Art Things I Like

I wanted to make a post of what materials or equipment I like to use. This may be a post that gets amended depending on things that come out or my exposure to different methods or materials.

My Preferences -

Acrylic paint - I like acrylic paint because it is fast drying, has bright colors and I don't need to wait
                        for 6 months to varnish. I prefer that my colors are opaque but am experimenting with
                        glazes for different effects. I do like Utrecht but M. Graham is nice too.  I tend to not
                        make as much mess of it on myself and things like I do the oil. Not a big fan of
                        Liquitex since I have had quite a few tubes that have separated the medium from the
                        pigment but I do like their Sap Green.

Varnish - I like matte to  satin varnish and mediums

Brushes - don't have a preference brand. I tend to use more flats, angled and some small rounds

Surfaces - I like using the stiff paper - the 300lb CP.. My favorite was the Arches Art Board but that                     has been discontinued by Blick. I have tried illustration board. What I like is that it can be                   cut  size and pop in a frame or it can be matted. I also like that the paint seems to give me
                 better coverage than primed canvas. I don't need to do all the layers to thicken up the color.

                 canvas - my preference is to stretch and prime my own. There is a special feel to it that the
                 store bought doesn't give you. It feels like it is already your painting from the moment you
                 put your first brush stroke on it. It doesn't feel as slippery.
           
                boards - I have used a few boards for plein air, but I don't like the slick ones. I like a little
               "tooth" or texture on the board. It does not have to have as much  as canvas though.

Palette - I have made my own set-up. That will be on a different post. I have an 11x14" board that I
              have paint cups and a small Masterson's palette. This uses the disposable palette.

Easle - For  now I am using a tabletop one when I am home and a black telescoping one when I am
            away. The telescoping allows me to adjust for terrain. I will also post my plein air set up. I
            think things are different than a set up for oil.

Rags - cloth rags, paper towels when out.

Pencils - I have been using a water-soluble pencil for value sketches and drawings. I have a brand
               that comes in different softness and hardnesses. I can draw/sketch with those and use a
               paintbrush dipped in water to blend and create value. I really don't have to draw much but
               rather a little more with a darker pencil to get some darkest shadows.

Prints - I love lots of art things so it has been hard to limit things. I do like linocuts and use the oil-
             based ink and linoleum. I also like silk-screen printing and do that with children when I
             teach.

Some things I want to try - There is the Chroma Atillier Interactive Paint that seems interesting. 
            I think I also want to get some clear medium so there is not that color-shift when dry and
            that seems to be put out by Windsor and Newton and Chroma. I had bought some of the
            Golden Open paint and did a quick experiment and it felt tacky but need to spend some
            time with it to see it's full potential.

If you know of anything else I might like to experiment with please let me know!