27 Art Supplies You Can Choose From Today to Help You Make the Artwork You Always Wanted – Includes a Small Review for Each Item
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So you want to do art but you don’t have the art supplies you need? If you’re starting out, I would suggest checking out one of my other blog posts entitled [link to other blog post: all you really need to start doing art is a pencil and a piece of paper]. You may have seen your favorite artists using fancy (and possibly expensive) art supplies, but depending on your needs, you might be able to use cheaper alternatives.
Maybe you’re already an artist and you ran out of your favorite pens or paint, or maybe you’d like to try out a new art medium. What you will find below are for the most part art supplies I personally use or have used in the past (or if the same item is no longer available or couldn’t be found on Amazon, a similar alternative is presented).
Graphite pencils and erasable colored pencils
Derwent Graphic Drawing Pencils, Soft, Metal Tin, 12-Count
This case includes a good range of pencil hardness and shades, and I really like the fact that it has soft pencils, great for getting deep blacks.
Bic MatiC Grip 0.5mm #2 Mechanical Pencil, 6/pack
Simple, cheap. I use these when I want to do a quick sketch. They even include an eraser on the tip which makes them great for on-the-go sketching. I find it’s a good middle ground between pencils and technical pens.
Prismacolor Col-Erase Erasable Colored Pencils, 12-Count, Assorted Colors
Although you could use them for drawing an image from start to finish, I use these as an alternative to graphite pencils for sketching when I don’t want boring black and gray.
Tombow MONO Zero Eraser with an extra refill, Round Tip, Retractable
Seriously, THE MOST USEFUL ERASER I EVER BOUGHT! Perfect for erasing in tight spots or for adding little details. I use it all the time. Must-have for any artist toolbox.
Faber Castell Large Kneaded Eraser 2-Pack
Useful for lightening a drawing (by lifting some of the graphite off the paper) and then sketching over it again for a cleaner more precise sketch , or can be kneaded/molded to specific shapes for erasing those tight spots.
Staedtler Mars Stick Eraser, Retractable
I tend to use these rather than a big bulky eraser, I am less likely to crumple the sheet of paper with them. A good all-around eraser plus it stores better in a pencil case.
LEOBRO 16 Pcs Blending Stumps and Tortillions with 2 Pcs Sandpaper
Smudging with your fingers works but is messy and may transfer natural oils from to your paper which may leave blotches or stains. Blending stumps are perfect for fully rendered drawings.
Pencil and Pen Wrap, 48/72 Slots
I was looking for a compact pencil case to store my most commonly used pens and pencils but most cases were either too bulky or without sufficient organization. I found a cheap pencil wrap at my local DeSerres which fit the bill. Here is a similar one I found on Amazon.
Pen & Ink - ballpoint pens, technical pens, and white gel pens
Good quality waterproof ink pens. 3 nib sizes plus a brush pen to help you with crosshatching and line work.
Sakura Pigma Manga Basic Set (005, 01, 05, 08, FB, White)
Sakura Microns are good, cheap(i.e. disposable) ink pens, and this set includes the ultra thin 005 pen, perfect for cross hatching, and a Gelly Roll white pen for correcting mistakes or adding highlights.
BIC Cristal Xtra Smooth Ball Pen Combo Set: Set Includes 10 Black, 10 Blue, and 10 Red.
Just like the graphite pencil, the ballpoint pen is a great cheap starter artist tool and always useful for taking notes.
Uni-Ball UM 153 Signo Broad Point Gel Pen - White - Pack of 3
Perfect for getting that decal effect on toned paper (see an example here). Works great on black paper too! These are super smooth, they flow like butter.
Uni-ball Signo Angelic UM-120AC Gel Ink Pen 0.7 mm, White Ink, 3 pens per Pack
When you need a finer white line for more accurate details. Runs smoother than the Gelly Roll white gel pen in my opinion.
Sketchbooks
Good all-around sketchbook for practice, testing ideas, thumbnails, etc. I always keep one around for “bad art”, that way I don’t feel obliged to make it perfect and am less likely to procrastinate.
