Oil Paint and Mediums.

These are all Gamblin Artists Colors available at artist supply stores and online retailers. Search your favorites to find the best prices.

The four colors listed in bold are all you really need.

• Cad Yellow Light
• Cad Yellow Medium (helpful for fall color)
• India Yellow
• Cad Orange
• Naphthol Red
• Asphaltum
• Brown Pink
• Quinacridone Red (helpful for spring-flowers/still life)
• Diox Purple
• Ultramarine Blue
• Payne’s Grey
• Permanent Green Lt
• Cadmium Green
• Warm White
• Titanium White
• Radiant Turquoise
• Cobalt Blue, Phthalo Blue, Phthalo Green, or Manganese Blue Hue (occassionally)

Gamblin Gamsol (odorless mineral spirits)

Gamblin Solvent Free Gel

GamVar Varnish (available in gloss, satin, or matte)

To learn how to mix with only three colors plus white, go to my Complete Color Course.

Plein air Palette.

Lori Putnam Graphite Signature Set-up. I hand-picked this neutral gray, textured finish. It is just perfect for painting outdoors. Less glare, good tone, and the surface is tough.

Shown here is the mid-sized. It is perfect. I can comfortably paint up to 20” wide on this size set-up, and have painted as large as 24” wide. It is just a little less stable.

If you want the larger one, it is also available with my Signature and finish, all made by EdgePro Gear, edgeprogear.com. If you want to order one, you need to allow about a 4-6 weeks for production time.

Price online already includes $25 special Lori Putnam discount.

The difference in the three models is size/weight:

• Small (formerly called the SketchBook): 10.5" wide / 7.25" long / 1.25" thick / 2lbs weight.
  Mixing palette size is 9.25”x5.5”. Accommodates panels up to 16” wide. A great choice for travel. I use mine for those times I want to go “unnoticed” and paint in places that you may ordinarily be allowed such as, hypothetically of course, the Roman Forum. :)

• Medium (formerly called the PassPort): 13.5” wide / 9” long / 1.25” thick / 3lbs weight.
  Mixing palette size is 12”x7.5”. Accommodates panels up to 24” wide. The slightly larger palette is the main thing I appreciate here compared to the smaller SketchBook, yet it is still a very manageable weight, especially when traveling by plane where every ounce is an issue. NOTE: This is the size I use for gouache. I remove the palette and place my gouache supplies in its place.

• Large (formerly called the PaintBook): 15.5" W / 10.5" L / 1.25" / 4lbs weight.
  Mixing palette size is 14.5”x9”. Accommodates up to 30” wide if the extra long optional slides are used. This one is the original and I still love it. Mostly used when I am traveling by car.

Yes, you will want to have the side trays and the light is great for nocturnes.

Also from EdgePro is a magnificent brush holder. I use it in my studio clipped to my easel. (Not en plein air as they intend.)

Only available at edgeprogear.com

Oil Painting Surfaces.

There are many good sources for surfaces. I prefer working on panels whenever possible, even in my studio. I like the stiffness as opposed to working on stretched canvases with “spring.”

A surface I like a lot is Classens #15dp oil linen. It is available by the roll, or pre-stretch or mounted panels. The surface is an individual preference. You should experiment to find the smoothness, amount of drag, and absorption you like best.

Available from many companies, here are a few I use and why:

RayMarArt.com — comes with several different types of backing options.  I use the gatorfoam backing. It is protective enough yet very lightweight. Enter savings code PUTNAM at checkout to save 15%.

Multi-media Artboard — The absolute lightest panel on the market. You can pack a zillion of these in the space of just a few of the others. Keep in mind that because they are so lightweight, they require a bit of special handling in getting them home if they are not dry. They do not have the structure needed to withstand pressure on the sides of any sort of flexible wet-paint carrier in a suitcase.

Windriver Arts — The most stable super-duper large panels. I can paint super large studio work on these.

