The Best Art Supplies to Buy
The best art supplies to buy can vary widely depending on your specific interests and artistic style, but here are some essential art supplies that are commonly recommended for various types of artists. Think about your budget and your needs and research what art supplies will be the best for you! Check out my list of the best art supplies to buy below!
The Best Art Supplies to Buy
Sketching and Drawing:
Graphite Pencils: Ranging from 2H (hard) to 6B (soft) for different levels of darkness and shading.
Charcoal: Both vine and compressed charcoal for varied textures.
Sketchbooks: Choose one with paper suitable for your preferred medium.
Erasers: A kneaded eraser for lifting graphite and charcoal, and a regular eraser for precision (white eraser works great).
Blending Tools: blending stumps
Painting:
Acrylic Paints: Quick-drying and versatile -start with basic primary colours, white and black first.
Oil Paints: For a traditional, slow-drying medium-start with basic primary colours, white and black first.
Watercolours: Transparent and ideal for delicate washes.
Paintbrushes: High-quality brushes suitable for your chosen medium.
Canvas or Watercolor Paper: Depending on your painting medium.
Palette: For mixing and holding your paint.
Digital Art:
Graphic Tablet: Wacom, Huion, and XP-Pen are popular brands.
Digital Pen: Compatible with your graphic tablet.
Digital Art Software: Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Corel Painter, Procreate, or others.
Sculpture:
Clay: Polymer clay, air-dry clay, or traditional sculpting clay.
Sculpting Tools: Various carving and shaping tools.
Armature: Wire, foil, or other support structures.
Sculpting Stand or Base: To support your work.
Printmaking:
Linoleum Blocks or Etching Plates: Depending on your chosen technique.
Ink and Brayers: For inking your plates or blocks.
Printmaking Paper: Specifically designed for printmaking.
Press: If you're serious about printmaking, a printmaking press can be a significant investment.
Calligraphy:
Calligraphy Pens: Broad-edge, pointed, or brush pens.
Ink: High-quality calligraphy ink.
Calligraphy Paper: Smooth and suitable for your chosen script.
Craft and Collage:
Various Craft Supplies: Glue, scissors, colored paper, embellishments, etc.
Collage Materials: Old magazines, photographs, and other materials for collaging.
Photography:
Camera: DSLR, mirrorless, or smartphone with a good camera.
Lenses: Wide-angle, prime, telephoto, or macro lenses depending on your style.
Tripod: For stable shots.
Photo Editing Software: Adobe Lightroom, Adobe Photoshop, or other editing software.
Mixed Media:
Anything Goes: Mixed media allows for creative freedom, so collect a variety of materials and experiment.
Papermaking
Paper Pulp:
Cotton Rag Pulp: High-quality and commonly used for fine art paper.
Abaca Pulp: A type of banana plant fiber used for strength and texture.
Wood Pulp: Common for mass-produced paper but can also be used for handmaking paper.
Recycled Paper: Old newspapers or scrap paper can be repurposed for papermaking.
Deckle and Mold:
Papermaking Molds: A frame with a screen or mesh bottom used to shape and drain the pulp.
Deckle: A removable frame that fits on top of the mold to define the paper's edges.
Basin or Container:
Large Plastic Tub: Used for holding water and the paper pulp during the process.
Blender or Hollander Beater:
Blender: For pulping recycled paper or breaking down fibers.
Hollander Beater: A specialized machine for pulping and refining fibers.
Couch Sheets or Felts:
Couching Sheets: Absorbent sheets used to transfer wet sheets of paper from the mold and press.
Press Felts: Thick, absorbent materials used in the paper pressing process.
Sponges and Towels:
Sponges: Used to help remove excess water during the papermaking process.
Towels: Used for blotting and drying freshly made paper.
Drying Rack or Screen:
Drying Rack: A system for hanging and drying paper sheets.
Screen or Mesh: Used for drying individual sheets of paper.
Couching Aid (Optional):
Couching Aid or Release Agent: Helps release the wet paper from the mold onto the couch sheets.
Protective Gear:
Depending on your chosen medium, consider items like gloves, aprons, and masks to protect yourself and your workspace.
Where to Buy the Best Art Supplies:
You can buy art supplies from various sources, both online and in physical stores. Here are some common places to purchase art supplies:
Art Supply Stores:
Dedicated art supply stores, such as Blick Art Materials, Jerry's Artarama, and Utrecht Art Supplies, offer a wide range of art materials, from paints and brushes to paper and canvas.
Craft Stores:
Large craft store chains like Michaels, Hobby Lobby, and Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores often have extensive art supply sections.
Online Retailers:
Websites like Amazon, eBay, and Walmart often have a vast selection of art supplies. Many specialty art supply stores also have online shops where you can order materials.
Local Art Studios and Co-ops:
Some local art studios and cooperatives sell art supplies to support local artists. Check with studios in your area to see if they have a supply shop.
University or College Bookstores:
If you live near a college or university with an art program, their bookstores may carry art supplies suitable for students and the general public.
Stationery Stores:
Some stationery stores carry basic art supplies like sketchbooks, pens, and markers.
Online Marketplaces for Handmade Art Supplies:
Websites like Etsy often have artisanal and unique art supplies crafted by independent artists and crafters.
Wholesale or Discount Stores:
Stores like Costco and Sam's Club sometimes carry art supplies in bulk or at discounted prices.
Art Fairs and Craft Shows:
Local art fairs and craft shows may have vendors selling handmade or specialty art supplies.
Art Supply Subscription Services:
Some companies offer subscription boxes that deliver art supplies to your doorstep on a regular basis, which can be a fun way to discover new materials.
Specialty Online Retailers:
For specific or hard-to-find art supplies, you can explore specialty online retailers that focus on particular niches, such as printmaking, calligraphy, or sculpture.
Secondhand or Thrift Stores:
You might occasionally find gently used art supplies, particularly at thrift stores or garage sales.
Artist's Collectives and Co-ops:
Some communities have artist collectives or co-ops that sell art supplies to support local artists. These may be less common but worth exploring in your area.
My Favourite Art Brands:
Acrylic Painting: I love Golden paints, gel mediums and Golden acrylic fluids
I love Princeton paint brushes.
Watercolour: I love Winsor & Newton
Pencil crayons: I love Prismacolor
Paint pens: I love Posca pens
Watercolour paper: I love Canson, Strathmore, Fabriano and Arches
Printmaking: I love Speedball
Ceramics: I love Tucker’s clay and glazes
Papermaking: I love Paper Trail and Carriage House for places to order supplies
I love shopping for art supplies! I’d love to hear what your favourite art supplies are - leave a comment letting me know! Follow me on social media for more great tips!
