both of sable and bristles, are used, but we would advise a beginner to work with bristle brushes only, for the first attempt should be to obtain a broad style of painting, without the finished details which the sable brushes are used for.
About four different sizes of flat bristle brushes are needed to commence with; there should be two of each size, the largest one inch wide, and the smallest not more than a quarter of an inch in width.
The Palette-Knife
is used for taking up color on the palette, for cleaning the palette, and sometimes for scraping a picture after its first painting. It should be flexible, but not too limber. The cost will be from twenty-five cents upward.
Oil-Cups
are fastened on to the palette, and are used for oil and turpentine. The double ones range in price from eight cents to twenty. The single ones, without cover, can be bought for five cents.
A Paint-Box
for holding colors, palette, and brushes will cost from one dollar and twenty-five cents up. It is convenient to have one, and necessary when going out sketching, but for painting at home any kind of tin box will answer for the paints. The palette can be hung up, and the brushes put in a vase or jar, handles downward, which will keep them nicely.
Mediums.
Boiled linseed-oil or poppy-oil, siccatif Courtray, and turpentine.