• Select the Medium for Your Paintings

• Choose the Right Brushes for Your Paintings

• Pick the Perfect Painting Supports & Accessories

• Explore Airbrush Paintings

• Find Painting Supplies on eBay Australia

• Buy Painting Supplies With Confidence

• Need More Help?

• Legal Disclaimer

Select the Medium for Your Paintings

Select the Medium for Your Paintings

Every type of paint, or medium, has its own strengths and qualities. You can also combine different paints to work in mixed media. When just starting out, a couple of relatively inexpensive options to consider are acrylic paints and watercolour paints.

Select your medium based on what you wish to achieve, and where you plan to do your work. For example, if you are more interested in traditional styles, try oil paint. If you decide to work outdoors, watercolours require few materials to get started and can easily be used outside.

Acrylic paints

Acrylic paint has several advantages. Based on a synthetic resin, it is quick-drying and resists the effects of aging. Once it has dried, it becomes waterproof, so you can easily paint on many layers.

To create different effects, vary the thickness of the paint: a thick consistency is known as impasto, while paint that has been thinned with water creates a transparent wash. Clean any paint brushes dipped in acrylic paint with water.

Acrylic paints are available in tubes and jars; tubes have thicker consistency, while the paint in jars is more fluid. Consider buying a mixture of higher-quality professional paints (for your primary colours) and lower-quality student paints as you learn what painting techniques you enjoy.

Special acrylics have shiny, iridescent or fluorescent tones. Think about starting with acrylics from the same manufacturer, since various acrylic paints have different compositions and might not work as well together.

Watercolour paints

Watercolours have a subtle, transparent nature and fluidity that can create some captivating effects. Watercolours require minimal equipment to start: just a paint brush, paper, paint box, and container of water.

You can buy watercolours in pans, blocks, or tubes. Tubes hold more paint, so they are useful when painting large areas. Watercolours are mixed with water to change their consistency, and paint brushes are cleaned with water.

Oil paints

Oil paint is extremely versatile and can be applied in smooth washes or in thick, textured layers. It was probably developed during the early Renaissance, and has been a favourite by many artists throughout the ages.

Oil paints typically come in tubes and unlike acrylic paints, oil paint has a slow drying period. This allows changes to be made as the paint dries and reaches different consistencies. Recent times has seen the creation of water-mixable oil paints, which can be diluted and cleaned with water.

You may wish to purchase artist oils as they are only a little more expensive than student oils. Oil paints are often classified by their hue, opacity, and permanence.

Paint thinner is used to clean paint brushes and dilute oil paint. The traditional thinner used with oil is turpentine. Look for artist-quality thinner, which is not the same as turpentine found in hardware stores.

Gouache paints

Gouache paints are opaque watercolours with a high proportion of pigment. Gouache paint is available in a vast range of colours and comes in tubes, jars, or bottles. Use gouache paints to create solid and bold colours or softer, lighter effects. By mixing the paint with water you can also create a softer tone, while mixing it with white paint produces thick, bright colours.

Choose the Right Brushes for Your Paintings

Choose the Right Brushes for Your Paintings

Paint brushes are typically made up of three parts: the handle, ferrule, and tuft. The tuft is the bristly end of the brush that is used to apply the paint while the ferrule is the piece that connects the handle and the tuft.

Paint brush tufts come in different shapes, including round, pointed round, flat, mop, fan, extender, scriptliner, and more. Tufts are created from materials such as:

• Kolinsky sable: Top-quality paint brushes are made from this soft and pliant mink tail hair.

• Sabeline: Often used with watercolours this tuft is made from light ox hair or camel hair, and acts as a substitute for the top-quality sable.    

• Hog bristles : Split at the ends and are suitable for oil paint or other heavy paints.

• Synthetic: Sometimes mixed with natural hair.

Top quality paint brushes have nickel-plated ferrules that are securely joined to the handle with double-crimping. Hardwood handles should be lacquered or enameled.   

