Lori McNee Painting Workshop Supply List
The following information in Lori McNee Painting Workshop Supply List will help make your painting and travel experience more enjoyable.
Thank you for being a participant in one of my painting workshops!
This is a comprehensive list. Beginners and novice painters will find this list helpful however, it may seem a bit overwhelming! Remember, you don’t need every item on this list. Advanced painters can bring supplies of their own choosing.
Read through this material and plan ahead! Order supplies ahead of time and practice with them!
I am looking forward to our upcoming painting adventure! ~Lori
BASIC TIPS
Pack as lightly and portable as possible. You will be happier when navigating airports, trains, and buses! Plus, most likely we will have to carry our gear in search of the perfect painting spot!
For workshops abroad, it’s best to streamline your art supplies down to the utmost essentials. Your plein air easel/pochade box, tripod, and supplies should fit into one bag, roller bag, or backpack. Most of the vendors below sell backpacks and other travel bags. (Some workshops provide easels, check with Lori).
- Do not fly with solvents or flammables.
- Check your palette knives, paints, and any liquids with your luggage or
- TSA will confiscate them.
- Carry on your empty easel/box, and brushes if you are concerned for their
safety.
Here is a helpful article I wrote: How to Pack for Painting https://lorimcnee.com/how-to-pack-for-painting-tips/(the article is old, but there are some great tips!)
For plein air painting, dress in layers to adjust as the weather changes. Wear black, gray, or neutral-colored clothing – long sleeves and pants. Be ready for sun or rain. (Although in Africa, bugs are attracted to black clothing!)
Wear comfortable shoes.
SUPPLIES
PORTABLE EASEL:
Please bring a sturdy field easel or pochade box with a tripod. Choosing the perfect set-up is a personal choice. Check out the websites and educate yourself. If you need help deciding, I am happy to advise!
Please email me at lori@lorimcnee.com.
I have tested all the easels/boxes below. This list has a variety of price points, and pros and cons, but all are quality boxes. If ordering directly from the maker, please let them know Lori McNee sent you!
The all-in-one easels do not need a tripod, but the other set-ups require a tripod. You can usually purchase a tripod from the pochade box vendor. Make sure the tripod fits your easel!! If you choose a ball-mount pochade box, don’t forget a corresponding quick-release plate!
*Test out your new set-up well before the workshop.
All-in-one Field Easels:
- French Easels https://amzn.to/2HnK4F9 (not good for airplane travel)
- Soltek Easel http://www.soltekarts.com/ (not good for airplane travel)
- Watercolor Easel: https://amzn.to/3uQr0q7 (good for watercolor/gouache
airplane travel)
Palette and Panel Holder Easels: (need a tripod)
- Coulter Easel http://artboxandpanel.com/
- Daytripper Easel http://www.joshuabeen.com/merchandise/portablepainting/day-tripper-easel
Pochade Boxes: (need a tripod)
- U.Go Pochade Box by New Wave https://amzn.to/36Mf3tM
- Artwork Essentials http://www.artworkessentials.com/
- Sienna Plein Air https://amzn.to/3J7VWHw
- Open Box M http://www.openboxm.com
- Strada Easels https://www.stradaeasel.com/
- Soho Urban Artist Scout https://amzn.to/3uTxzYY (inexpensive – good for
oil or gouache.
Or you can make your own pochade box just like Monet did! http://www.finearttips.com/2009/05/build-a-pochade-box/
Here’s a helpful post about choosing a tripod: http://www.thomaskitts.com/2013/12/tripods-for-plein-air-painter.html
The easel/pochade box list above all includes palette mixing areas. Some are wood and some are Plexiglas. I suggest treating a new wood palette with linseed oil. Do not use disposable palette pages. If you prefer using a handheld palette, I like New Wave palettes. Here’s my review http://www.finearttips.com/2012/11/the-plein-air-artist-palette-by-new-wave/
PAINTS:
Traditional oil, water-mixable oil, acrylic, and watercolor/gouache paints are welcome at my workshops and retreats. However, I will be painting and demoing with oils (water-mixable and/or gouache).
For overseas workshops and retreats, I suggest using a limited palette of only 5 or 6 paint colors – especially when painting with oils or acrylics. You can mix your own greens, oranges, etc. A limited palette assures a more harmonious painting!
*Paints and palette knives must travel in your CHECKED LUGGAGE.
Lori’s Limited Palette:
- Titanium White
- Cadmium Yellow Lemon or Light
- Cadmium Red Light
- Madder Lake or Alizarin Crimson
- Ultramarine Blue
- Viridian or Permanent Green
Lori’s Extended Palette: (best for studio painting)
- Titanium White
- Yellow Ochre
- Cadmium Yellow Light
- Cadmium Orange
- Cadmium Red Light
- Viridian or Permanent Green Deep
- Ultramarine Blue
- Cobalt or Cerulean Blue
- Transparent Oxide Red or Burnt Sienna
- Alizarin or Madder Lake
Need oil paints or want to try water-mixable oils?
Use discount code: lorimcnee30 and save on Lori’s Cobra Water Mixable Oil Set:
https://lorimcnee.com/product/loris-new-cobra-oil-set
I am a trained master artist in Cobra water-mixable, solvent-free oils, and I would love to teach you how to use them. They are especially perfect for overseas travel.
