Here's a few things I have learned over the years regarding equipment for painting. There's a few important things to remember when buying equipment and supplies if you're about to embark on a painting (I specialise on acrylic in canvas so these hints and tips reflect my experience)...

 

Canvases:

I have learned a few things about canvases in the past, if you can afford the more expensive then do so, they are thicker and the finishing varnish sticks to them much easier than on cheap canvases. I have used many cheaper canvases in the past and I have found that they are easier to paint on for some reason than more expensive canvases, I think this might be down to the way they are primed and the primer used, the downside is that varnish tends to dry blotchy unless many coats of paint have been applied.

 

Brushes:

I have found that sometimes there are bargains to be had in cheaper shops regarding brushes, I have owned several sets of 'cheap' brushes that do an excellent job, equally as good as some brushes costing 5 times the amount, this isn't always the case, of course. Wherever possible try to buy branded name brushes, names you trust, but also try out some of the cheap brushes on canvases just in case they prove to be usable. Long soft sable brushes are very good for acrylic painting, stiffer bristles tend to be good for undercoating in my experience

Cheap brushes also make excellent mixing brushes, this extends the lives of your 'nice' brushes.

 

Paint:

As with above I would steer clear of most cheap brands. I have used Windsor and Newton's Galleria range for many years now and they are more than superb. There is the Daler Rowney Cryla range also, these tend to be quite thick paints, so if you're wanting more of a chunky look to your painting then use these, the Galleria range has a smoother texture to them and are great for layered techniques.

 

I will be producing some step by step videos and uploading them for people to enjoy. I will be looking to expand this section of the site to encompass all tips I have gathered over the years.