Artists Supplies - My Absolute Favourites
A Peek into My Artistic Treasure Chest!
Today, I'm throwing open the doors to my studio to share something special with you: my all-time favourite professional art supplies ever! 🎨✨
This isn’t just any list; it’s the cream of the crop, the ones I reach for time and time again, because let’s face it, they make my art heart sing. Professional art supplies are not just tools, but cherished partners in the journey of creation, offering both inspiration and support through every brushstroke.
So grab a cuppa, get comfy, and let’s dive into the treasures of my art world!
Let's have a closer look at some of my art supplies.
My Sanctuary: A Deep Dive into My Cherished Art Supplies
In the realm of watercolour, the alchemy between artist and artist's supplies transcends the physical; it becomes a dialogue, a shared journey towards creation. Each tool and medium in my studio has been chosen not just for its quality, but for the unique voice it brings to this conversation. Let me share with you the essence of these relationships, the soul behind each choice, and the indispensable role these art supplies play in my art.
Brushes That Feel Like Magic Wands 🖌️✨
Da Vinci
Da Vinci brushes, oh how I adore thee!
One of my essential art supplies - Da Vinci Maestro brushes.
Why, you ask?
It’s like they’ve got a bit of Hogwarts in them – they just know what I’m aiming for. The Series 35, with its Kolinsky sable bristles, is like the perfect dance partner for watercolours, gracefully waltzing across the paper. It holds water and paint like it’s clinging to dear life, releasing it in the most beautiful, controlled way. These brushes don’t just paint; they perform!
Their impeccable craftsmanship never fails to impress me. The attention to detail and precision in each brush is evident, reflecting the brand's long-standing reputation for excellence. The range of brush shapes and sizes offered by Da Vinci is truly remarkable.
Whether I'm working on fine details or broad strokes, I can always find the perfect brush to suit my needs. Additionally, the high-quality synthetic and natural bristles used in Da Vinci brushes provide an exceptional painting experience.
The bristles hold paint perfectly, allowing for effortless blending and smooth application. The durability of Da Vinci brushes is unparalleled. They withstand frequent use and maintain their shape, ensuring that they will be cherished tools in my artistic journey for years to come.
I love the Maestro Series 35 and use the sizes 0, 2, 5 and 7 the most.
I also use a Casaneo Mop Brush Series 498, size 4, and Round Brush Series 5598, size 8.
Da Vinci's new synthetic range Colineo imitates sable hair really well. I love their series 5522, in the sizes 4 and 12.
Rosemary & Co.
This Eradicator brush is one of the brushes I use on just about every painting I complete.
Using the eradicator brush.
This innovative brush has revolutionised the way artists approach mistakes and corrections. Its unique design and specialised bristles allow for precise erasing of watercolour pigment, giving artists the ability to lift and lighten areas without damaging the paper.
Whether you're a beginner artist still learning the ropes or a seasoned artist looking to experiment, the Eradicator Brush is a must-have addition to your artistic toolkit.
Say goodbye to frustration and hello to creative freedom with this incredible tool.
I use it to create soft highlights, clean up edges and correct mistakes or a shaky hand. I like the sizes small, medium and large.
Jackson's Brushes
Are you looking for a good brush for watercolour that doesn't cost the earth?
Let me introduce you to Jackson's Studio synthetic brush, series 505.
These brushes are reasonably priced and given their affordability, quality and performance, I recommend them to my beginner students in search of quality paint brushes that won't break the bank.
Read my full review here. I use sizes 1, 5, 8, 10 and 12.
Paints: The Colours That Paint My World
Schmincke
A selection of my Schmincke watercolour paints.
Schmincke watercolour paints are highly regarded among professional artists for their exceptional quality and rich pigmentation. I’ve recently started using them and I love them! They re-wet well and layer beautifully.
If I could write love songs about paint, these pigments would be my muse. The colours are so rich and vibrant, they’re practically jumping off the page to give you a hug. They’re not just colours; they’re an experience, an adventure in every brush stroke. They blend like a dream and have this way of making the mundane look magical.
These are the colours I use most often. If you want to use pigments from a different supplier, I have written a blog post about how to find the right substitute.
Winsor & Newton
I regularly use Winsor & Newton Professional Watercolour Paints as well. However, they have become difficult for me to come by in Australia, and I decided to make the switch to Schmincke. Keep using them though, because they are wonderful, very reliable paints that I like a lot.
Paper That’s Basically My Bestie
Arches
Every painting begins with a canvas that can uphold the weight of my artistic visions. Arches Watercolour Paper stands unrivalled in this regard. Its durable texture, ability to withstand heavy washes, and preservation of the vibrancy of colours make it the perfect foundation for my works. Whether it's the cold press for its versatile texture or the hot press for its smoothness ideal for detailed works, Arches supports my creative journey like no other. This paper is the Beyoncé of all watercolour papers – strong, reliable, and absolutely flawless. Each sheet is like a promise of a new adventure we’re about to embark on together.