Strathmore 412-9 400 Series Toned Tan Sketch Pad, 9"x12" Wire Bound, 50 Sheets
Darker paper is great because you can add white highlights to your drawings giving you a broader range of shades. Wire bounding means you can open up the sketchbook fully laying flat and not have it close up on you while you’re drawing.
Excellent quality sketchbook, thick paper and hardcover for long term archival. The Mercedes of sketchbooks.
Colored pencils and watercolor pencils
Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils, Soft Core, 36 Pieces
Fully pigmented artist-grade colored pencils. I also use the black for adding greater contrast to my sketches and the white for highlights when sketching on toned sketchbooks.
Staedtler 24CT Triangular Water Colored Pencils
They work just like colored pencils but they are water-soluble so you can turn your drawing into a watercolor painting!
Watercolor painting supplies
Pentel Arts Water Colors, Assorted Colors, Pack of 18
Nice assortment of good quality watercolor paints at a good price.
Pentel Arts Aquash Water Brush Assorted Tips, Pack of 3
A good solution for portability as you don’t need to bring a water jar to dip your brushes in. These combine beautifully with water-soluble color pencils.
Disclaimer: I’ve used all kinds of brushes, and for the moment I don’t have a favorite brand. I’ve never used this particular brand of brushes but it is really well rated on Amazon and it includes a good variety of brush shapes and can be used for watercolor, acrylic, and oil painting.
MEEDEN Empty Watercolor Tins Palette Paint Case with 24 Pcs Half Pans
Great for storing a nice assortment of watercolors and perfect for taking with you for plein-air painting. Mix your colors right onto the tin cover.
Strathmore 300 Series Watercolor Pad, 11"x15", 12 Sheets
Large, thick, cold press watercolor paper for less buckling.
Moleskine Art Plus Hard Cover Watercolor Sketchbook, Plain, Large (5" x 8.25") Black
You can use pages individually but the landscape layout is ideal for doing panoramas since you can open Moleskine sketchbooks flat. You can use it vertically or horizontally.
Acrylic painting supplies
Tri-Art High Viscosity Paint, 10 by 60ml, Professional-FQ Acrylic Set
I’ve been using these paints for a while now and I really like them. Artist grade, heavy body paints. I can dilute them if I want thinner paint for a better flow, or use as is for more texture. That’s what I’ve used for all my paintings in 2018 and so far in 2019.
Strathmore (25-309 200 Series Canvas Paper Pad, 9 x 12, 10 Sheets
These are perfect when you get started with acrylic painting so you can experiment and it won’t cost you an arm and a leg. Great for sketches or for doing thumbnail paintings before you start your bigger canvas painting pieces.
A good selection of average quality canvases to get you going.
Disclaimer: I’ve used all kinds of brushes, and for the moment I don’t have a favorite brand. I’ve never used this particular brand of brushes but it is really well rated on Amazon and it includes a good variety of brush shapes and can be used for watercolor, acrylic, and oil painting.
If you don't have room for a full-sized painting easel, this is a good alternative. Just rest it on a flat surface. Fully adjustable to various canvas sizes and if you want to use it to draw (or paint on paper) you can add a drawing board to it (not included). The drawer can store art supplies and since the case has a handle, you can take the easel with you.
Digital Painting and Pixel Art Supplies
Wacom Intuos Graphics Drawing Tablet with 3 Bonus Software Included, 7.9"x 6.3", Black (CTL4100)
A good beginner tablet, includes stylus doesn’t need batteries or charging (the tablet is powered by USB). Super compact and responsive and has four customizable Express Keys on the top for your favorite shortcuts.
Perfect for digital art; paint directly on the screen just like with the Wacom Cintiq but more affordable. Practical (and portable) size. Incredible quality for the price. Very intuitive with very little parallax from the screen (distance between the pen and the drawing).
If you decide to make purchases through these links, you will be supporting a Canadian artist, helping me become a full-time artist which will help me make more and better art, and for that I thank you from the bottom of my heart!
This list will be updated from time to time as I try out different art supplies (last updated: April 2019). Are there must have art supplies that you think should be featured in here? Let me know which ones in the comments below and I might add them to the list.