Here is a very helpful post: http://www.finearttips.com/2009/10/water-soluble-oilpaints-facts-tips-why-i-use-them/
Other suggested brands are Rembrandt, Gamblin, Winsor Newton, Holbein, and Utrecht.
Watercolor/Gouache: You might want to bring a small watercolor or gouache set for quick sketchbook field studies.
- Here’s a beautiful gouache set by Caran d’Ache available on Amazon https://amzn.to/38dsCT8 I love gouache – it’s basically opaque watercolor, but easier.
BRUSHES:
Brushes are an important tool for the artist, but you don’t have to break the bank! Bring a few cheap ½ inch chip brushes from your local hardware store. These are great for laying in underpainting and textures. Bring high-quality brushes ranging from sizes 4-8. I prefer filberts and flats, and
one round. Bring what you like…
Lori’s new Signature Series Landscape Brush Set which is perfect for this trip for oil and acrylic painters… https://lorimcnee.com/product/lori-mcnee-signature-series-plein-air-landscapebrush-set
Here are some other great brushes:
- Princeton Aspen or 6300 series http://www.dickblick.com/products/princeton-series-6300-best-synthetic-bristlebrushes/
- Catalyst is great if you want a stiff brush even when soaked with water. http://www.dickblick.com/products/princeton-catalyst-polytip-bristle-brushes/
For watercolor or gouache, you will need a set of brushes.
- Velvet Touch by Princeton has a nice set https://www.dickblick.com/products/princetonvelvetouch-series-3950-synthetic-brushes/
- Winsor Newton https://amzn.to/3u3cjRo
PAINTING SUPPORTS (panels, canvases, etc):
Depending upon our workshop itinerary, plan to paint 2-3 paintings a day. Panels and canvases can get heavy, so I prefer to bring along extra lightweight panels. Bring pre-primed linen or canvas panels, canvas pads, or gessoed hardboard panels in a variety of smaller sizes ranging from 6×8, 8×10, 9×12, and 11×14.
Traditional oil painters can paint on either oil-primed or universal primed gessoed supports. Water-mixable oil and acrylic painters – only paint on acrylic or universal primed gessoed supports.
- Multimedia Artboard: My favorite Belgium Linen Panels for traveling > Lori McNee/s Signature Series – Claessens #109 Belgium Linen
- And I love the Multimedia Artboard packs – great for oil, acrylic, or watercolor/gouache https://lorimcnee.com/product/lori-mcnee-signature-seriesmultimedia-artboard-selection/
Lori during a private moment at an early morning painting session in Monet’s Garden.
Other options
- Fredrix linen boards: https://www.dickblick.com/products/fredrix-pro-seriesbelgian-linen-boards/
- Raymar: https://www.raymarart.com/
- Arches Oil Paper https://amzn.to/35C1egS
QUICK CHECKLIST OF NECESSITIES
- Easel/tripod (if not supplied by workshop coordinator)
- Paints
- Brushes
- Support (panels, canvases, etc)
- Empty, clamp-lid container for mineral spirits or water. (We will get
solvents there) https://amzn.to/3Jap7de - Sketchbook, pen, or pencil (for notes and ideas)
- Black Sharpie
- Camera and SD Card
HELPFUL EXTRAS:
- Wet Panel Carrier https://amzn.to/36OG8MN
- Viewfinder https://amzn.to/3K97ETC
- Paper Towels (Viva or Blue Shop are best!)
- Blue Painter’s Tape (to tape down oil or watercolor paper and wrap wet
paintings) https://amzn.to/3NUrcgW - Umbrella (An option for sun or rain, bring a small one when traveling by
air). - Nitrile gloves (Keep your hands safe and clean while painting)
https://amzn.to/3u1zYl6 - Smock or apron
- Saran Wrap (for wrapping wet paintings)
- Wine Corks (for transporting wet paintings)
http://www.finearttips.com/2016/01/turn-a-wine-cork-into-a-plein-airpainting-carrier - Plastic bags (for trash, and other things).
- Carabiners (A few of these come in handy). https://amzn.to/3j4dcCM
- Baby Wipes (Soft-sided container)
- Sunscreen
- Bug Repellent
- Water bottle
- Stool or small chair (not good for airplane travel)
- Drying rack http://www.finearttips.com/2015/08/dryangle-handy-plein-airpainting-drying-rack/
CLOTHING
- Brimmed hat
- Wool cap or beanie
- Scarf
- Warm jacket
- Comfortable waterproof or resistant shoes
SUGGESTED READING
- Fine Art Tips with Lori McNee – Painting Techniques and Professional Advice https://amzn.to/2C6ivwH
- “Composition of Outdoor Painting” Edgar Payne https://amzn.to/3rkXDvp
- “Carlson’s Guide to Landscape Painting” John F. Carlson https://amzn.to/3DDlbAj
- “Hawthorne on Painting” Charles W. Hawthorne
- “The Art Spirit” Robert Henri https://amzn.to/36UkA1b
- “Composition” Arthur Wesley Dow https://amzn.to/3IZpXJv