I always prefer to stretch watercolour paper before I use it.
Quality- 100% cotton watercolour paper is one of the art supplies that makes a world of difference to the painting experience.
Fabriano Artistico
Whether it's the gentle caress of a wet-on-wet technique or the bold declaration of vibrant hues striking the paper, Fabriano stands ready to embrace every idea, every emotion.
It's forgiving, too, allowing for those happy accidents that often turn into the most cherished parts of a painting. I really like their soft press paper. It lays between hot press and cold press paper.
This is painted on Fabriano Artistico soft press watercolour paper.
Soft press paper has a delicate tooth that sits between cold press and hot press.
Gatorboard: The Unsung Hero
Gatorboard is one of the supplies I use with every painting I complete. I have about ten boards that I attach the paper to after I have stretched it. I like to have paper stretched in advance so that it's ready to paint on when I am.
Now, let’s talk about my secret weapon: Gatorboard. This bad boy is the reason of perfectly flat paper - every single time. Stretching my watercolour paper on this sturdy board means no buckling or warping, just smooth sailing and happy painting. It’s like having a reliable friend who’s always got your back – no drama, just solid support.
Gatorboard is the unsung hero of my studio, the silent partner in the preparation of my canvas. Its role in stretching watercolour paper is indispensable, providing a stable, warp-resistant surface that ensures my paper remains taut and true. This preparation is crucial, as it allows me to work with the freedom and confidence that comes from knowing the canvas will not buckle under the weight of my imagination.
Gatorboard has taught me the value of preparation, the importance of a stable foundation upon which the spontaneity and fluidity of watercolour can be freely expressed.
Studio Must-Haves: My Lifesavers 🏝️🆘
From the palettes that keep my paints workable, to the LED Daylight Lamp that reveals the true colours of my palette, water containers, gummed tape, transfer paper or masking fluid —each piece of these art supplies plays a crucial role. These art materials, often overlooked, are fundamental in creating an environment where creativity can flourish unencumbered.
Palettes
I prefer to use ceramic palettes because they don’t stain, and they are easier to clean.
This Jackson’s Ceramic Palette is easy to clean, non-staining, and has 33 wells around a large colour mixing area.
I like this palette because the wells are a good size and there is ample room for me to mix paint. It has a plastic cover that is helpful for keeping dust off the paint when not in use.
It’s a heavy palette, so it’s only suitable for studio use.
One of my large paint palettes.
My stackable small paint wells.
These easy to clean ceramic round palettes are suitable for watercolour and stack together nicely, allowing for neat storage.
The rounded lid doubles up as a palette, allowing for even more colour mixing. If I need a lot of a particular colour, I tend to use these palettes so that I don’t run out of paint.
Painting Tools
An interesting tool that can be used to apply masking fluid is a ruling pen. They are traditionally used by draftsmen and architects for creating precise lines and technical drawings. They consist of two adjustable metal blades that can be adjusted to vary the thickness of the line being drawn. Furthermore, they are good to use if you require precision over the marks you are making.
I demonstrate using one in this blog post.
A ruling pen is one my most recently purchased supplies.
The Bare Necessities of (art) life
Every art studio has its necessities, the unsung heroes behind every masterpiece.
I use a Staedtler Mars Micro 775-05 Mechanical Pencil in 0.5mm for my sketches and to tidy things up.
Although I try to steer clear of masking fluid, if I can, this one is my favourite to use if I cannot avoid it.
I use a Lumi Daylight Task Lamp to always be able to paint in ideal conditions.
To transfer line drawings to watercolour paper I use transfer paper or saral paper.
Sarah transfer paper comes on a roll.
Leo is usually near me wherever I am.
And of course, I can't forget Leo, my adorable cat, studio helper and master of mischief is always by my side when I paint.
Wrapping It Up! 🎁
So there you have it – a sneak peek into my treasure chest of favourite art supplies. Each one of these gems has a special place in my heart (and my art). They remind me that with the right tools in hand (and a dash of passion), creating art is not just fun; it’s an absolute blast!
Each piece of equipment, each brush, and each pigment in my studio tells a part of my story, a testament to the trials, errors, and triumphs of my artistic journey. They are not just tools but extensions of my vision, mediators between the canvas of my imagination and the tangible beauty of the finished art piece.
Remember, it’s not about having all the fancy tools; it’s about knowing and loving the ones you’ve got. In sharing this glimpse into my studio and the tools of my trade, I hope to inspire you to find those special companions in your artistic journey. So go ahead, give your art supplies a little extra love today – they deserve it!
Until next time, keep those brushes wet and those colours vibrant! 🌈❤️
If you are interested in learning to paint in watercolour, I have over 170 online, voiced over watercolour tutorials for all skill levels.