Plein Air Painting Class

Contact me with questions.

Ojai’s art supply store, Ojai Creates, carries many of the items on this list. They will give you a 10% discount if you mention that you’re taking my class.

• Portable Easel:
  (French easel, pochade box, etc.). I use an 11″ x 14″ pochade box made by Open Box M mounted on a Sirui T-2005X tripod with a Manfrotto 496RC2 head. Click here to read my review of the Open Box M. (Open Box M offers my students a 10% discount. Contact me for the coupon code for use on their website.)
• Canvas Panels:
  I recommend using cotton or linen panels from 6″ x 8″ up to 12″ x 16″. Bring 2 panels each day. (Please don’t bring stretched canvas since light can easily shine through it from behind.) If you’re interested in making your own canvas panels, see how I make mine.
  You can purchase high-quality canvas panels from:
  • RayMar
  • SourceTek
• Brushes:
  • I have a brush set available for purchase from Trekell.com or you can bring something similar to what’s listed below.
  • Hog Bristle Flats, sizes #2, #4, #6, #8. I use Trekell Hog Bristle Long Flats, series 400LF.
  • Synthetic Mongoose Flats, sizes 1/8”, 1/4”, 3/8”. I use Trekell Legion Long Grainer, series 9099L.
• Paint (oils):
  These are the palette colors I am currently using. You may get them all if you wish, but please at least bring colors that are as close as possible to the first six. (I recommend M. Graham & Co. oil colors, but any brand is permissible.)  
  1. Titanium White
  2. Bismuth Yellow (or Cadmium Lemon) (You will receive a free tube of bismuth yellow)
  3. Yellow Ochre
  4. Anthraquinone Red (or Alizarin Permanent)
  5. Viridian
  6. Ultramarine Blue
  The following colors are optional, but I may use some of them: Cadmium Yellow, Cadmium Orange, Transparent Red Iron Oxide, Cerulean Blue, Cobalt Blue, Dioxazine Purple, Ivory Black
• Miscellaneous:
  • Odorless mineral spirits (Gamsol or Turpenoid), no turpentine products, please.
  • Brush washing container
  • Palette for mixing paint
  • Palette knife for cleaning palette
  • Paper towels
  • Trash bag for used paper towels
  • Small sketchpad and pencil
  • Hat
  • Rain jacket
  • Sunscreen
  • Drinking Water
  • (Optional) ViewCatcher viewing tool
  • (Optional) RayMar wet panel carrier for safely carrying your finished paintings
  • (Optional) Umbrella Kit from Easy-L for hot or rainy days