I use Winsor & Newton as well as Grumbacher oil paints and recently have been using Gamblin.  I have used in the early years of my painting less expensive tubes of paint and the difference in the higher quality of paint does make a difference. 

I have used a few small sample tubes of Schmincke oil paint which was purchased by my daughter at a yard sale. I have used Permalba oil paints but I still like to go back to the Winsor & Newton or the Grumbacher paints and Gamblin.  The Permalba has a creamy texture and has a lot of linseed oil in the paint.  

 I enjoy being out in nature and hearing the wind blow through the trees, see the sunshine sparkle on the grass or the leaves of trees after dew has been on them.   Walking through fallen leaves from the trees with the crunching sound they make and hear the birds singing.  The raindrops on flowers, even an old run down fence, crooked trees that the wind has blown so hard on, a crooked shape of trees which makes for an interesting subject to put on canvas.

Even when it is going to be a rain storm, the formation of the clouds is very interesting and I have taken many photos of sunsets and also clouds before a storm which were very gray and almost black.   
Being out in nature is where I get my inspiration for my paintings and even if I have photos of subjects I want to paint I think of the times I have walked on a nature trail and heard all these sounds that I mentioned. 

We have beauty all around us if we just look for it and realize what beautiful creation God has made and I enjoy being out in nature every chance that I get.

The colors on my palette consists of :  Sap Green, Burnt Sienna, Burnt Umber, Cadmium Yellow Light, Yellow Ochre, Cadmium Red Light, Cadmium Orange, Ultramarine Blue, Thalo Blue and Titanium White. 

I do occasionally use Colbolt Blue, Alizarin Crimson, Viridian Green, Green Earth, Thalo Yellow Green, Zinc Yellow, Naples Yellow and Grumbacher Red.  I make my own black and do not use black from the tube.  The black that I mix has more life to it then the black from the tube.

I have a couple of Joseph (Jerry) Yarnell's "Inspiration Of Painting" and nine other series books on painting written by Jerry

I also have "Painting Better Landscapes" by Margaret Kessler. 

I have a couple of books by E. John Robinson "Painting The Sea In Oils With Special Effects". 

I have "Painting Seascapes In Sharp Focus" by Lin Seslar.

I have some other books as well that I have purchased from North Light Book club over the years.  I have enjoyed all these books and refer to them as needed. 

I have bought two or three prints of Thomas Kincade's paintings in past years.  If you enjoy his art, I have a link on my website that you can go to the gallery that he has over 300 paintings.  I have enjoyed viewing his art for several years.

I enjoy listening to christian or classical music when I am painting.  I like something that is easy to listen to which is calming and relaxing. 

I enjoy all the christian music they play on the christian radio stations for the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex as well.  I also listen to pastors on the christian radio stations.
I also like the jazz station that is on the radio here in Denton, Texas.

The art instructor that I think I have learned a lot from was watching Joseph Yarnell (Jerry) on PBS for many years.  I have all of his books and still look at some of the old tapes I have of his work.  He explains things that they do not tell you in art school.  I went to one of his workshops which was on composition and perspective and was very interesting.  His website is YarnellArt.com. 

I have had several art teachers and instructors over the years since I have been painting.