Getting Started with Spray Paint: My Recommended Products List
Every artist's journey is a tale waiting to be told, and mine begins with an passion for creating on a grand canvas. Join me as I recount my first spray paint mural and discover the essentials you'll need to embark on your own artistic adventure.
Refuse to Sink, 2016
The first mural I remember where I used all spray paint.
Early in my career I primarily used a mix of brush and spray paint for murals, mostly using spray paint recreationally on the side for my extracurricular projects. I’d been doing murals commercially for a few years already, but hadn’t quite committed to any kind of business model.
My friend Liza, co-owner of the newly opened The Octopus Bar, presented an opportunity to paint the bar's outdoor patio. I was pumped, I adore Liza, wanted to expand my mural portfolio, and be a part of the new bar she just opened and accepted the challenge. Little did I know nature had an unexpected twist in store for me – the relentless Seattle rain.
Not one to back down, I made three attempts to install the mural, only to see my hard work wash away each time. Frustration aside, I wasn't ready to give up. I raced home, grabbed spray paint, and returned that very afternoon and stubbornly for the 4th time, literally blasted over the rain. This was also the first time I really used a Stencil Cap. And it was a revelation. For some reason my brain wanted to separate the commercial work I did with brushwork and the personal work I did with spray paint. I had in my head that the commercial work needed to be “professional” and the work I did for the streets needed to be in spray paint not putting together that I could do whatever the hell I wanted. And in that moment, I realized I didn’t have to separate the two.
From that point on, my journey involved not just mastering the art of spray painting, but also diving into the nuances of paint types, caps, and pushing the boundaries of both the medium and my art-form. It also helped that I worked for an amazing company that created many industry standards within the spray paint industry.
Gloria, 2023
My most recent all spray paint mural.
Here we stand today, bearing witness to the evolution of my work over the past decade – a journey that has led to a style both unique and vibrant. With this knowledge, I'm eager to extend a helping hand to fellow artists, to demystify the art of using these products, and foster a community where success knows no gatekeepers. I firmly believe in a world where there's no need to pay any dues; I'm dedicated to ensuring that everyone has access to this valuable information. Join me on this creative voyage as we explore the world of spray paint together, and don't hesitate to share these insights with your fellow artists.
The Importance of Safety
Before we start, it's crucial to prioritize safety. I’m adamant on protecting your precious brain. Spray paint is volatile and permanent, it is also contents definitely under pressure, so please don’t bang, drop, or hit anything with the cans.
3M Respirator: Your First Line of Defense
Invest in a quality respirator and replace the cartridges regularly. I recommend changing them every new job. Remember to keep your respirator clean by wiping the inside down with a baby wipe. Storing it in a ziplock bag when not in use will also help prolong your cartridges when not in use. Your respirator is your lifeline; keeping it in top shape is essential.
Cartridges: Filtering the Air
Choose cartridges designed to protect against particulates, such as organic vapor and spray paint dust particles emitted during painting. Look for NIOSH Approved on any packaging you find.
Filter Retainer: Additional Protection
While not mandatory, consider using a filter retainer with an additional filter inside for added protection and extending your cartridges life.
Gloves: Shielding Your Hands
Spray paint can be absorbed through your skin, making gloves a smart choice. Latex or nitrile gloves provide an effective barrier between the can and your skin. While black gloves may be the industry preference for style, any type will work just fine.
Selecting the Right Spray Paint
The quality of spray paint can significantly impact your progress making you work harder and causing unnecessary frustration. I recommend European low-pressure spray paint brands like Montana Gold and Flame Blue to start which provide better control and color selection compared to many domestic options. As you gain confidence and what the industry likes to call ‘Can Control’, you’ll find the muscles in your hand and forearm getting stronger and you’ll be able to move quicker and spray steadier lines. Brands like Molotow Premium are more medium-high pressure and are a little harder to actuate, but with muscle memory, it shouldn’t be a problem as you progress. Personally, I have little hands so painting is a whole different animal than it is to a regular-sized human. I have to work twice as hard to not only hold onto the can, but press down with my finger to spray. And I can definitely tell the difference when I switch between brands.
