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Advice for starting Painting (oil, watercolour)

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  • 25-10-2014 8:38pm
    #1
    kifi
    Registered Users Posts: 481 ✭✭


    Hi all,

    My wife's birthday is coming up shortly, she has always said how much she enjoyed art at school and often mentions that she would like to back into painting. So, I'd like to get some advice from somebody who knows what they are doing, I don't have a clue.

    I've no problem spending 200-300 euro to get her a decent setup. I am assuming oil paints would be the best? I'd prefer get her good quality stuff, even if she might be classed as a beginner.

    If there was a list of equipment that I need to buy and where to buy it, I'd really appreciate any advice.

    Thanks


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    #2
    Red Hare
    Registered Users Posts: 1,393 ✭✭✭Red Hare


    Oils are not necessarily the best. You said your wife did Art in school but it is unlikely that she would have done oils in school.

    For beginners I would advise a set of acrylic paints or watercolours.

    For watercolours you need watercolour paper - or a pad of paper.
    For Acrylic paper - including watercolour paper will do - but if you wish you can buy board or canvas in the art supplies shops.


  • Options
    #3
    kifi
    Registered Users Posts: 481 ✭✭kifi


    Red Hare wrote: »
    Oils are not necessarily the best. You said your wife did Art in school but it is unlikely that she would have done oils in school.

    For beginners I would advise a set of acrylic paints or watercolours.

    For watercolours you need watercolour paper - or a pad of paper.
    For Acrylic paper - including watercolour paper will do - but if you wish you can buy board or canvas in the art supplies shops.

    Thanks Red Hare. any recommendation for quality brands? Which would produce better results watercolours or acrylic? Any recommendations on brush types or where to buy?

    Thanks again


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    #4
    Red Hare
    Registered Users Posts: 1,393 ✭✭✭Red Hare


    In Dublin I recommend "Kennedys" on Harcourt Street or" K&M Evans" on Meeting house Lane - Off Mary's Abbey or "O'Sullivan Graphics" on Camden St.

    "Daler "make the best Acrylic in my opinion.
    Watercolours - " Winsor & Newton" or " Schminke"

    For Paints, brushes and Paper/Boards -I would say that Kennedys have the biggest selection.

    All the brands are good generally.

    OSullivan Graphics have a 20% discount if your a student on Tues & Sat.

    If your wife is a total beginner - i would recommend buying a book to help - Kennedys have books for sale. Also kennedys do lesson in Art, maybe buy lessons if you are close to Dublin or nightclasses in your local area. I dont mean to sound like an ad for Kennedys - the other shops are good too!


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    #5
    looksee
    Registered Users Posts: 28,050 ✭✭✭✭looksee


    There is really no need to spend that much on even top quality art supplies. I would be inclined to go mid range and get some watercolours, some acrylics and some polychromo and sketching pencils - just enough of each to get started. A book or two, some sketch pads and acrylic paper and possibly enrollment to a night school class - which would actually absorb quite a bit of the budget, but would be a great start.

    As she establishes which style she prefers she can build up more supplies as she needs them. Too much and too expensive could be off putting to a beginner. Also going straight into a group can be off putting (and difficult to get admittance) until she finds her own skills and style.


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    #6
    halfmoon
    Registered Users Posts: 48 ✭halfmoon


    Yes,
    too much expensive equipment in the beginning and she might think that she should not really use it because she is only a beginner. Mid range all the way and tell her there would be plenty more if she needed it, so don't hold back on splashing it about, the paint I mean.


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