OIL Supply List: 

PAINTS: Windsor Newton Artist Oil Colors
One 1.25 oz. tube 

Manganese Blue Hue

French Ultra-Marine Blue
Yellow Ochre Light or Yellow Ochre Pale

Cadmium Yellow Light
Permanent Rose or Alizarin Crimson

Cadmium Red Light
One Large tube or multiple small tubes
Titanium White 

Optional: Burnt Siena 

BRANDS

After Windsor Newton Artist Oil Colors, my second favorite OIL brand is Gamblin. Do not get the WINTON brand. (Not very potent). MY favorite WATER BASE OIL is Cobra H2O Water Mixable Oils. 

SOLVENTS FOR OILS

For U.S. Class - Bring your favorite odorless solvent. I use Gamsol or Mona Lisa Solvent. For Italy Class - Solvent will be supplied for you. 

BRUSHES & TOOLS:

3-4 Bristle Brushes in Bright or Filbert Shape 
Robert Simons Signet Brand  Sizes: # 4,6,8,10
Any brand 2-3 Soft Synthetic Brushes, Bright Shape   
Any brand 1 Soft Synthetic Brush, Slanted Shape
1 Palette knife- long narrow rounded 
1 Silicon shaper (they come in sets, but bring 1) 
1 small bottle with a lid for mineral spirits

1 or 2  smallish clip on metal jars for spirits 

2 -4 small bulldog clips or clothespins

2 Small bungee cord (s)

Trash bags

To Buy In Italy: Paper towels 

Extras For Italy Class: I like to bring a tiny bit of duct tape, 1 piece of sandpaper, a few cable ties, 2 small bulldog clips. All great in case of repairs needed on your easel. 

CANVAS PANELS (any style you like) 

Raymar Feather Light 

CanvasPanels.com Claussen's #13 2x oil primed linen
Amazon Centurion All Media Primed Panels 

HOW MANY PANELS?
Bring Extra. The smaller the better. My favorite is 6x8 inches. Bring any size you like 8x10 inches or under.

For U.S. One Day Class - 6 small panels. Yes, bring 6 please! 

For Italy One Week Class - 2-3 small panels PER DAY. 

WET PAINTING CARRIER

Wet Painting Carrier by Raymar

EASEL

Any small travel easel you like.  

Lightweight Plein Air Sketch Easel by Silver Lock Designs/ Etsy.   Comes with a very light tripod. Test result: I love it. It's 2lbs.  It's been on 3 trips now and has held up well. $150. 

MEEDEN Plein Air Easel/ Amazon Adjustable Travel Watercolor Easel Stand. Can be used for oils or acrylics. I have 2 friends who have used this an liked it. $65

 
IMPORTANT
Once we are at the workshop, please be able to carry all of your painting equipment in ONE rolling bag.  Please test your travel easel (if it’s new) before you arrive so that you have everything you need.  

AIR TRAVEL: CARRY-ON OR CHECK PAINTS? 
Either is ok. I've done it both ways. If I'm carrying on my paints: I put my paint tubes & my liquid cosmetics in two separate regular quart-size baggies and show them to the security people. I tape my pallet knife to my easel so it can been seen. My tripod fits in my suitcase.  I have carried on paint for years and never had a problem. Lately I have checked my paints, no problem there either. Do not bring solvent to Italy. I will supply the solvent. 

I always carry on on one bag with my essentials; prescriptions, eyeglasses, some clothing.  I pack passport copies & ticket printouts in each bag along with my destination and contact info placed prominently in my bags. Recently I started adding air tags to my bags, just in case.

SKETCHING SUPPLY LIST 

1 black fine-tip sharpie 
1 Watercolor Small Sketchbook - Handbook Journal Company
3.5 x 5.5 inch size or, any size you like
A tiny watercolor set w/ a squeezable water color brush. 

There are tons of tiny watercolor sets on Amazon. You can get them already loaded with cake watercolors or order one that you squeeze the liquid tubed watercolors into. When I use the tubed watercolors, I use Windsor Newton Brand.

Note: I work mainly in oil and acrylic but I find  it very pleasing and extremely helpful in my oil & acrylic painting practice to make a sharpie sketch on paper before I start painting and often, I use watercolor washes on those sketches. I wish I had started my career doing these sketches. And I enjoy taking this tiny watercolor set along in my purse when I’m in an airport, riding in a car, or a café, so I can work on ideas for paintings and for pleasure and practice in drawing. 

MY SUITCASES
I travel light. My regular suitcase sizes: One 13x18 inch rolling spinner bag + One 14x18 inch rolling spinner bag. They stack. I check one and carry on the smaller one with my purse. ROLLING BAGS ONLY:  Please do not travel with shoulder bags that do not have wheels. Watch the video below to see what's in my bags. 

CLOTHING FOR ITALY TRIP

Light layered clothing. 2 pairs of good walking or sports shoes (I love my Tevas), socks, T-shirts, a sweater, a jacket, shawl, and a painting hat. Bring casual comfortable clothes for painting and touring.  I do not bring a lot of dressy clothes to Italy because I don't like carrying big suitcases.  

If you have any questions or are curious about any of these items, please contact me or schedule a studio visit. 

843-754-0494

Karen

Updated 11/17/25 (khh)