My Art Studio Essentials 

“Ooop, different angle” lol I really like these kind of videos! I’d love to see your favorite paintings, photos or drawings you’ve done in the past.

I work on a computer all day, so nothing like you do. But I have to agree having those perfect small things you've found along the journey are key to enjoying your work. One of the simplest ones for me has been a small Braun alarm clock next to my screen, nothing better than telling the time the old fashioned way

Love your sense of humor 😆 thank you so much for sharing this. I’m definitely going to try some of these.

I recommend the book "The New Oil Painting" by Kimberly Brooks. It really positively changed the way I paint with oil paints and showed me how to pait without using turpentine.

Miss Cormier, I'm impressed - you have your priorities right by including tea and plants as art studio essentials. ❤

Brooke, you are an amazing Artist. Extremely talented. You have great enthusiasm and a great personality. You are a joy! Thank you for sharing!

Hey! First of all love your content. I started following you on instagram and no idea that you have a youtube channel until one day your video popped on my recommendations. And I was blown by the quality and fun content you post here. Thank you for creating such content.

oh that tube squishing gizmo is on my must-have list. thanks Brooke!

You have great charisma in the video. Linseed oil for water-based oil paint and acrylic, interesting. For me, the workspace and tools sometimes seem more important than the works - maybe I'm more interested in the process by which art is made.

TEA! You GOT IT, girl. No fine artist can live without FINE TEA. Personally I drink Twinings English Breakfast, or Earl Grey. But as a Canadian woman, I made need to check out a Canadian woman's tea company! Cute tins are always a draw. ;-) I also use 5000K lightbulb. I got a lamp at Crappy Tire, but although it's an angled desk lamp, it's not the best... tips over sometimes (it has a base, not a desk attachment), and the top doesn't angle enough. So always good to get recommendations from another artist. Too bad I just got an order from IKEA this week. Okay, so you got me to go make a cup of tea, so now I better get some art done... and not be distracted by oher artists and the hummingbirds, blue jays, rose-breasted grosbeaks and red squirrels all greedily eating outside MY window - which doesn't face a brick wall, thank goodness! (I think you should ask your neighbour if you can paint a mural on their wall...)

I just enjoy knowing theres people like me out there ❤

Every 6 months I take my Master's brush cleaner and I rehab every busted brush I own. But, STAINS!? I don't know why I NEVER thought of that. You have changed my life

Interesting. You made me think about how to get the most out of my supplies. I waste so much paint and I'm really bad at caring for my brushes. I use a lot of cheap brushes. I do agree with the flat brushes and the angled flat as great brushes and the Golden's. I have been going through a pretty dramatic phase and change in painting because I always did contemporary realism and have found abstract painting exhilarating in recent years. I kind of really dig the unplanned and often the accidents that I manage to control. I spent over forty years as a professional illustrator/painter/designer. I feel like a kid again with no expectations of how anything will turn out. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. The whole journey of creating art a winding path. I see things that I thought I knew so differently.

Oh my! I had a glass palette and I broke it by kneeling on it haha! I am a tea-person too! Everyone laughs at me for that but when someone visits I just point them to my cabinet to pick something:D. I have over 50 kinds, guilty! I need that lamp and lightbulb! Thank you for sharing! 🥰

oh my glob. I did not know there was such a thing as water-mixable oils! For the last few years I've devoted myself to watercolors, but I DO miss oils. My number one resistance to them was the cleaning process!! When I return to the medium, I will %100 percent try those out! Thanks. "pew pew"

your space is beyond aesthetic ☺☺

I like music. Very often classical music while I'm painting. 🙂

Scraping dried paint!!! So satisfying! Tube wringer and the flat razor blade/scraper thingy are game changers. Fine artists have fine tastes. I need to up my tea game however, lol.

I can verify the brush cleaner is like magic. ❤I used it on brushes from my flower pot painting class & on some of my window art painting brushes. The paint scraping is satisfying as a window painter too. I use a 4 inch blade & scrape latex paint off windows & so satisfying. 😂 The tube squeezer. Very revolutionary idea!😮 I use a light called “Canvas” it holds my phone, has natural lighting. I can remove it from the base and clip it to any table too. I love it. I learned something new about oils, thank you. I never used oils before. I work with acrylics, watercolors & gouache. I heard oils are expensive $$. They take forever to dry so I haven’t bothered to learn them.

I'm not even a painter (I do pastels) and I love your video, because it's interesting and informative and you're absolutely adorable. I saw your interview on Kelsey's channel. Anyway, thanks for the video.

Hello 😊 When you paint and have tea, you need a tea warmer. Can’t paint without mine. Because. Sometimes the next sip is cold.

I was up on everything except the paint tube squeezer. Got to get one of those! And maybe treat myself to better teas 😊

Thanks for this video Brooke. I've been painting for 30 years and I think its time to get a tube squeezer. A tool I use every time is a broom handle with a rubber chair leg cap on the bottom to rest my hand against when doing fine details.

