Acrylic Paint Supplies

Setting Up Your Studio

It's okay to set everything up on the kitchen table and start painting but you need a permanent place you can go to keep all your acrylic paint supplies up and ready to go any time you get inspired or you want to be creative.

There are a few things you need for your studio:

1. Table or desk with drawers.

2. Easel. Some artists are comfortable with painting on a flat surface but most prefer the canvas at eye level. Most full standing easels are adjustable for sitting or standing. A table easel is good for someone who is confined to a small working space or limited in their ability to stand. You can get some ideas on the Artist Easel Reviews page.

3. You'll want to have some shelves to store extra canvases, brushes, paint, and other supplies.

4. A small table or cart next to your easel to keep items you need (like paint) to complete your artwork or set your palette down.

5. A good supply of clean rags, a couple coffee cans or jars for clean up. A drop cloth, roll of plastic, or newspapers to cover and protect the floor and/or table.

6. Apron or paint shirt

7. One of the most important things is a good lighting system.

8. You'll want to have some ventilation when the fumes get heavy so make sure the are some windows in your studio.

9. Soap for clean up.

CANVAS

Checklist for additional acrylic painting supplies to consider if you're painting on canvas:

1. Canvas - suggestion: Stretched Canvas

2. Paint brushes - for more info see Best Brushes For Acrylic Paint.

3. Gesso Primer unless your canvas is pre-primed. (most are, so check the packaging.)

4. Acrylic paints - check out my page on the Best Acrylic Paint for Artists. 

5. Artist palette - see How To Make A Wet Palette.

6. Sealant if you plan on using one.

There are many places to get your acrylic paint supplies like local craft stores, artist supply stores, or you can have it delivered to you from Amazon

WOOD

Checklist for additional acrylic painting supplies to consider if you're working on wood:

1. Wood - suggestion: Oval Natural Wood Slices.

2. Paint brushes - for more info see Best Brushes For Acrylic Paint.

3. Acrylic paints - check out my page on the Best Acrylic Paint for Artists. 

4. Artist Palette - see How To Make A Wet Palette.

If your wood surface is unprepared, there are a few things you’ll need to do to get it ready for painting:

5. Sandpaper 150-220 grit.

6. Tack cloths.

7. Gesso Primer.

8. Paint brush - flat Gesso brush or utility brush.

9. For wood projects you will also need a sealant or varnish to protect your project.

To transfer patterns or pictures to wood:

10. Graphite paper

11. tracing paper

12. pencil

13. tracing instrument (usually a smooth metal ball at the end of a shaft, a ballpoint pen works)

There are many places to get your acrylic paint supplies like local craft stores, artist supply stores, or you can have it delivered to you from Amazon

ROCKS

Checklist for additional acrylic painting supplies to consider if you're painting rocks:

1. Rocks, smooth ones are the best. 

2. Paint Brushes - durable, inexpensive ones that have long bristles work best.

3. Artist Palette - see How To Make A Wet Palette.

4. Wood filler - to fill in any holes or make a flat bottom.(get the outdoor kind)

5. Sandpaper - to make the rock nice and smooth - 100, 150, and 220 grit.

6. Chalk, soapstone or pencil to draw your basic design on the rocks.

7. Outdoor Acrylic Paint or DecoArt Patio Paint

8. If you haven't used an Outdoor Paint you may want to seal it with Outdoor Polyurethane.

There are many places to get your acrylic paint supplies like local craft stores, artist supply stores, or you can have it delivered to you from Amazon

GLASS

Checklist for additional acrylic painting supplies to consider if you're painting on glass:

1. Your Glass - depending on what your project is.   

2. A pattern or design of what you want to paint unless you prefer freehand. Check the Free Patterns page.

3. Acrylic Glass Paint or Acrylic Enamel Paint - water-based. What you need for paint will depend on what you decide to use for your project. Plan ahead with colors and mediums you'll need.

4. Paint Brushes - Again depending on what you'll be painting will determine what you'll need. Soft bristle brushes work well. You'll probably need a round and a flat one, use your paint brushes that you use for your other acrylic paint projects. You can also use things like daubers or pouncers for polka dots or the end of your paint brush for tiny dots. Sponge applicators work well too. For more info see Best Brushes For Acrylic Paint.

5. Artist Palette - see How To Make A Wet Palette.

6. Glass and Tile Medium - If you are going to use regular acrylic paint.

7. Clear Medium - Used for thinning glass paint. Water is not recommended for thinning glass paint if you want it to be more transparent or you need to thin it.

8. Glass Outliner - Good for Faux Stained Glass Projects.

9. Glass Paint Markers - Good for writing and details or touch-ups.

10. Stencil Tape - May be use to make stripes. Make sure to remove the tape while the paint is still wet or the paint may lift off with the tape.

11. Craft Blade - This is handy when painting on flat glass after it's dry to correct mistakes when you're making lines for faux stained glass.

12. A Sharpie Pen - This is also a handy tool to use for touch up on things that will not be used for eating or drinking.

13. Spray-on Sealant - For decorative glass only, can be used instead of heat setting, not on glass that will be used for food purposes.

There are many places to get your acrylic paint supplies like local craft stores, artist supply stores, or you can have it delivered to you from Amazon

Please feel free to add your thoughts and questions in the comments section.

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