Wanderlust 2020 Main Product List

Here are the most basic materials that will be used on almost each lesson on Wanderlust 2020:

  • an art journal
  • acrylic paints
  • gesso
  • paintbrushes
  • pencils
  • pen
  • glue stick, scissors
  • collage papers

(see below for descriptions and tips about each)


All the rest that's below is optional. If you are at the beginning of your art adventure, your workshop is quite modest and you don't know much about products please keep in mind that you don't have to complete all of these supplies. Give yourself time to learn about products, watch the Wanderlust videos and then choose what you want to try. Though remember that Wanderlust is about trying new things so if there is something you were always afraid to use, now it's the right time!

Additionally, each Teacher will have their own product list that will be published in the classroom about a month before the lesson goes live. Even though we ask our Teachers to keep the products simple, it may happen that it will include something that wasn’t mention on the following product list.

The article below isn't sponsored by any brand and all recommendations are based on our subjective opinions and experience.

Mediums

Pens - a black one is the most important. We recommend you to get at least three different sizes of nibs and definitely add a brush pen to your collection. I'm mostly using black Sakura Pigma Micron 05, 03 and black Faber - Castell PITT artist pen in size F, M and B (brush).

Watercolour pencils and/or water-soluble pastels - Don't limit yourself to only few colours as you are going to use them a lot. They are versatile, good for traveling art journals and very easy to use. I use few sets of watercolour pencils from Daler Rowney, Faber-Castell, or Kooh-i-noor - they are all very good quality. For water-soluble oil/wax pastels we are using Neocolors II or Portfolio.

Liquid inks like Bombay and Ecoline. Make sure you have got a black one and if you fancy experimenting choose two or three other colours.

Watercolour paints - in tubes or pans. I recommend you investing in a better quality watercolour paint and start with few basic colours like warm yellow, warm red, cool red (e.g. Alizarin Crimson), ultramarine, cobalt blue, sap green, burnt orange. Avoid the student grade paints in this case. If you pay more here you will definitely not regret it. My personal choice are Sennelier as I love their vibrant colours.

Permanent, waterproof ink pad - a black one is definitely a must-have. The most I like StazOn and Archival in Jet Black colour.

Acrylic paints - heavy body (Golden, Senellier, Abstract, Liquitex, Daler Rowney System 3) and fluid ones (Golden Fluid,...). Both non-toxic as we are going to paint with our fingers from time to time. It's good to have a few colours of each type as it gives you more opportunities and they are very different, but if you want to choose only one type I would go for heavy body - they are essential for Wanderlust classes. Also we would always recommend getting a smaller basic colour palette of acrylics rather than tons of tubes that may get wasted. During the class you will be encouraged to learn and explore mixing your own colours. Here’s a basic palette that will give you plenty opportunities: cadmium red, permanent rose, yellow ochre, cadmium yellow pale, phthalocyanine blue, ultramarine blue, burnt umber, titanium white.

Gesso - white is the most important but I'm sure you will also find a clear and a black one very useful. Try to choose better quality gesso as it won't turn yellow over time and will provide you better surface to work on. My favourites are Liquitex, Golden, Daler Rowney and Prima from Finnabair's Art Basic line.

Gel Medium - if you don't have any choose a soft one (thinner) at the beginning. It works perfect as an adhesive and a medium for transfer techniques. I'm using mostly Soft Matte Gel from Prima Art Basic line, but any other brand will also work just as well. To add some texture we are also using Prima 3D Matte Gel, but this is not necessary.

Glues - For gluing papers gel medium (mentioned above) and good quality glue sticks (e.g. Ranger Collage Glue Stick, Scotch) are enough. I also like to use Glossy Accents by Ranger as glue because it dries quickly and you can be very precise. Mod Podge will also work well.

Tools

Scissors - sharp and with a comfortable handle - that's all you need :)

Paint brushes - if possible try to invest in better quality brushes. Their bristle won't change and fall off. Buy the best you can afford, you won’t regret that.

A perfect starting kit would be: one round big nylon brush (my favourites are Pro Arte Polar 14 and Kozlowski 18), at least two flat soft synthetic brushes in different sizes (e.g. Ranger Artist Brushes, Gold Line Crea-time), one bigger hog-style paint brush with stiff bristles for heavy body acrylics (Pro Arte Studio Hog 12, Dina Wakley paint brush 1"). I also always have one really cheap bigger brush for my glue and gel medium. If I accidentally forget about washing it and the glue dries then I don’t have to worry that I wasted my best, expensive brush.

Palette Knives - metal palette knives are my favourite, but to start with you can try cheaper plastic ones. You will need at least two different sizes - a small one and medium.

Brayer - medium size soft rubber brayer. My favourites are those from Ranger and Speedball.

Craft heating gun or a hair dryer - For making drying process faster. Heating gun makes it easier though. It’s hotter and doesn’t blow away as much. I'm using a Ranger Heat It Craft Tool, but any other will be fine as well (e.g. American Crafts Zap embossing heat gun, Martha Stewart Crafts heat tool, Dovecraft Pink Heat Tool)

Stamps and stencils - a few background stamps and stencils will add interest to our art journals and other mixed-media projects. Simply choose your favourites. Don't worry about acrylics blocks for stamps, or if they are mounted or not - it won't be an issue on my classes.

Journals - prepare a journal that you are going to work in. Of course it can be more than one. Make sure the paper is matte and thick enough (I recommend at least 190g/m2). My favourites are Dylusions Creative Journal in all sizes and Strathmore Mixed Media Visual Journal in 9" x 12" size and Fabriano. I also keep a sketchbook for ideas and quick drawings - a Hand Book Journal (Large Landscape size) and a few recycled books that I will show on my videos. I recommend you to wait before you buy something for this class.

WanderlustMainProductList-2020.pdf
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