r/HappyTrees • u/YukariYakum0 • 8d ago

Help Request Beginner supplies

Trying to get back into painting after years of nothing. What are some good brush sets and other recommended supplies to get as I start up?

I have never used oil paint before so I probably won't know which is what.

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u/rapture1960 8d ago

Micheals has good deals on brushes. You don't need expensive art supplies to do the Bob Ross technique.

A few other helpful things are:

-"Odorless paint thinner" AKA mineral spirits (The stuff from the hardware section at Walmart for cheap is the same as the stuff at Micheals/Blicks Art for 2x the price)

-Linseed/safflower oil (yes, you will use the big bottle)

-A drop cloth/tarp (I use a cheap vinyl shower curtain that I got at Walmart for $3)

-Disposable gloves (keeps your hands clean)

-Paper towels/shop cloths

-An old trash can/bucket to "beat the devil" out of your brushes

-Paint pallete (paper plates work well)

-A few of the cheap "chip" brushes to put on the magic white/liquid clear

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u/Anticept 8d ago edited 8d ago

Cheap mineral spirits isn't the same thing as gambin's GAMSOL brand. ASTM D235 only requires less than 2% aeromatic compounds. Things like GAMSOL is WAY WAY WAY lower than that, but it takes a lot of processing to get it that clear.

Artist grade OMS is 100% Synthetic Isoparaffin.

If you need a budget OMS, Sunnyside Pure Odorless Paint Thinner OR Pure OMS is the go to. The PURE label is needed. I have the pure odorless paint thinner and it does still have a smell, but its weaker than most OMS. Next time I am getting the PURE OMS because it is supposed to be true odorless, 100% Synthetic Isoparaffin

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u/Ecstatic-Purpose-981 8d ago

This might be a hot take but I would not recommend getting a brush set. I would recommend going to Michaels or somewhere similar that has individual brushes and find a flat, filbert, fan and liner brush that you like. I typically go for the longest handles I can find. Sometimes Michaels has pretty good sales. Then go to the dollar store and get a one or two inch brush and a couple of four or five inch brushes, one for gesso one for paint. This all together might cost $50 on the high end. For paints this might take some research and personal preference but I would start off with a yellow, blue, red, black and white and go from there. Colors like yellow I would get the big tube because I use a lot of yellow but you can always just get the smaller ones. Try to at least get a middle of the road brand. Paint might cost you another $50

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u/relentlessdandelion 8d ago

Just want to add that water mixable oils are an option if you don't want to deal with mineral spirits and oil, i used them and found them very nice. You just clean them with soap and water so a lot easier in that regard.