Studio Materials
Here are some links to help guide you through this enormous online art supply store.
I've also included some notes to highlight a few of my favorite things, from each category, to have in my studio!
SCULPTURE
Proportional Scale A nifty tool to have on hand for quick and accurate measurement conversions.
Prima Plastilina A high quality sulphur free version of Roma Plastilina. While I do not personally use this clay, it is an excellent choice for sculptors wanting to start using a non-hardening, oil-based clay. For anyone interested in the Jolly King Plastilene clay that we use, it can be ordered directly from Sculpture House.
Boxwood sculpting tools The set of 72 is overkill. . .go for the 6" set of ten. These are nice for sculpting manes and tails with epoxy as well, just be sure to clean them well before the epoxy cures!
Thin Line Sculpting Tools I have these and use them CONSTANTLY! Fantastic for teensy detail work and those hard to reach places.
Stainless Steel Minarettes I have these in the old carbon steel form and I love them. They have SO many uses!
Single End Tools These are nifty because they have a wire loop at one end and a nice boxwood tool on the other. . .saves time searching the sculpting stand for the right tool. If you get these, opt for the wire loops and *not* the wire ribbons. The ribbons just aren't as nice to work with as they tend to give a very harsh line.
Wire End Tool Set These are good standard sculpting tools. Perfect for removing large amounts of clay in those beginning stages. Try putting notches (with a file) along the sculpting edge of one of these for extra oomph in roughing in basic shapes.
Sculpting Stand I am so dependant on this stand that I actually have two of them. One for sculpting and one for painting (airbrush.) This is an absolute "must have" for anyone who is getting serious about sculpting.
ACRYLIC PAINT and AIRBRUSHING
Badger 150 Double Action Airbrush This is a real workhorse of an airbrush. I use it more often than my others.
Badger 155 "Anthem" Double Action Airbrush I have an older version of the Anthem which I like quite a bit. . .but this version looks A LOT nicer.
Iwata Eclipse Airbrush A bit tempermental to work with at times but it's hard to beat for control and ultra fine work.
Liquitex Soft Body Acrylics These used to be called medium viscosity acrylics. They are fantastic for running through an airbrush as well as hand painting fine detail work with a brush. Choose a high quality airbrush medium for thinning rather than plain water alone. I like the Liquitex airbrush medium. Here are some of the staple colours in my painting box. As with all things, everyone will develop their own preferences with experimentation, never be afraid to try something new!
Burnt Sienna - Burnt Umber - Light Portrait Pink - Ivory Black - Iridescent Stainless Steel - Iridescent Rich Bronze - Iridescent Pearlescent White - Payne's Gray - Iridescent Copper - Raw Sienna - Soft White - Taupe - Titanium White - Unbleached Titanium - Yellow Oxide
Liquitex High Gloss Varnish Good stuff. . .a nice, durable, non-yellowing, gloss finish for eyes, hooves and all other wet parts. Caution: Not made for use over oil paints!
Miniature Brushes I take *horrible* care of my brushes so I usually restrict myself to whatever is cheapest at Michael's. . .*however* I have splurged on a few higher quality miniature brushes recently and they are worth the extra money. Cheap brushes don't have the fine points and clean edges that really are important in doing good detail work.
OIL PAINTING
I have done absolutely no oil painting so I am not going to even begin to offer advice here. Plenty of paint here to choose from though!
PASTELS
Sennelier Pastels Pretty much the BEST soft pastels available. . .High pigment concentration with minimal binders.
Schmincke Soft Pastels Also one of the very best. Nuff said.
Koh-I-Noor Gioconda Soft Pastel Pencils Great for detail work where you want something softer than conventional coloured pencils. Bonus: You don't get pastel dust all over your hands.
COLOURED PENCILS
Again. . .I have no clue about coloured pencils, so I'm not going to pretend I have an opinion. I know they're popular with a lot of artists, so finding someone to ask about it shouldn't take too long!
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