Pro Tip: Make sure to stretch your fingers to prevent cramping. Consider experimenting using different fingers to spray with when doing fill ins.
See the full color line at Artprimo.com
Flame Blue Spray Paint
I selected 12 colors in the Flame Blue line for my recommended color palette which includes unconventional yet fun choices like teal, magenta, and a little neon pink!
You may observe I’ve strayed from the traditional ROYGBIV for more of a CMYK palatte. Experimenting with different colors will help you break free from traditional color schemes, specifically if you stick with the traditional primary colors. Palettes that use this tend to go “sports teamy” real fast. This is the best time to experiment. Feel free to play with switching colors out if you want to be more adventurous!
Exploring Spray Paint Caps
Choosing the right spray paint cap is crucial for achieving different effects in your artwork. With a wide variety of caps available, finding the perfect match for your style is key. I grew up having to scrounge for caps that did what I needed them to do. In the 90’s and early 2000’s caps were limited, so you had to look for certain products in stores, glass cleaners were a good one to spy. Now we have a great selection across many brands to chose from.
Testing and Preferences
Don't hesitate to test as many caps as possible to discover what suits your needs. It's worth noting that many caps are quite similar, so don't be discouraged if you can't immediately tell them apart. Industry secret: many of them are the same cap just in different colors and plastics.
Recommended Caps
Since I recommend low-pressure spray paint, opt for thinner caps for precise control over your paint flow. Here are some top picks from your friends at Artprimo.com:
Molotow Super Skinny: The MSS is a great all around cap. You can outline with it and fill smaller areas with control while also moving slow and steady. It features a soft edge when outlining. This is the cap I use when I teach youth art classes. It’s easy to hold down for little fingers.
New York Fat: NYF’s used to be considered a fat cap, but now that the industry has expanded pressures for different cans it’s now more of an outline /fill kind of cap. This cap is great for flares, shading, outlining, and filling in. This is hands down my most favorite cap.
Universal Cap: This little golden gem is my outline cap / detail cap. In my work you’ll see me using lines in varying widths similar to calligraphy. This cap allows me to have a sharp edge when outlining.
Orange Dot: This is a great cap to fill in large areas. I have found anything larger than this just wastes paint and goes way too fast. This is as big as I get on my job-sites. It’s great at handling large, difficult, and uneven surfaces for the best coverage while also maintaining control. You can line up color to color with this cap so you don’t need to go back over with a thin cap.
And so there it is. Starting your journey using spray paint is an exciting adventure filled with creativity and self-expression. It can take your art to the next level by allowing you to paint larger easier. By prioritizing safety and selecting the right supplies, like respirators, cartridges, gloves, spray paint, and caps, you'll be well-prepared to explore this world.
Remember, each artist's journey is unique, and experimentation is key. Embrace your individuality, learn from your experiences, and enjoy the process of bringing your artistic visions to life through the vibrant world of spray painting. If you have questions, I’m on IG @onesevennine and I love hanging out in my stories. Send me a message and I can pin and talk about it there. I really want everyone to paint their best lives and to pass along the knowledge I have to each other.
Pro Tip:
I have a Product Recommendations page that lists not just spray paint supplies, but also art studio items, PPE gear, and framing shopping lists to help you along your art journey and build out your toolbox. Take a look!
I believe that by rooting ourselves in community we can all build the networks needed to all be successful creative business owners through our art. Happy painting.
In joyful creation,
Angelina V.
Order your spray paint & mural supplies at
WWW.ARTPRIMO.COM
Mention my name for some extra love to your order ❤️.
Introducing "Reel Vibes" – Your Soundtrack to Creativity
Hey there, here’s a little extra love for reading the recent blog entry. Ever wondered about the tunes behind my epic IG moments? "Reel Vibes" is here to spill the musical beans. It's a Spotify playlist packed with the last 17 tracks from my Instagram adventures, perfect for painting, dancing, drawing, or simply grooving. We’re already on volume 3! Ready to explore new sounds? Hit the button below and dive into the melody pool!
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