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Studio Picks
A curated collection of the tools, mediums, and gear I rely on in my studio. From the acrylics that bring my canvases to life to the essentials that help me create, these are the items I personally recommend for your own creative practice.
Painting Essentials
GOLDEN Heavy Body Acrylics, Intro Set, 6 Color, Professional Acrylic Paint
When I am looking for professional-grade consistency, these are my go-to. I rely on Golden Heavy Body Acrylics for their remarkable texture. They hold every brushstroke and palette knife mark exactly where I place them, which is essential for the depth I aim for in my work. This intro set includes a perfectly balanced palette featuring Benzimidazolone Yellow Medium, Naphthol Red Light, Ultramarine Blue, Permanent Green Light, Carbon Black, and Titanium White. It gives you everything you need to start experimenting with rich, opaque layers. They are a staple in my studio because they never compromise on pigment intensity.
Heavy Body Acrylics by GOLDEN, Traditional Set, 7 Color, Professional Acrylic Paint
For anyone interested in figurative work or more complex color studies, this set is essential. It provides a curated selection of historically significant pigments that make mixing skin tones and organic palettes much more intuitive. I always appreciate how Golden maintains such a smooth and thick consistency without relying on unnecessary fillers. Because each pigment is allowed to shine on its own, you get a beautiful range of transparency and opacity. This set is perfect for exploring everything from delicate glazing techniques to bold, opaque applications.
Golden OPEN Thinner
This is one of my favorite studio hacks for extending my painting sessions. Because I work with acrylics, the fast drying time can sometimes be a challenge, especially when I want to blend colors longer on the canvas. This thinner is a lifesaver because it allows me to adjust the consistency of my paints without changing the drying properties. It is also incredibly useful for keeping colors fresh on my palette for longer periods, which helps me reduce waste significantly. Just remember that since it does not contain binders, you should use it sparingly by mixing one part thinner to at least three parts paint or medium.
Golden Matte Medium
This is an incredibly versatile staple in my studio that I find myself reaching for constantly. I love using this when I want to decrease the natural gloss of my acrylics and achieve that beautiful, toothy, and wax-like finish. It is fantastic for extending my paint without losing structural integrity, and I often use it as a transparent ground on canvas when I want to keep the surface visible beneath my layers. If you enjoy having fine-tuned control over your transparency and surface sheen, this medium is an absolute essential for your collection.
Golden Gloss Medium
This is my go-to choice when I want to introduce more luminosity and depth into my work. I love using this medium for glazing because it has a wonderful resinous, oil-like feel that helps the paint flow and level out beautifully on the canvas. It is also a vital tool in my studio for blocking Support Induced Discoloration, which keeps my paintings looking pristine over time. If you are looking to increase translucency or simply want more control over the sheen and flow of your colors, this medium provides that extra level of professional flexibility.
Golden Heavy Body Acrylics (Titanium White)
If there is one tube in my studio that I am constantly replacing, it is the Titanium White. As an artist, you quickly learn that white is the most essential color in your kit. I specifically choose the Golden Heavy Body version because it provides incredible opacity and covering power, which is exactly what I need when I am layering or highlighting on canvas. Since I use it so frequently to mix tints and build structure, I always keep a larger supply on hand. It is a staple that truly earns its space on my palette.
Golden High Solid Gel Gloss
If you are looking to bring more sculptural energy to your work, this is the medium I reach for. It is remarkably thick and clear, which makes it perfect for when I want to build heavy, deliberate texture or retain crisp brush and palette knife marks. I use it as a versatile thickener and extender, but it also functions as an incredible adhesive for mixed media collage. Because it offers excellent flexibility and resists water and UV damage once dry, I never have to worry about the long-term integrity of the textures I create. It is a must-have for anyone who wants their paintings to have a more tactile, three-dimensional presence.
Liquitex BASICS Gesso
When I am preparing my canvases, I need a reliable foundation, and this gesso is a fantastic value for that base coat. It is incredibly efficient because one coat is usually enough to prime the surface properly for both acrylics and oils. I like that it is intermixable with other professional-grade paints and mediums, which gives me a lot of flexibility in my process. Because it conforms to safety standards, it is a great, straightforward choice for any studio setup where you need consistent, dependable results without any fuss.
Tools & Brushes
Princeton Catalyst Polytip 5-Piece Brush Set
This is the perfect all-in-one recommendation for my followers because it takes the guesswork out of building a kit. I find this set incredible for working with medium-to-heavy body paints, which are central to my own technique. The polytip bristles are the real game-changer. They hold so much more paint than standard synthetic brushes and apply it with such smooth, deliberate strokes. Because these are built to withstand water exposure much better than natural hair bristles, they are a much smarter, more durable investment for any acrylic painter’s drawer.
Liquitex Professional Freestyle Detail Bright No. 12
This is my go-to choice when I need a brush that balances control with creative freedom. The blended synthetic nylon bristles offer the perfect amount of spring and snap, which makes it incredibly reliable for any acrylic application. I find that the long, contoured handle makes a huge difference in comfort, especially during those long painting sessions in the studio. It is a professional-grade tool that I trust for both building up texture and refining the final details of a piece.
Liquitex Large Scale Broad Flat/Varnish Brush, 8 inch
This brush is a total powerhouse when I am working on larger canvases or need to apply a finish. It is my favorite tool for creating broad, gestural strokes and is absolutely essential for varnishing, as it covers wide surfaces quickly and smoothly. Because it is designed for large-scale applications, it makes the process of priming or sealing a painting feel effortless and professional. If you work on big pieces or just want a faster way to apply your top coats, this is the tool you need in your collection.
Liquitex Professional Freestyle Detail Bright No. 12
This is my go-to choice when I need a brush that balances control with creative freedom. The blended synthetic nylon bristles offer the perfect amount of spring and snap, which makes it incredibly reliable for any acrylic application. I find that the long, contoured handle makes a huge difference in comfort, especially during those long painting sessions in the studio. It is a professional-grade tool that I trust for both building up texture and refining the final details of a piece.
Studio Comforts
GOLDEN Heavy Body Acrylics, Intro Set, 6 Color, Professional Acrylic Paint
When I am looking for professional-grade consistency, these are my go-to. I rely on Golden Heavy Body Acrylics for their remarkable texture. They hold every brushstroke and palette knife mark exactly where I place them, which is essential for the depth I aim for in my work. This intro set includes a perfectly balanced palette featuring Benzimidazolone Yellow Medium, Naphthol Red Light, Ultramarine Blue, Permanent Green Light, Carbon Black, and Titanium White. It gives you everything you need to start experimenting with rich, opaque layers. They are a staple in my studio because they never compromise on pigment intensity.
Heavy Body Acrylics by GOLDEN, Traditional Set, 7 Color, Professional Acrylic Paint
For anyone interested in figurative work or more complex color studies, this set is essential. It provides a curated selection of historically significant pigments that make mixing skin tones and organic palettes much more intuitive. I always appreciate how Golden maintains such a smooth and thick consistency without relying on unnecessary fillers. Because each pigment is allowed to shine on its own, you get a beautiful range of transparency and opacity. This set is perfect for exploring everything from delicate glazing techniques to bold, opaque applications.
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