I switch from coffee to tea in the afternoon & ❤ plants (most are thru my whole apt)! Ordered a cup holder for the desk to open more space for the art supplies! A small container with 🍫snacks are included. Really ❤ your tea set🫖

Interesting and fun, as ever. Thank you Brooke. Gotta get me one o them tube squeezers. Great to have you back. RU-vid has been sending me little red dot messages for quite a while that supposedly meant that you have been active . . . but whenever I looked, there was no new video there from you . . . which was disappointing and worrying. I am a Brit, so, tea is everything. Looking forward to seeing what you have painted.

Great video! As a beginner myself that was very useful for me! Thanks!

Love this Brooke! Also totally now buying that handy gadget to squeeze paint out of the tube because it’s 100% needed haha

loved the video!! hey Brooke, Obviously am a fan of your works and want to tell you that you are an inspiration. Also any chance you can make a video or something about travelling with paints on flight? cos girl here has absolutely no idea when it comes to travelling international with paint. and I am a beginner in the profession. so would really appreciate the help. 🥰 PS: I would add books about painting in a small shelf in the studio along with a framed pet painting. ☺

Thanks, Brooke. Some really useful tips and nicely presented too.

for me as an oil painter is a crystal palette. I bought a cheap frame with a cristal the size I wanted. I am NEVER going back to any other type of palette The soap from the same brand as yours edit: a new discovering for me that is now stardard use is alkydic medium (lefranc or gamblin) You can do glazing as intermidiate from underlayer to linseed oil which is my other medium

I paint in 2 dramatically different styles...pop art palette knife and also very traditional - For my traditional oil paintings I used a solvent/toxic free oil paint experience for several years. I use a bar of ivory soap or pure(not spike) lavender oil to clean my brushes, if you want a medium then gamsol makes a solvent free gel which is terrific. If you paint in a thin style then all you need is linseed oil to thin out your paints. I was 100% toxic free for years. Once I got more ventilation I do mix some gamsol into my canvas toning and use glazing medium. I have tried water soluable oils and to me it is 100% painting style dependent. There is a stickyness(not looking up spelling...lol) to them after they are out for a time and I do not seem to get the same length of time to move them around on the painting surface. I do like the COBRA brand of WMO and they fit a great place between Gouache and traditional oils. Also I was able to secure through my double secret clandestine dark web sources the new Michael Harding Miracle medium line with glazing medium, paste and medium...all plant based and toxic free. So far I am very pleased and once I get some more work with them they may become my go to for studio and plein air. Not available in the USA yet from what I am seeing so hopefully the paint medium police will not break down my door.

I have the same brush cleaner. It's very good!

Not a pro myself (yet hopefully!!), but a tear off palette was recommended to me and Michael harding oil paints are meant to be top quality 👌🏼👌🏼

You being a fulltime artist is very much inspiring me! The haircut is too! Looks really good on you:)

Murphy's Oil Soap is excellent for cleaning brushes. Just put it in a jar containing 50mm deep for soaking brushes 🖌️🖌️🖌️ and even dried hard paint will come off after a day of soaking.

I just got a wet pallet, but haven't used it yet, but Im excited too because I am tired of constantly trying to mix paints the exact same way each time I need to use them. Primarily I paint my 3D prints, but I kinda want to get into some traditional painting as well.

For the oil painting supplies, try Chelsea Classic Studio's linseed oil, walnut oil, lean medium and fat medium. They also have lavender spike oil and damar resin varnish. I use it and love it! It's great for artists who want to paint as close to natural products that were used by the oil painting masters of the past. ❤

Love this! Thank you for supporting Above Ground 🧡Inspired to throw myself a tea party now!

Hi Brooke, great vid, lovely presentation, great to see you're a tea drinker. Here's my pennyworth, hopefully it helps either yourself or someone else to enjoy their tea more. Tea making for black 'Breakfast' tea using loose leaf tea. 1. Boil water. 2. Before water has boiled, turn off kettle or pot and "scald" or warm the teapot by pouring a little hot water inside and swirling it around for a few seconds then discarding it or returning it to the kettle/pot. Tea infuses at a certain temperature and pouring boiling water into cold ceramic or glass pots and cause thermal shock and reduce the temperature of the water. 3. Put tea leaves in pot (one teaspoon per cup plus one 'for the pot', pop the lid on and then swirl pot again similar to scalding whilst putting the kettle/pot back on to finally boil. This centrifugal action throws the tea against the hot moist wall of the pot and allows most of the tea to become heated by the hot ceramic. This will also create a wonderful aroma when you lift the lid. 4. Once kettle has boiled, pour water into pot and cover the pot with a 'cosy' or something to keep the heat in. Let the pot stand for 2 mins, then take off the lid and stir, replace lid and leave for a further three minutes. 5. Tea is now ready to serve.

