Choose a course-specific materials pack for a ready-made starting kit, shop individual drawing and painting supplies, or bring your existing materials to a free consultation if you are still unsure.
Art Materials FAQ: What’s Provided and What to Bring
ART MATERIALS - FAQ
Everything You Need to Know About Materials and What to Bring
ART MATERIALS - FAQ
Everything You Need to Know About Materials and What to Bring
Wondering whether you need to buy paints, brushes or a canvas before your first lesson at our Covent Garden studio? This FAQ explains exactly what Sunny Art Centre provides, what you bring yourself, and what a beginner needs for oil, acrylic, watercolour, drawing and life drawing. Every course also comes with a recommended materials list, so you will never have to guess.
Course-Specific Art Materials Packs
Do you sell art materials packs designed for Sunny Art Centre courses?
Yes. Sunny Art Centre offers complete art materials packs designed specifically to support our drawing and painting courses. Each pack contains a practical selection of materials for the relevant medium, so beginners do not have to choose every paint, pencil, brush and accessory separately.
After purchasing a pack, your tutor introduces the materials and explains how they are used as they become relevant. View all course materials packs.
Which course materials packs are available?
We currently offer:
- Drawing Materials Pack
- Oil Painting Materials Pack
- Acrylic Painting Materials Pack
- Watercolour Painting Materials Pack
- Online Art Course Equipment Pack
The exact contents, prices and availability are displayed on the live art materials packs page. Students who already own suitable supplies can use their existing materials instead, provided they meet the course requirements.
Which materials pack should I choose?
Choose the pack that matches the main medium you will study — the Drawing Pack for drawing lessons, the Oil Painting Pack for oil lessons, the Acrylic Painting Pack for acrylic lessons and the Watercolour Pack for watercolour lessons.
Choose the Online Art Course Pack when you need equipment to position your artwork and device during live online tuition. Students planning to study more than one medium should ask the office or tutor which pack to buy first.
Choose the Online Art Course Pack when you need equipment to position your artwork and device during live online tuition. Students planning to study more than one medium should ask the office or tutor which pack to buy first.
What is included in the Drawing Materials Pack?
The Drawing Materials Pack currently includes six graphite pencils in different grades, three charcoal pencils (soft, medium and hard), a white charcoal pencil, an A4 sketchbook, a pencil extender, a standard eraser, a putty or kneadable eraser and paper blending stumps in different sizes.
It supports observational drawing, line, proportion, shading, tonal values and charcoal techniques. View the Drawing Materials Pack.
What is included in the Oil Painting Materials Pack?
The Oil Painting Materials Pack currently includes a Winsor & Newton Winton oil-colour set, a portable table easel box, a wooden palette, a practice canvas, flat brushes and palette knives in different sizes, linseed oil, painting solvents and cleaning products, an oil brush washer, oil containers, an A4 sketchbook, charcoal pencils and a painting apron.
Always check the written product description before purchasing, as contents, brands and availability may change. View the Oil Painting Materials Pack.
What is included in the Acrylic Painting Materials Pack?
The Acrylic Painting Materials Pack currently includes a Winsor & Newton acrylic-colour set, an acrylic palette, two practice canvases, painting brushes in different sizes, a paintbrush case, a water bucket, a painting apron, an A4 sketchbook and charcoal pencils for preparatory drawing.
It supports colour mixing, brush control, layering, blending and observational acrylic painting. View the Acrylic Painting Materials Pack.
What is included in the Watercolour Painting Materials Pack?
The Watercolour Painting Materials Pack currently includes a Winsor & Newton Cotman watercolour set, a watercolour mixing palette, round watercolour brushes in different sizes, a watercolour-paper sketchbook, a water container, a painting apron, graphite pencils and a drawing eraser.
It provides the principal materials for colour mixing, washes, water control, layering and watercolour techniques. View the Watercolour Painting Materials Pack.
What is included in the Online Art Course Equipment Pack?
The Online Art Course Pack helps students create a practical setup for live online tuition. It currently includes a lightweight adjustable aluminium easel, a wooden drawing board, a flexible phone arm and clips for securing a sketchbook or practice canvas.
It positions the artwork and camera so the tutor can see your working process clearly. It does not replace the drawing or painting supplies for your medium — an online student may need both. View the Online Art Course Equipment Pack.
What the Studio Provides
Are art materials included in Sunny Art Centre courses?
