Studio Six in Toronto is a gem of an art supply and framing shop. It sits in an industrial area just north of Toronto. Artists shop here… professional artists and hobbiests alike. To do good work it is of the utmost importance to start with “artist” grade materials.
Although I have taken classes with professional artists who use a variety of materials from house paint to coffee grounds, my personal experience tells me that step one to creating a quality outcome is ensuring that the materials used will produce the best results and stand the test of time. This is not the place to economize. Artists need to buy the best paint, paper, brushes etc.. These materials have been tested. Then they need to be used generously. Being Scrooge-like in the application of paint will limit the work and hold an artist back from the freedom required to do a really good painting.