I'm moving into my studio without windows so the lap is definitely what I need!!

Nice job!

Using a glass palette and scrapper are the BEST combo! Clean up is soooooo easy and super satisfying, plus they’ll last you forever (as long as you don’t knock your palette down. The Masterson palette doesn’t come with a piece of glass (at least not that I’ve seen in stores), but if you take it to your local glass shop, they should be able to custom cut you a piece, and even round the edges so they won’t cut you. Worth the $15. I had friends in art school who just used cheap picture frames though, so to each his own. 😂

It’s been a while that I painted my art (acrylic style) as nowadays I am doing more pencil-fine liner-alcohol marker art style. But my teas and plants are the things that don’t change at all 😂🙏🏽 Also I’m planing to make a portrait of my best friend and her soon to be husband for her wedding gift (using acrylic) so I hope I‘ve still got this haha. Thanks to you and your videos to inspire me to do art more often 😌🙏🏽

I wish I was a palette 🎨 scraper. 😘

Thanks for sharing Brooke! I am an angle flat/angle shader fan too! We are David's Tea nerds! Studio tea is very needed but so important to never dip your paintbrushes in it 😅

Wow 🤩 trying to concentrate on the art talk but wow your just gorgeous 😊I am listening really

I loved your outfit! Could you share details about your pants? I've been searching comfy green pants for a while!

I get this nice oil painting medium that is natural called oil of spike lavender from a company named Art treehouse. I love this stuff and it means I never need turpentine

Es el primer video que veo tuyo, y me a encantado.😊

Hi BC have you try after painting complete put on Resin coating its look like glass mirror and permanent color fix effect are amazing after Resin its look like crystal effect on acrylic paintings .

I just found your channel and looked up your work, I love your stuff!

Love your videos!! Youre so funny and bring helpfull info for other artists. Thanks!!!

The tube ringer is amazing!

10:45 you need to check the CRI of the bulb, its need to be at least 90+, preferably 95, and also make sure its full spectrum. You can check this by downloading color checker for your phone and test (you have to buy it but its worth it to always be able to check your light) on a white surface in your light. That will show you exactly what you have, and if there are any green or magenta casts in the light. Another thing you can do is take a custom WB shot with your camera. I d both.

Thank you thank you for the tip about water mixable oils! I was classically trained with oils and was scared to use them in my poorly ventilated home.

Great video!! I’ll be getting one of those palettes

careful with the tea addiction, I gave myself kidney stones with all the oxalates. make sure you get enough calcium to bind it in your gut and enough protein that the oxalates don't cause osteoperosis. Gods, I love tea. it will kill me

Beautiful artwork ❤

Very helpful video! I've been painting for a long time, but always the old fashioned way and using a wooden palette. I think I need to buy all the ones you have. And they should give you gifts for this kind of publicity 😅

Gotta love those voice effects 😁 nice one again, Brooke.

Watched this 4 times. I actually followed the videos content on the 4th try, bc, well let’s face it, you make that outfit look AMAZING! I about fell into a fountain when you stood up and turned around! ❤️ Your a talented artist also btw. 😊

Already using "The Masters" and a glass palette so I guess I'm in good company.😊 Absolutely sold on the tube wringer, and it's definitely gonna earn it's keep! Such a helpful video, especially for beginners like me! Thanks! P.S. Don't know about anyone else, but I can't paint without music. My bluetooth speaker is nearly as vital equipment as my brushes.🎸🎶

Looks like we both chopped our hair off recently (I did mine Tuesday)! All these are just right on point. Bought one of those tube crimpers the last time you talked about it and it's been such a money saver. Do you have any citrus cleaner? You can use that on oil brushes (I use Eco House) or good ole Murphys Oil Soap. I love that lavender stuff too but it's more expensive. One thing I can't live without is a maul stick!

Hi from Vancouver 🙋 very helpful tips! Thank you..

Thank you, very hepful. To clean your oil brushes you can also soak them in liquid soap. It works wonders ;-)

The Masters brush cleaner works with non-water-mixable oils too. We use that and it works well. Also, dish soap will clean your brushes as long as you don't let the paint dry on them. You can use safflower oil to remove paint and refresh your brushes. There is NO reason to use turpentine. Ever.

Nice informative video Brooke, I have a question... which I can probably google but since I'm here.... is there any quality difference in the paint for water mixable and equivalent acrylic?... why do you prefer it over acrylic?

Another great vid, well done 👏 Q - Have you ever tried cobra water soluble paints as opposed to windsor? Would be interested in your comparison review!

