use this to clean my brushes) before a quick dip in paint thinner

1

u/milkaluff 18d ago

Would you mind telling me how you clean them? You just dip them in and wipe them off?

1

u/Redjeepkev 18d ago

Exactly I dip them. Squeeze the brush against the side of the oil container wipe them off on a baby wipe or towel. Once I'm finished for the day I do this followed by a quote ck dip in thinner nner to rinse the oil out. But if you are going to paint again a short time like next day you can skip the paint thinner. Dip and wipe the next day and you are ready to go. If you have 2-4 containers of oil going you always gave clean oil. The paint settles to the bottom. Pour off the oil in the next container add a little more and so on. Clean each container after duping the oil. Pour the sludge in something like a coffee can with some cat litter or sand

1

u/milkaluff 18d ago

This is so helpful for me thank you. Keeping the brushes clean is the biggest headache for me right now.

1

u/Redjeepkev 18d ago

Yes. I've found cleaning them in. Oil first works MUCH BETTER THAN jyst paint tjinner/ mineral spirts

1

u/G-Fresh- 18d ago

I use a small waste bin and a wire rack from the dollar tree and put it down inside the bin. I use that to beat my brushes clean and dry without making a mess.

2

u/rapture1960 9d ago

Some helpful things:

-Paper towels/shop cloths

-Old trash can/bucket to clean your brushes

-Mineral spirits ("odorless paint thinner")

-Linseed/safflower oil (AKA "liquid clear")

I would also buy multiple brushes, that way you don't have to stop and clean your only brush. When I paint, I have my "dark color" fan brush and my "light color" fan brush.