By no means a definitive guide, simply some tips and initial ideas on some of the hundreds of options available when it comes to making a painting - please contact us if you have any enquiries about a specific product or project. In the meantime here's a snapshot of some ideas and options along the way...
Support options
We currently offer a bespoke canvas-making service - for information and
a quote for a special project contact us. We also sell readymade 'Sanchita
boards' and small canvasses (including deep profiles) or linen and canvas
by the metre or by the roll so
you can stretch your own.
Ground
We stock acrylic primer, size and gesso (available in sizes from 500ml jars up to 5 litre buckets), or the materials to make your own (rabbit skin glue and whiting).
If you're using primer Lascaux's synthetic varnish brushes are a great
way to apply thin coats.
If you want a smoother, more absorbent surface Lascaux's Structura can be added to acrylic gesso to make it easier to sand, and gives a smoother, more paper-like, absorbent surface.
For a coloured ground Lascaux Studio Acrylic colours can be very effective
- acrylics or oils can be painted directly on top of these.
Uni-primer can be used if you're painting on less flexible supports, e.g.
aluminium, to provide a crisp, white ground. Or if you're using aluminium
and want to see the aluminium colour below try applying Lascaux's clear
fixative onto the degreased surface before you start painting.
Paint, mediums and varnishes
We stock Lascaux acrylics, watercolours from Blockx (in pans) and MIR
(in tubes), and top quality oil paints from Sax, Blockx and MIR.
Lascaux's Aquacryl colours are beautiful for glazing techniques - Lascaux's
medium 1 (gloss) or 3 (satin) can be mixed with the colours to produce
different effects.
Acrylic gloss mediums and impasto gels are a great way to gain a rich,
luscious look usually associated with oil painting.
To make your own paint up from Kremer's dry pigments you can use a variety
of mediums - for oils start with trying linseed oil, or to make acrylic
colours from pigment mix Kremer's pigments or colour concentrates with
Lascaux's Water resoluble medium (to give a matt, dry effect), or choose
a Plextol or Primal AC as a binder.
For oils we stock a range of mediums by MIR, LUKAS and Kremer. Lukas Medium
4 is a popular quick-drying medium for oils that extends the colour and
gives a gloss finish (or if used in higher quantites an enamel-like effect).
LUKAS also makes spray varnishes (in gloss, matt or satin finishes) that
can be used on oil paintings or sculptures.
Acrylic varnishes available include Lascaux's UV varnish, and gloss, matt or satin 'transparentlack'.
Lascaux's paraloid-based, clear spray fixative can be used to fix gouache or watercolour paintings in addition to drawings.
After care and storage
To clean oils or acrylics from paintbrushes marseilles soap is a great
alternative to harsher products. A gel can be made up from flakes and
boiling water, and can be reused if kept in an air-tight pot. (We supply
a range of plastic pots and glass jars too).
Other products available
Above is an introduction to the many products and ranges we stock - including Lascaux's water-based screenprinting system - please browse our catalogues or contact us for any further information or specific product enquiries.
Alternatively come and see what we have in store: View
map and directions to London shop >
Please note: Care must be taken to
ensure that safe working practices are observed at all times.
AP Fitzpatrick's cannot be held responsible for consequences of abuse
or misuse. Users should satisfy themselves of the technical stability
of formulas and their stability for intended use.
We make every effort to offer a full adisory service, but cannot be held
responsible for any accidents, harm or failings.
