Over the years, I've tried LOTS of different art supplies!... but I keep coming back to a few simple, tried-and-true favorites that have worked well for me. Since I create my art on a budget, I've tried to find supplies that are easy on my wallet, but still give me great results. Here is a list of some of my favorites! I hope you'll find this list helpful as you create!
Delta Ceramcoat Acrylic Paint - Ceramcoat is my absolute favorite budget friendly acrylic paint. It is matte, lightfast, has a creamy consistency, is easy to blend and comes in a rainbow of pretty colors! Ceramcoat covers smoothly, often with just one coat. Just recently, my local art supply stores have stopped carrying this brand, so I've linked to Plaid brand's Ceramcoat page where you can buy 2 oz and 8 oz bottles online.
Dick Blick Canvas Panels - To keep my costs low, I often paint on canvas panels. Dick Blick offers super sturdy canvas panels that are beautifully finished and do not bend of warp. They're perfect for acrylic paint and hold up great to lots of mixed media layers. Blick offers a variety of sizes in their canvas panels, which you can buy singly or in bulk. When I want to work on a panel that measures less than 4"x4", I use Blick's Mini Canvas Panels.
Dick Blick Premier Stretched Cotton Canvas - When I want to splurge on a piece I'm creating, I like to use Blick's Splined Canvases. These are sturdily constructed and have a minimum of staples on the back. These canvases come in three different depths and many sizes.
Mini Canvas Easels - I have used two different brands of mini easels over the years to display my art, and I've been happy with both of them! Dick Blick's Mini Easel is 3"x5' and Arteza's Mini Easel is 5"x5". Whenever I've sold my miniature acrylic paintings, I've always included a mini easel with the purchase for display.
Bristol Pads - I really enjoy painting on smooth Bristol pads with acrylic paints! My favorites are the Strathmore 300 Series Smooth Bristol Board and Canson XL Smooth Bristol. Both are 100lb. weight and bright white, which I especially like. I often create my own embellishments for mixed media and art journaling, and this weight of paper is sturdy but easy to "fussycut" by hand.
Posca Pens - I love Posca Pens for adding layers of color on my hand painted papers! I've purchased sets of Posca Pens on Amazon in the past, but I prefer to buy Dick Blick's Individual Posca Pens. That way I can restock my favorite colors without buying colors I might not need. It may be a little pricier to purchase them this way, but I think it's worth only paying for what I know I will use.
Dick Blick's Prismacolor Pencils - When I first began drawing, I discovered Prismacolor Pencils, and this brand continues to be my favorite! I like to buy my pencils individually, since I tend to come back again and again to my favorite colors!
Krylon UV Resistant Clear Acrylic Spray - Once my painted canvases are completed, I give them a couple of coats of Krylon's UV Resistant Spray. I prefer the Matte Spray for my paintings, but I use the Gloss Spray for my Christmas ornaments. I'm linking here to Dick Blick's listing, but I have also purchased these sprays at Michael's and Hobby Lobby.
Modge Podge - I've used three different kinds of Modge Podge for varying project. I tend to use the Matte Modge Podge when I need a really strong adhesive for paper crafts. The Sparkle Modge Podge is fun to use as an extra layer to my embellishments on handmade cards. And the Modge Podge Hardcoat adds strength and a little gloss to my paper ornaments. I usually purchase these at my local craft stores.
UHU Glue Sticks - I make a lot of handmade cards, and UHU Glue Sticks are my go-to for adhering paper to paper. This glue is super strong and easy to use. My local craft stores don't seem to carry UHU on a regular basis, so I purchase mine through Amazon.
Paper Mache Ornaments - Painting Christmas ornaments is one of my favorite things! Factory Direct carries a great variety of paper mache shapes and sizes. My favorites are their flat Star shaped ornaments, the flat Round ornaments, and the paper mache balls, which come in a 2 Inch size and a 31/2 Inch size. Factory Direct sells these ornaments individually and also in bulk.
IRIS USA Plastic Storage Boxes - When I started painting my own paper for mixed media, I needed a way to organize all that colorful paper! After doing a bit of research, I ended up ordering both the IRIS Small Stacking Boxes (which came in a 10 pack) and the IRIS Medium Stacking Boxes (also in a 10 pack). These have worked great for organizing my papers by color!... and they look pretty sitting on the book shelf in my studio.
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