Some ideal brushes for various mediums include:

• Acrylic paint: Use sable brushes or the Sabeline alternatives. If you only get two brushes, start with a round one with a tuft about 1.25cm long for details, and a larger flat brush for working with larger areas.

• Oil paint: Thick-bristle, hog-hair brushes are ideal for thick applications, and sable brushes or one of its substitutes for thinner washes. To see which head shape your prefer, experiment with different brushes.

• Watercolours: Sable brushes are recommended, but if you are looking for a cost-effective alternative, purchase a high-quality synthetic brush.

Pick the Perfect Painting Supports & Accessories

Pick the Perfect Painting Supports & Accessories

Depending on the type of artwork you intend to create, you may have different needs for painting supports. For example, you can choose between canvas or paper, based on the effect you want to achieve and how you want to display the piece.

Note that if you are working with oil paints, you should prime the backing before applying paint unless you get a pre-primed backing. Oil primers are a good choice, and acrylic primers will work as well.

Common types of painting supports are:

• Canvas: This is the most common painting support. Linen canvas has a fine grain and is considered the best material. Cotton canvas is a good, inexpensive alternative. Save yourself some money by buying canvas and stretch, and priming it yourself. Pre-primed and stretched canvas is also available. For best results, ensure you use oil-primed canvas for oil paintings, and acrylic-primed canvas for acrylic paintings. You may also want to buy an easel to support the canvas.    

• Canvas boards: Canvas board is simply canvas mounted on boards and panels. These boards are a good choice for beginners, and as they are lightweight, are easy to use outdoors.    

• Paper: For watercolours, you can paint on any watercolour pad, block, or loose paper. It is ideal to use paper with a weight of 140 or more. If you want to keep your artwork for a long time, then buy archival-quality watercolour paper. Pastels can be applied to a variety of surfaces with pastel paper or pastel board available in various colours and textures. Heavy watercolour paper or handmade Indian paper is suitable for oil and acrylic painting.Otherwise, consider obtaining some oil painting paper or acrylic sketching paper.

• Masonite: Masonite is a strong material that is rough on one side and smooth on the other. While the smooth side is usually used for painting, the rough side may be used to paint thick impastos. Purchase tempered masonite for oil painting, and untempered masonite for acrylic painting.     

• Illustration board: Illustration boards are available in a range of colours and are suitable for acrylic and gouache paintings. Check out museum boards, which last the longest.

Other art supplies you may want to add to your artist toolkit include:

• Palettes: Different types of palettes are designed to hold various amounts and consistencies of paint. Recessed palettes can be used for thin paints, such as watercolours. Traditional thumbhole palettes can be supported on one arm. Integral palettes function both as a paint storage container and as a palette. Disposable palettes and stay-wet palettes, which keep the paint moist, are a possibility for acrylics.

• Mediums: Mediums are liquids that are mixed with paint to dilute the colour, decrease the drying time, or to create special effects. Linseed oil is one medium that is often used with oil paint but other special oil painting mediums are also available. Water and acrylic medium are two common mediums used with acrylic paints. Water is also used for watercolours; mediums like aquapasto or gum arabic are used to add effects to watercolours.

• Varnish: Consider applying some glossy varnish or matte varnish to protect your finished painting.

• Instructional aids: If you want to improve your painting skills, consider getting yourself a instructional painting video or DVD or book, guide or manual.

Explore Airbrush Paintings

Explore Airbrush Paintings

For a fun and versatile form of painting, why not try your hand at airbrushing? You will only need a few supplies to get started and you can apply your airbrush to everything from T-shirts and ceramics to canvas.

Decide first of all whether you want to buy a single-action or double-action airbrush:

• Single-action airbrushes: With a single-action airbrush, the paint is deposited as a fine mist on the surface.

• Double-action airbrushes: Double-action airbrushes allow you to control the amount of paint that is distributed, as well as the amount of air that is siphoned.

Gravity-fed airbrushes deliver paint faster than siphon-fed brushes, and allow for quicker colour changes. Siphon-fed airbrushes are capable of holding a larger quantity of paint.

