Supplies and Tips for Painting Retreats

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This is a general list of supplies. Depending on your particular workshop, you may be asked to bring additional supplies.

Portable Easel/equipment: You are responsible for providing your own easel. I use a Paintbook by EdgePro Gear, https://www.edgeprogear.com/paintbookstore/putnam-signature-graphite. If you want to order one, allow about a month for production time. The large size allows for more mixing space; the mid-size is lighter. Gotta make choices sometimes.

Please use a wooden or neutral-gray mixing palette (which may be part of your portable easel). Do not use a white palette or palette paper. 

If you are attending a studio workshop, easels may be provided for you. Check with your organizer.

Paints:

Bring any color palette you are comfortable with using.

These are the colors I enjoy using indoors. The four colors marked with one * are all you really need (especially for keeping your plein air gear lightweight). The ones marked with two ** would be great for convenience. Others are truly optional, but you can certainly make do without them. I will not bring all of these colors with me if our workshop is held en plein air! 

These are all Gamblin Artists Colors unless otherwise noted:
• Cad Yellow Light or Medium* (sometimes I bring both)
• India Yellow
• Cadmium Orange **
• Naphthol Red or Michael Harding Opera Rose*
• Asphaltum
• Brown Pink
• Diox Purple **
• Ultramarine Blue or Cobalt Blue*
• Portland Grey Cool
• Cadmium Green or Permanent Green Light **
• Titanium White*
• Occasionally: Phthalo Blue, Phthalo Green, Quinacridone Red, Michael Harding Perylene Violet, Warm White, Gamblin 1980s series Cool Violet.

I’ve enjoyed using these great paint saver boxes from BoxNPaint. By putting the slightest drop of clove oil on the inside felt, I have kept my oil colors wet for 4 weeks! Carry them in a ziplock for added protection from leakage. Use promo code LORIPUTNAM20 to save 20% off any order at boxNpaint.com.

TIP 1: Lori loads her EdgePro palette or BoxNPaint storage box full of paint before going out to paint. In her backpack, she only takes the three colors marked with an asterisk in the paint list above. These will serve as replacements in a pinch. There is no need to haul around two dozen tubes of paint. 

Brushes and tools:

Do not bring old, worn-out brushes. Lori is always experimenting with new shapes and styles of brushes. Don’t be surprised to find something awesome she has just discovered during your workshop! For plein air workshops, think less is better. The weight of brushes really adds up in your backpack! The minimum needed for her workshops is typically the following:

Silver Brush, Silver Grand Prix, (or similar bristle brush), filbert or extra-long filbert, size 6 - quantity 2
Silver Brush, Bristlon, or Ruby Satin or Trekell Opal Series (or similar slightly softer synthetic brush), long or extra-long flat, one each sizes 4 and 6
Silver Brush, Silver Silk 88, or Trekell Spectrum Series (or similar soft synthetic brush), long  or extra-long flat, one each sizes 2 and 4
Optional: Rosemary & Co Evergreen Series egbert, size 2
At Trekell, use savings code LoriP to save 10%. One use per customer.
At Silver Brush, use savings code 2026PACE15 to save 15% off any order.

In addition, please bring a palette knife. Lori also uses all sorts of fun tools and scrapers. This is one of her favorites: Rubber Brayer.

TIP 2: Limit the number of brushes you bring. Do you really need a brush that you hardly ever use? If it is a brand new brush (oh how beautiful) be sure you at least try it at home so you know if it is worth toting around with you.

Surface:

There are many good sources for painting panels. The panel Lori will most likely use is available from RayMarArt.com. It is the #15 dp oil linen. These are more expensive than the cotton ones, but the surface is really lovely, allowing you to achieve different effects. If you order from RayMar, enter code PUTNAM at checkout. Sometimes you get a 15% discount from them. If you're looking for a less expensive alternative, try the Centurion double oil-primed linen pads or panels. However, remember that you will also need a way to transport your wet paintings back home. The sizes Lori uses are 8x10, 9x12, 10x12, and 11x14. You should bring what feels comfortable for you.

TIP 3: Be mindful of panel sizes. You do not need a variety of different sizes; only different proportions are required. For instance, if using a 9x12 RayMar wet-panel, you can also fit a 10x12 in the same carrier. If you are using very thin panels, you can fit six in the same carrier by placing two back-to-back in each slot. They also offer carriers that accommodate multiple widths. Alternatively, consider using PanelPak carriers, which are thinner but can accommodate only two panels of the same size. Think about how you work in the timeframe of one, 2-hour-ish session.

Other:

• Wet panel carriers for transporting your work home (see TIP 3 above)

• I use paint-tube carriers by Dagmar Solutions. They keep the tubes from puncturing each other during transport and keep the paints super handy when painting. However, they only work with certain brands of paint tops. Check them out at dagmarsolutions.com

• Plein Air umbrella. I use one with a white interior from BestBrella. Unfortunately, they have just stopped making them. I am looking for a new source. A lot of people like the https://artworkessentials.com/umbrella.html. It is amazing, but also heavy. Again, gotta make choices.

• Small sketchpad and markers - light gray, mid-gray, and black

• ViewCatcher

• Empty, small, sealable, non-breakable, spill-proof container with lid for mineral spirits

• Paper towels and trash bags

• Mineral spirits or solvent-free painting medium such as Gamsol Artists’ Grade Odorless Mineral Spirits (OMS), Tusc and Pine StudioSolv, or Michael Harding Miracle Medium.

NOTE: IF TRAVELING BY PLANE, OMS should be purchased at your final destination. DO NOT PACK AND BRING. IT IS ILLEGAL TO BRING OMS ON FLIGHTS. Do not bring contractor-grade OMS from hardware stores. It is not good for you, the people around you, or your pants! During international retreats, we generally provide Gamsol (or a close substitute) for you to purchase on-site. Be sure to check with the organizer to confirm.

• Brush soap (optional) I like this new one from Tusc and Pine

• Paper towels and bags for trash

• Wet-ones wipes

• Sense of humor

For your physical comfort:

• Dress in layers, or bring a change of clothes, to adjust as the weather changes

• Wear a neutral-colored top or jacket

• Hat, visor, or umbrella for sun or rain

• Long sleeves/pants/shorts, depending on the weather of the retreat location

• Bug spray

• Sunscreen

• Comfortable shoes for walking and standing (Some people bring a lightweight, foldable stool. These may also be available from your workshop organizer.)

• Bottled water or a refillable water bottle

TIP 4: For plein air retreats, it is best to pack all your gear in a backpack if possible. Be sure it is not too heavy for you to tote your own stuff. We realize you may need to “roll” your kit rather than carry it on your back. We will do everything possible, but please try to keep your supplies to a minimum. “Please,” “thank-you,” and “free drinks” go a long way to getting extra help. lol.

The most important supply you must bring is your sense of humor. Do not expect too much of yourself. Learning can be frustrating, but oh-so-worth it. Relax, have fun, and follow Lori’s instructions to make the most out of your experience.

NOTE: This is a general supply list. Be sure to ask your retreat/workshop organizer for specific supplies that may be needed.

If you are interested in all of Lori’s Favorite supplies, look here: https://loriputnam.online/loris-favorite-things