I have a question for oil painters, I’m starting oil painting and don’t have a lot of ventilation in my home. I see a lot of people use linseed oil and zero solvents. Will I still need to worry about ventilation if I use natural products like that? I usually keep a window cracked anyways. Thank you! 😊

Water mixable oils was my game-changer. I hate the smell of the stuff with oils. This is all the best parts of acrylic, with none of the downsides. You get the open time (unless you use dryer which is super-fast drying) to blend and whatnot. I'd never go back to "real" oils. There's just no reason to.

Ha.. love your videos…I only have a tiny corner of my bedroom for my studio… is that what you do too ? I’ll have to get one of those pallets !! I’ve been using plates & pieces of plastic that cheese cake & other things come in… so they’re disposable… I also have one window in the corner & lots of plants…oh, and I also use Golden acrylics…. you are a wonderful artist♥️♥️♥️

Very useful video. Thank you 🙏🏻

Hi Brooke...I am pretty new at oil painting and have used these water based oil paints exclusively and like them a lot, but I am finding that after two months my paintings are still tacky.....do you experience this as well? Maybe I'm doing something wrong. Maybe this is normal.....what do you think?

Its so cool ❤

Hi B C, Yeah I have to make a confession here, the thing that I scant live without in my studio, is Brooke Cormier's classy guidance & humour. How do we negotiate our friendship & not allow things to go strange? Ooh yes, you are an archetypical professional with impeccable taste when it comes to presenting via RU-vid & would be such an excellent influence to have in the local community. God dress ye!

There actually is a huge difference between water mixable oils and regular oils. Regular oils use real mineral pigments while the water mixable is more synthetic. Real oils have a more vibrant and juicy looks than water mixable. Oil paint actually moves on the canvas visually, some colors come forward while others recede and you can use certain colors to bring forward subjects and other colors to put into the background. I’ve been a professional artist for 3 years and have used acrylics my whole life. I learned in art school about the amazing quality and magic of oils, it’s totally worth it. Also, if you’re worried about ventilation, they do make odorless mineral spirits, I use the brand ECO HOUSE orange peel thinner or Soythin is also odorless and Galykd medium. I have birds so I cannot use any toxic spirits. Has worked like a charm for the last few years! Just a little tip from one artist to another, def invest in real oils, the water mixable is not as great ☺️ but do you girl.

Thank you for this, it's very inspirational for our family craft room! I hope it's OK I ask a completely unrelated question --- what is your microphone setup? Because I don't see a microport clipped to your clothes or the traditional "i'm a serious youtuber" mike stand filling half the frame right in front of your face, yet your voice comes through crystal clear. Thanks :)

I love water mixable oils too. I use CoBrA though.

enjoyed it fromthe beginning till the end :) All the best Dear :)

I thank you!

TEA TEA TEA TEA TEA 😍

Hi Brooke. It looks like you use normal linseed oil, if so does this still wash out without solvent when cleaning brushes between colours?

Thanks for sharing!

Oh very informative video. I need a scraper and wringer. And good source of light. :D PS. About those oily oil paints. I had same thoughts as you. And same issue like no space, no studio. I stalled for years to not start with oily oils. But this year I decided to do it. I dont use turpentine. Only linseed oil for thinning the paint. And a bit for cleaning brushes. I do not use turpentine. I dont even have one. I successfully clean everything with dishes soap. I would love to try water mixable oil paints. Maybe they dry faster than those oily ones... Oily ones need 6 months to dry (minimum) and who has time to wait this long? Especially if its commisioned painting...

You are too beautiful 😍

🖤👏

the wringlerrrrrrrrr 🤤🤤🤤

That palette's surely called 'stay-wet' & not 'star-wet' or what ever it is you're saying? I was a skinhead in my younger days & we wore trousers called 'Sta-Pressed' (spelled 'Sta-Prest'). Originally produced & trade-marked by Levi Strauss & Co in 1964 these trousers had a smart crease down the leg which stayed there even after washing & hence they, stayed pressed. I'd be 99% sure this palette company are using 'Sta' in the same way to suggest your paints stay wet for a long time.

Have you heard of zest it that some people use to clean oil paints off of brushes? It’s a non toxic option that you can use regular oil paints with

I love you video you art is amazing and I love you Personality you made my day

Great tips.

Tea!!!!!!!!!!!! ✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨ PS: just checked Sloane tea... they do not ship outside Canada and US... so sad... 😞

do those sealed palettes work for keeping acrylics for a bit long time?

Broke like me 😂❤😅

I’m gonna try 2 liters of tea a day see if that helps me paint better 😂

My god, you are beautiful

Way to show up. Inspired 😶‍🌫️💌

Alright, you got me with your title, and cover pic, just had to say so, and I am sure you are taken. Congratulations to the Man that is such a better one than me, and that is a certainty. Few in life. Just had to release some jealousy envy whatever and some tears.. happy painting, I love ART

👀👀👀

Try soy thin for solvent. No odors 😊