Internal brushes mix the paint internally, providing a fine mist. However, select an external brush if you want a brush that is easy to maintain. Look for an airbrush with a hose attachment. Ensure you also buy compressed air or another air source, and special airbrush paints.

Water can be used to dilute paint to the proper consistency; use airbrush mediums if you want to make a thin mixture. Clean your airbrush by applying a solvent. For safety purposes, use a spray booth and wear a dust mask when using your airbrush.

Find Painting Supplies on eBay Australia

Find Painting Supplies on eBay Australia

Once you know what type of painting supplies you want, go to the Crafts portal, click Art Supplies and then Painting, and start searching for item listings on eBay Australia.

• Categories: The Categories list on the left side of each page will help you narrow down your listings by item type. For example, under Art Supplies you will find links for Books, Guides, Manuals, Drawing, Hobbytex, Painting and Other Art Supplies. 

• Keyword search: Search eBay Australia listing titles for specific words. For example, if you want to find Winsor & Newton paints, type "Winsor Newton" (without quotation marks) into the Search box. Click "Search title and description" to expand your results. Visit eBay Australia's Search Tips page for more tips on searching with keywords.

If you can't find exactly what you want, try shopping eBay Stores, tell the eBay Australia Community what you want by creating a post on Want It Now, or save a search on My eBay and eBay Australia will email you when a match becomes available.

Buy Painting Supplies With Confidence

Buy Painting Supplies With Confidence

Before making your purchase, make sure you know exactly what you're buying, research your seller, and understand how eBay Australia and PayPal protect you.

Know your purchase

Carefully read the details in item listings.

• Figure delivery costs into your final price. If you spend a lot of money, make sure the seller will insure the item when it ships.

• If you want more information, ask by clicking the "Ask seller a question" link under the seller's profile.

• Always make sure to complete your transaction on eBay Australia (with a bid, Buy It Now, or Best Offer). Transactions conducted outside of eBay Australia are not covered by eBay Australia protection programs.

• Never pay for your eBay Australia item using instant cash wire transfer services through Western Union or MoneyGram. These payment methods are unsafe when paying someone you do not know.

Know your seller

Research your seller so you feel positive and secure about every transaction.

• What is the seller's Feedback rating? How many transactions have they completed? What percentage of positive responses do they have?

• What do buyers say in their Feedback? Did the seller receive praise?

• Most top eBay Australia sellers operate like retail stores and have return policies. Do they offer a money-back guarantee? What are the terms and conditions?

Buyer protection

In the unlikely event that a problem arises during your transaction, eBay Australia and PayPal are there for you.

• Pay safely with PayPal: PayPal enables you to pay without the seller ever seeing your bank account or credit card numbers. In fact, PayPal protects buyers 100% against unauthorised payments from their accounts. Plus, with PayPal Buyer Protection, your purchase can be covered up to $1,500.

• eBay Australia Security & Resolution Centre: Visit the Security & Resolution Centre to learn how to protect your account and use eBay Australia's quick and efficient resolution tools.

Need More Help?

Need More Help?

Visit our help pages or start a thread on one of our Community Discussion Boards - If you have a quick question that needs answering, try posting it on our community Answer Centre - there's bound to be a seasoned eBay Australia veteran with just the information you're looking for!

Legal Disclaimer

Legal Disclaimer

Buying Guides are intended merely as a guide or review for members when considering what products or services they may be interested in bidding on or purchasing. eBay does not make, and nothing in these Buying Guides is intended to constitute, any warranties, guarantees, representations or assurances about the accuracy of the information or content contained in these Buying Guides. Furthermore, eBay does not make, and nothing in these Buying Guides is intended to constitute, any warranties, guarantees, representations or assurances about the nature or performance of the products or services appearing in the Buying Guides. Content, trademarks and brands referred to and contained in the third-party links provided are the property of their respective owners, and eBay has no control over and accepts no responsibility for their content. eBay is not affiliated with nor does it endorse the use of any particular product or service.