Materials are not generally included unless the individual course or package description clearly says so. Students normally bring their own consumable supplies or purchase the appropriate course pack.
Selected larger packages, holiday programmes, masterclasses or bespoke courses may include materials, so always check the exact offer before purchasing.
Selected larger packages, holiday programmes, masterclasses or bespoke courses may include materials, so always check the exact offer before purchasing.
What equipment does Sunny Art Centre provide?
Sunny Art Centre provides the basic furniture and equipment for studio teaching, including easels, tables, chairs and teaching space, along with tutor demonstrations and guidance.
Students normally provide their own consumable supplies — paints, pencils, brushes, paper, canvas and personal painting accessories. Easels are provided, so you do not need to transport your own unless you require a specialist setup agreed in advance.
Students normally provide their own consumable supplies — paints, pencils, brushes, paper, canvas and personal painting accessories. Easels are provided, so you do not need to transport your own unless you require a specialist setup agreed in advance.
Do I need to buy every specialist item before my first lesson?
No. Begin with the essential materials listed for your first class, or purchase the relevant course pack. Specialist colours, mediums, brushes and surfaces can often be added gradually as your projects become more advanced.
This helps beginners avoid buying expensive items they may not need immediately.
This helps beginners avoid buying expensive items they may not need immediately.
Can I bring art materials that I already own?
Yes. You are welcome to use materials you already own, provided they are suitable for your chosen course. Bring the materials list when checking your existing supplies.
The tutor may recommend replacing an item if it is unsuitable, damaged or likely to make a technique unnecessarily difficult.
The tutor may recommend replacing an item if it is unsuitable, damaged or likely to make a technique unnecessarily difficult.
Drawing Materials
What materials do I need for a beginner drawing class?
A beginner drawing kit may include graphite pencils in several grades, charcoal pencils, a standard eraser, a putty or kneadable eraser, a pencil sharpener, drawing paper or a sketchbook, blending stumps and a drawing board with tape or clips where required.
The Drawing Materials Pack contains a practical selection designed for the course.
What is the difference between HB, B, 2B, 4B and 6B pencils?
The grade indicates the hardness and darkness of the graphite:
- HB — light construction, outlines and general sketching
- B — slightly softer and darker
- 2B — general drawing and tonal shading
- 4B — richer, darker tones
- 6B — very soft, for deep shadows and expressive marks
Using several grades lets you develop a wider tonal range without pressing excessively hard.
Should I begin with graphite or charcoal?
Graphite is controlled, clean and well suited to detailed drawing, measuring and gradual tonal work. Charcoal creates broader, darker and more expressive marks and is particularly useful for life drawing, larger studies and strong light-and-shadow effects.
Your tutor may introduce one medium first before moving to the other.
Your tutor may introduce one medium first before moving to the other.
What materials do I need for life drawing?
A basic life-drawing kit may include a sketchbook or loose drawing paper, graphite pencils, charcoal pencils or sticks, a putty eraser, a standard eraser, a sharpener, and masking tape or clips with a drawing board where required. Students developing a sustained long-pose study may prefer a larger sheet of paper.
See our life drawing and figure painting course information for details.
Oil-Painting Materials
What materials do I need for a beginner oil-painting class?
A basic oil-painting setup may include oil paints, suitable brushes, a palette, palette knives, canvas or canvas board, charcoal or pencils for preparatory drawing, linseed oil or another approved medium, approved cleaning products, medium containers, a brush washer, cloths or kitchen roll and protective clothing.
The Oil Painting Materials Pack provides a prepared starting kit.
Which oil-paint colours should a beginner buy?
Beginners normally benefit from a balanced palette containing white, warm and cool yellows, reds, blues, earth colours, selected greens and a dark neutral colour.
The exact colours depend on the course and project, so purchasing the course pack helps ensure you begin with a suitable range.
The exact colours depend on the course and project, so purchasing the course pack helps ensure you begin with a suitable range.
What type of brushes should I use for oil painting?
Oil painters commonly use flat, filbert, round and bristle brushes in several sizes. Larger brushes are useful for broad areas and initial layers, while smaller brushes suit details and controlled edges.
Your tutor will explain which brush shape and size is suitable for each stage.
Your tutor will explain which brush shape and size is suitable for each stage.
Are oil-painting solvents allowed in the studio?