A completely different surface that I dearly love is the Quick Panel that EdgePro makes.

Gouache.

I’m fairly new to gouache, but I have to say I love it! My favorite brand (so far) is M.Graham. You can find them at most retailers but the best prices I have found are through Trekell.com. These are regular gouache as opposed to the acrylic gouache. Just like with oils, the four colors listed in bold are all you really need. Of course small tubes of gouache tempt me into taking all of these:

• Primary Yellow (Hansa or cad)
• India Yellow
• Yellow Ochre
• Cad Orange
• Napthol Red
• Burnt Sienna
• Quinacridone Rose
• Diox Purple
• Ultramarine Blue
• Payne’s Grey
• Cobalt Blue
• Phthalo Blue
• Phthalo Green
• Permanent Green
• Cadmium Green
• Hooker’s Green or Sap Green
• Titanium White (large tube)

Brushes

Watercolor brushes, mostly flats, short-handle or “pocket” style.

Sizes 1/8”, 1/4”, 1/2”, 1”
Plus a few other shapes.

As for surface, I prefer these blocks by Cottonwood Arts. Because they each sheet is laminated to a thin board, they don’t warp.

I squeeze out my gouache into this sealed case.

It has a silicone seal so my paint stays wet for weeks.

I use a “wet” palette for my mixing area. Here is a popular one. These come in many different sizes and types. As long as it seals, you’re good.

For a “wet” palette, you will want these (or other brand) super thin sponges. Wet it and wring out most of the water. This goes in the bottom of your wet palette.

I use either the paper that comes with the Masterson Stay Wet Palette, or any kind of cotton, marker paper or “membrane” paper cut to size. This lays on top of the sponge and is where I mix paint. When I am finished with a paining, I throw the marker paper away and leave the wet sponge ready to wet again.

Keep a spray bottle on hand to wet the sponge a bit more if you need to.

Backpacks.

For Long Hauls:

Kelty Redwing. Mine is a 44 (litre) for long-hauls, lots of walking or hiking. Expensive but worth it.

Short Walk:

G4Free Lightweight Packable Hiking Backpack Large 40L Travel Camping Daypack Foldable Water Resistant for shorter gigs and minimal walking. Super cheap, works best when I am using the PassPort or SketchBook sized easel.

On Occasion:

I have an old shoulder injury, so occasionally, if I know rolling conditions will work, I give myself a break and use this rolling bag from Baggallini. Everything fits perfectly. They change styles from time to time, so you will need to double-check dimensions.

Tripods.

The Best Overall:

Gitzo GT0545T Series 0 Traveler Carbon Fiber Tripod at Amazon (without ball head), or B&H photo, or as part of my Graphite Ultimate Signature Kit from EdgeProGear.

This is the tripod I use. I waited a long time to have a carbon fiber tripod. If you have the budget and want the best there is, you want this. It is incredibly lightweight at only 2.8 pounds, folds down to just 14.4 inches, and is super stable at a load capacity of 22 lbs.!

Again, as usual, I do have one complaint if you buy the one that comes with the standard Gitzo standard ball head. I did that, and it is not good, and to buy their higher-end head adds a whole chunk of money to the price… unbelievably more. So, I replaced just the quick-release adapter plate parts (not the entire ball head). If you get the one listed here without the ball head, order the Manfrotto 490 listed below.

Great for a Limited Budget:

If you are on a budget, try this inexpensive Slik Sprint Pro Mini (good for anyone 5’6” or under). Works well with all of my sizes of plein air easels. To help with stability, change out the ball head using the Manfrotto one listed below.

SLIK Sprint Mini II Tripod with SBH-100DQ Ball Head - Gun Metal Finish

If you are over 5’6” then…

Taller people will want the original Slik Sprint Pro II.

This tripod is super lightweight and strong, but is not hefty enough for some people’s liking. I change out the ball head with the Manfrotto one listed below.

