My Favorite Things Part One

Many of you have asked about what type of video and tech tools I use most often when recording my classes along with what are some of my must-have tools in the studio. So, I thought I’d do a recap of what I’m loving currently in case you were in the market for any of these gems.

With the exception of one of these items, I use them all regularly and would highly recommend them. The only item I don’t use currently is the easel I’m showcasing first on this list, but it is on my wish list. Actually, that’s not true, it’s on its way to me as we speak!!!

I can’t wait to get it all set up in my studio!

Thank you Christmas cash :)

**Note-purchases made from the recommendations may result in a small commission from my affiliate partners. This will not add any extra charge to you and is a way you can support my art business and this blog.

Let’s start off with the one piece of equipment that I don’t have but am looking forward to receiving. I chose to order this easel because the price was more than fair, the reviews were positive and it holds large canvases both vertically and flat. FLAT was my goal as I have limited space and often work on multiple pieces at a time. My table is not always cleared off when I might need to work on a large piece in a flat position. I can’t work on the floor anymore because of my hip and back issues so what’s a girl to do???

• Order an H-easel to solve those problems, that’s what!

• 8 Oz Food storage containers to mix your own paint colors.

• Silicone Shaper Tools

I still love my catalyst wedge #6 to add large expanses of paint onto the canvas without using a brush but my second favorite grouping of tools to do the same thing (but in various sizes) are these awesome silicone shaper tools.

You can buy the shapers individually or as a 3 - 4-set package. I chose this bundle because it includes the larger shaper brush which I find I use most often.

• Assorted Mediums

I mentioned previously that I have really come to enjoy creating my own color mixtures of paint as well as playing around with the viscosity (thinness or thickness) of paints, so you might be wondering what I have been using to create the mixtures. In addition to glazing medium, matte medium, and gel medium; my newest additions to the medium collection are the following.

Each serves a slightly different purpose. Read on for more info:

• Spray Varnish

My last entry for Part One of this list is not a medium, but it is a finisher. That’s loosely translated into a “Varnish”. I do use a brush on varnish for my larger paintings, not my smaller ones. BUT, I do use a Matte Aerosol varnish for all of my paintings.

Why is that? If you like to use water-soluble products such as charcoal, Neo Color II crayons, chalk pastels, colored pencils, Inktense pencils, Stabilo pencils, etc., then you need a product that will set those drawing mediums so that they do not smear or come off in any way from your final painting. If you add a brush on varnish without ‘fixing’ these products, then you will have a mess and likely ruin your work. Trust me, I have done it before.

I usually put 2 coats of Aerosol varnish on all of my pieces to ensure they are properly set. While there are several brands on the market, I mostly use either Liquitex, Winsor Newton, or Golden. Winsor Newton may be changing packaging because it’s often sold out when I go to order. Golden’s spray varnish has gone up substantially in price so my recommendation is to go with Liquitex varnish as it works just as well and it has the wide dispersion cap that I feel is best for this type of application.

Be sure to stop back for Part 2 of my 2022 Favorite Things List coming soon!

Before you go, don’t forget to take advantage of my special offers currently going on in my shop & online class site.

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