Choosing paints

Color List.

There are quite few great companies making delicious acrylic paints (though not  edible!). I enjoy a mix of their products but consistently use novacolorpaint.com as my source of acrylic paint for all of my classes, workshops and murals. It is a high quality, premixed, high pigment load paint that delivers a satisfying experience and result each time. 

When I first started teaching I tried several cheaper brands and was extremely frustrated with the results. Most of the time was spent chasing the paint across the canvas and not being able to blend smoothly. I knew that if I couldn’t get it to work for me, then a beginner artist would not want to continue their pursuit of art if this is what it entailed. It was an easy choice after that. Nova Paints it is!

I also switched the canvases to a pre-grounded color gesso so that beginner painters could use chalk to sketch out their work. This lessened the anxiety about “getting it right” as well as starting the painting. I had already started it for them with a color base!

I have created a color palette list with links on my home page at Christine MacShane Artist and Teacher. It is broken up into absolute essential colors, additional colors and fun add ons. Please note that we always mix our greens, purples, oranges and pinks in classes but you are welcome to mix and match as you like…enjoy!

I am offering a beginner acrylics class that will take a slower paced look at colors, blending and more. If you would like to try out these paints and learn how to control them, there is still a spot for you!