SLIK Sprint Pro II GM Tripod with Ballhead - Supports 4.5 lbs (2kg), Gunmetal (611-849)

Ball head for tripods: Manfrotto 490 Center Ball Head with 200LT-PL Quick Release Plate.
It is easy to replace the one that automatically comes on the easel, or add it to a tripod that has none to begin with.

If you are only looking for quick-release adapter parts, here ya go. This and an Allen Wrench and you’re all set.

Brushes and Tools.

I use a combination of synthetic and natural hair brushes to achieve different shapes and edges when painting in oil.

The following link will take you to a list of my favorite, personalized sets.

There is also a new line called “Red Dot” which I am experimenting with at the moment. I’m really liking them, especially the long flats and angulars.

For my gouache, I use Rosemary too!

Brush Care:

This is the best stuff for getting my Rosemary Brushes clean and reshaping them. Click on the images to purchase at Trekell.com.

Additionally, I have several styles of palette knives, scrapers, and colour shapers available at www.dickblick.com and other retailers.  Some of my favorites, especially for the studio, are these brand-new ones by Gamblin. I love the way they stand up on the end.

As for lightweight and just plain lovely, these are the best, handmade in

Oakblade tube-handled painters palette knives

Made by hand in Canada by Ray Oak Hyder. Engraver, Goldsmith, Knifemaker. I LOVE these!

Buy online at oakblade.com.Click here to start exploring.Click here to start exploring.Click here to start exploring.
Click here to start exploring.

Grayscale Markers

By having both of these markers, I can have a lot of choices when making my sketches. One is two darker values, and one is two lighter values. I love the brush shape too. The least expensive ones I have found are available at DickBlick.com

Sketchbook

Newly Designed for 2023!

Mixed Media Paper

I often use these types of pads for working up color and value sketches. They are an inexpensive way to plan paintings.

Fun Painting Tools:

Knockdown Knife and Rubber Brayer along with various scrapers make interesting tools for painting.

Wet-Painting Carriers.

Two kinds I find useful. Click the links to see which works better for you.

Raymar Art enter savings code PUTNAM at checkout to save 15%.

Panel Pak

Paint Transport.

These little things are amazing and they keep your paint tubes from puncturing each other during transport.

Dagmar Solutions Paint Tube Carriers

Plein air Umbrella.

Almost 100% of the time I use the BestBrella. Unfortunately, they have just stopped making it! Watch this space for a new one coming soon.

A more lightweight and compact option that I use sometimes is the Multi-mount umbrella. It isn’t as sturdy, but it is much more compact.

I am currently testing a new umbrella. Watch this space for info!

Studio-Specific Equipment.

For my 60th birthday, I treated myself to a new easel. Its’ the Hughes Easel 4080.

I have to say this taboret is awesome too and inexpensive compared to “artist taborets” you will find. It is really a tool chest/workbench from Seville Classics. It is like it was designed for this. They also make a smaller version.

My studio has natural north lighting. I prefer not to work by artificial light unless I have to do so. When I do use artificial light, I use these from Viltrox. They have temperature adjustment from 3300k-5600k and are dimmable.

My only complaint with these is that the connection between the stand and the light itself is plastic. I’m currently looking for a new, sturdier piece to replace that part. Stay tuned!

Miscellaneous.

Ulanzi iPad/Tablet Tripod Mount Holder

I have one of these to paint from my iPad, and to video with my iPad or iPhone.

White Balance Card

While you can certainly purchase larger ones, I find this handy, pocket-sized card perfect for me because I can take it with me when I travel. I use it to color correct photos of paintings. To see how I use it, go to https://nitty-grittyvideos.vhx.tv/videos/using-a-white-balance-card.

Check prices at B&H Photo or buy on Amazon below.

Miscellaneous.

HEROCLIP Carabiner Clip and Hook. I use this clip on my tripod and hang my backpack from it.

Downloadable Travel Documents

TSA Label for Traveling with Paints

Lori’s Personal Packing List