Workshop Supply List

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.

Brushes:

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.

Minimum suggested for this workshop. 

Palette knife

Scrapers, brayers, etc. I do not insist on any of these. They are useful in more-advanced classes.

Surface: 

There are many good sources for surfaces. I prefer working on panels whenever possible. I like the stiffness as opposed to working on stretched canvases with “spring.” One panel that I like a lot 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. Use promo code PUTNAM to save 15% at checkout. If you are looking for a less expensive alternative, try Centurion double oil primed linen pads or panels.

  • You will need one or two each day of the workshop, ranging in sizes from 8x10 to 12x16. Choose sizes you are comfortable with for a single painting session, and remember, you will need a way to transport these wet paintings home, so bring sizes for which you have wet carriers.

Other: 

  • Wet canvas carriers such as Raymar or PanelPak.

  • 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.

  • Small sketchpad and pencil or even better, Neutral Grey, Duo tipped markers, 1 each in tones 1, 4, and black sketching markers

  • ViewCatcher (gray plastic crop/view finder tool) available at most art stores

  • EMPTY, small, sealable, non-breakable, spill-proof container for mineral

  • Gamblin Solvent Free Gel (optional, makes the paint dry more rapidly for ease in packing)

  • Gamsol Artists’ Grade Odorless Mineral Spirits or Tusc and Pine StudioSolv (OMS). 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 that is available at hardware stores. It is not good for you, people around you, or your paints! Some workshop locations will provide this for you. Check with your organizer.
    Optionally, try Michael Harding Miracle Medium. It is allowed in your checked baggage and can be used in the painting process as well as to clean your brushes at the end of each session.

  • Brush soap (optional)

  • 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 weather changes

  • Wear neutral-colored tops and jackets; rain jacket

  • Hat, visor, or umbrella for sun or rain

  • Bug spray

  • Sunscreen

  • Comfortable shoes for walking and standing

  • Small chair, blanket, or stool for outdoor demonstrations

  • Bottled water and snacks

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