Students should use only appropriate products and follow the tutor’s studio instructions. Keep containers closed when not in use, avoid unnecessary quantities, and never pour solvents or oil-painting residue into sinks.
Contact the office before attending if you have allergies, sensitivities or concerns about painting products.
Contact the office before attending if you have allergies, sensitivities or concerns about painting products.
Acrylic and Watercolour Materials
What materials do I need for an acrylic-painting class?
A beginner acrylic kit may include acrylic paints, suitable synthetic or acrylic brushes, a palette, canvas, canvas board or acrylic paper, a water container, a cloth or kitchen roll, charcoal or pencils for preparatory drawing, a sketchbook and an apron.
The Acrylic Painting Materials Pack includes a prepared selection.
How do I stop acrylic paint drying too quickly?
Acrylic paint dries as its water content evaporates. You can manage this by mixing suitable quantities, organising your palette before painting, using a wet palette, lightly misting the palette where appropriate, working in planned stages and using a suitable slow-drying medium when instructed.
What materials do I need for a beginner watercolour class?
A beginner watercolour kit may include watercolour paints, round watercolour brushes, watercolour paper or a watercolour sketchbook, a mixing palette, a water container, graphite pencils, an eraser, tissues or kitchen roll and an apron.
The Watercolour Painting Materials Pack provides a prepared starting selection.
What type of paper should I use for watercolour?
Use paper specifically designed for watercolour, which is made to tolerate moisture and repeated layers far better than ordinary drawing or printer paper. Paper of approximately 300gsm is a practical option for many beginners.
The surface texture and paper type also matter, so check that the paper is intended for your chosen technique.
The surface texture and paper type also matter, so check that the paper is intended for your chosen technique.
What is the difference between hot-pressed and cold-pressed paper?
Hot-pressed paper has a smoother surface and suits fine detail and controlled applications. Cold-pressed paper has a lightly textured surface and is a versatile option for washes, general painting and varied brushwork.
Your tutor can recommend a paper according to your subject and painting style.
Your tutor can recommend a paper according to your subject and painting style.
Buying and Caring for Materials
Can I buy individual supplies instead of a complete pack?
Yes. You can purchase selected pencils, paints, brushes, paper, canvases and accessories individually — useful when you already own most of the required equipment or need to replace a particular item.
Browse drawing materials and replacement supplies and painting materials and replacement supplies.
Can I buy materials at the Covent Garden studio?
Selected materials may be available at the studio, subject to stock. Studio stock may be more limited than the online selection, so do not assume that every colour, brush, canvas size or specialist product will be available immediately before class.
Order in advance when you require a specific item, and check the live product page before ordering or travelling.
Order in advance when you require a specific item, and check the live product page before ordering or travelling.
What happens if I forget my materials or run out during class?
Tell the tutor or office as soon as possible. Selected items may be available to purchase at the studio, but stock cannot be guaranteed, and you should not rely on borrowing studio supplies or another student’s materials.
Pack your materials before each class using the course list so you arrive ready to work.
Pack your materials before each class using the course list so you arrive ready to work.
How much should a beginner expect to spend on art materials?
The cost depends on the medium — drawing needs only pencils and paper, while oil or acrylic painting needs paints, brushes and a canvas. Your course’s recommended materials list shows exactly what to buy, so you only pay for what you need.
You can also buy individual items or a ready-made course pack rather than assembling a full set yourself.
You can also buy individual items or a ready-made course pack rather than assembling a full set yourself.
What should I wear to an art class?
Wear comfortable clothing that you do not mind marking with paint, charcoal or other materials. An apron or protective clothing is strongly recommended, particularly for oil and acrylic painting.
Sunny Art Centre cannot guarantee that art materials will wash out of clothing.
Sunny Art Centre cannot guarantee that art materials will wash out of clothing.
Materials for Different Courses
What materials do children and teenagers need?
The requirements depend on the course package and whether the student is studying drawing, watercolour or acrylic painting. Some larger children’s packages and holiday programmes may include materials, while others require students to bring their own supplies.
Parents should check the exact package description before purchasing.
Parents should check the exact package description before purchasing.
What materials do I need for live online tuition?
Online students need the drawing or painting materials for their chosen medium, a suitable working surface, good lighting, a reliable device and internet connection, and a camera position that lets the tutor see the work and the student’s hands.
The Online Art Course Equipment Pack can help create an effective camera and artwork setup.
