Favorite Tools

Recently I've received a number of emails asking about my favorite tools, so here goes:

1. Jack Richeson Lyptus Dulce H Frame Easel - an eco-friendly easel which can accomodate canvases up to 7 feet high, weighs only 26 lbs and folds flat to place under a bed when we n.
2. Taboret - acutally a kitchen cart from IKEA with a sheet of glass duct taped to the top.  Sturdy and easy to move.
3. 6x8 ThumBox pochade - I can never say enough about my 'studio in a box' from Judson's - the new one is not as deep as mine but I'm sure it will still accomodate everything needed.
4. Heinz Jordan & Co. Journals - they contain 250 pages of nice paper, lie flat when opened, measure 5x8 inches and are made in Canada.
5. Liquitex acrylics - for many reasons but the two main ones are that they don't make my family sick (high chemical sensitivities and allergies) and they have a large lid which is easy to open and helps them to stand upright.  I always keep a basic set (red, blue, yellow, and white) but sometimes expand on it with any color that catches my eye.
6. Tube Wringer - a wringer gets every little bit out of each tube of paint...I tend to prefer smaller tubes as the paint won't thicken or dry out but do not want to waste any of it.  It's also great for squeezing out that last bit of toothpaste :)
7. Brushes - I love flats as I can fill large spaces but also create nice lines when I turn the brush to its edge...and as often as I can I try to look for acrylic handles.  I live in a very dry climate and wooden handles tend to dry out and shrink, plus if I leave the brush in the water too long they expand again, cracking the handle & wrecking the ferrule (the metal sleeve that keeps the bristles attached to the brush), which then wrecks the brush.
8. Rags - my favorite are my husband's old ripped up cotton t-shirts as the cotton is absorbant and they've been washed and dried so often that they don't leave lint behind.
9. Canvas - I love stretched canvas as my substrate...love the give and texture of the fabric and the fact that I can stretch my own (see directions here).
10. Palette Knife - I also use palette knife, not to mix with as I like the paint on my brush to be partially mixed to leave interesting marks, but to scrape off my palette at the end of a painting session.