Resources & FAQs

Information about my recommended supplies and materials, answers to frequently asked questions, and more!

Oil Painting Questions

Gouache Painting Questions

  • I use Vasari Classic Artists’ Oil Colors:

    Cadmium Yellow Lemon
    Cad Yellow Deep
    Yellow Ochre
    Italian Venetian Red
    Permanent Bright Red
    Ruby Violet
    Cobalt Blue
    Ultramarine Blue
    Viridian
    Rosebud
    A Set of Color and Light: Bluff, Shiprock, Adobe, Bice, Shale, Jasper, Silver Point, Cedar

    I also like Michael Harding oil paint.

  • I use a variety of surfaces and suppliers for my oil paintings.

    I like Centurion panels in oil primed and universal, Raymar single oil primed #15 linen panels, and Wind River Arts multimedia panels for travel and plein air. 

  • I use Rosemary & Co brushes, and have an assortment of Ivory synthetic and bristle brushes.

  • I use Winsor & Newton gouache paint. I love a large palette for gouache. I often use gouache for plein air work these days because it is so portable and light and dries quickly.

    Here is my palette:

    Cad yellow lemon
    Cad yellow light (warm primary yellow)
    Yellow Ochre
    Marigold Yellow
    Cadmium Scarlet or Cad Red Light
    Permanent Alizarin Crimson
    Permanent Magenta or Quinacrodone Rose
    Dioxyzine Violet
    Ultramarine Blue
    Cobalt Blue
    Cerulean Blue
    Cyprus Green
    Cobalt Turquoise Light
    Permanent Deep Green (pthalo green)
    Chromium Oxide Green
    Sap Green
    Burnt Sienna
    Red Ochre
    Perylene Violet
    Middle value neutral grey

    Zinc White for mixing and Titanium White for highlights

  • I use this storage palette (get it on Amazon) to keep my colors fresh and moist. I spray them with water once a week.     

  • In very dry climates like New Mexico, gouache can dry so quickly that it becomes difficult to work with—sometimes drying on the mixing tray or brush before even reaching the paper. To solve this, I use Winsor & Newton Watercolor Blending Medium, which helps retain moisture and slows the drying process. I’ve tested it extensively and found it works beautifully.

    If your gouache dries too quickly in your palette, you can add the medium directly to the paints. The drier the air, the more medium you’ll need. A ratio of about 1 part medium to 4–5 parts gouache works well. I typically add 10–15 drops into each well of my palette (most about two-thirds full), then stir thoroughly with a clean toothpick for each color. Precision isn’t essential—the goal is simply to extend the working time of the paints and keep them fresh.

  • I have a few go-tos for gouache:

    • High quality watercolor paper that is at least 140lb/300gsm.

    • Moleskine Watercolor notebook

    • Illustration panels

    • Kraft paper

  • Medium hard synthetic brushes work well for gouache.

    Raphael Precision brushes 8534 in sizes 6, 10 and 12, and 8524 in sizes 4,2 and 0. I’ve used larger sizes of brushes for bigger paintings. There are many other good brands of synthetic short-handled brushes that work great with gouache. Experiment and find what suits you.

  • I like the Martin Universal Palette - shop here on Amazon

General Questions

  • You can find my available works through my website here.

    I also have a featured selection of works available through Legends of the West Gallery in Santa Fe, NM.

    Thanks so much for your support!

  • Albuquerque, New Mexico!

  • Please reach out here to inquire.

  • Yes, I do teach workshops. Make sure you’re on my newsletter list to receive updates about upcoming events.

  • I highly recommend Scott Christensen’s Adventure of Painting Signature Course!

  • Contact me through my website here!

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