There are a lot of factors that can affect the quality of artwork as well as the growth of an artist. Innate qualities such as perseverance, determination, and — of course — creativity are the most important factors of them all, and every artist should hone all these three. However, that said, you should still note that sometimes, there is another factor that can make an artwork extra impressive. And that factor is having the right art supplies and knowing how to use them properly.
You’re probably wondering right now: there are literally a lot of art supplies out there. How will you know which ones are essential for you, especially if you’re just a beginner? To help you narrow down, here are the top 10 essential art supplies that you need as an artist.
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Pencils
A lot of people like to overlook pencils because, for them, pencils are literally the most basic art tool in the world. And while that is technically true, it doesn’t mean that pencils are completely useless. In fact, it’s actually the opposite. Pencils are the most versatile out of all the art supplies. Not only are they useful in sketching, but they can also be helpful in other art forms such as painting, interior design, and dressmaking.
Plus, pencils come in a lot of types — from the traditional wooden to mechanical, to coloured pencils, to charcoal, and many more. Long story short, pencils are an all-around art supply, so they’re incredibly handy to have.
Erasers
This one is a no-brainer. If you’re going to keep pencils in your workspace, then it just makes sense that you’re also going to have erasers. After all, erasers are the ones that will get rid of the mistake that you’ve made while using a pencil. So, if you’re going to be primarily using pencils — or even if you’re not — it’s a good idea to have erasers nearby.
Pens
Pencils may be the most versatile art tool, but that still doesn’t change the fact that not everyone prefers them. Some artists would actually prefer using pens in their artistic endeavours. If that’s the case, then you better have pens in your art space. There are literally quite a lot of brands to choose from, so you will be able to find the ones that work the best for you.
Sketchbooks
Another highly essential art supply that every artist should have is a sketchbook. After all, you’d need something to sketch or draw your art on, and though typical papers work, they’re not really the most ideal for artistic purposes. For one, they’re easy to lose, and for another, sometimes their quality is not suited for art.
That is why, as an artist, you would need a sketchbook. With a sketchbook, all your papers are in one place, so you won’t lose your prized artworks. Plus, the papers in a sketchbook are designed primarily for artistic purposes. Long story short, as an artist, you need to have a sketchbook ready all the time.
Watercolour Paper
This is something that is not needed for every artist out there, but if you’re someone who enjoys watercolour painting, a stack of watercolour paper is a must-have. People have this wrong notion that you can use watercolour on any kind of paper, but that is not true. Watercolour is a medium that has different properties from the other kinds of paints, and that is why you would need a special kind of paper for it.
The watercolour paper actually comes with various types and pressures — the most common ones are the hot-pressed watercolour papers, cold-pressed, and rough. So, you have to figure out which kind of watercolour paper works the best for you.
Canvas
When anyone thinks of painting, the first thing that will probably pop up in their mind is the canvas. After all, it is the canvas where painters stroke their brushes to create the next masterpiece. So, if you specialize in painting, then you definitely need to have at least one canvas in your art space. You shouldn’t have a hard time finding canvases since they can be found and bought anywhere and they also come with a variety of sizes. All you have to do is find the right canvas that suits you.
Paints: Acrylics, Oils, Watercolour, or Inks
The canvas may be an iconic art tool for painting, but painting is literally pointless without the paints themselves. So, if you’re an aspiring painter, then you should always have a supply of paints ready at your workspace.
Luckily for you, the art of painting actually comes with a variety of mediums to choose from. There are acrylic paints, oil paints, watercolour, inks, and many more, and all these types of paints have their own properties and characteristics that make them different from each other. Sometimes, there are paints that would become your personal preference, and sometimes, there are paints that suit a project better than the others.
As a result, when you have to stock up on your paints, it’s always a good idea to keep a variety of them. Sure, over time, you’ll definitely develop a preference, but sometimes, you’ll get the urge to try out a different medium. And for that, you need to be ready.
Easel
Just like the canvas and paints, the easel is another staple in the art of painting. This art tool is the stand or frame that supports an artist’s canvas, and though it can be definitely helpful, some artists choose not to have one. This is because, for them, they think that the easel would just take up unnecessary space. It also doesn’t help that the easel can be expensive. But if your art space has enough room and you can afford it, it’s ideal to have an easel around.
Paintbrushes
Brushes are to painters what pencils are to sketch artists. Your painting will never come out as masterful and beautiful if you don’t have the brushes that you need. But luckily, paintbrushes are easy to be found, and they also come in a variety of sizes and shapes that fulfill different painting styles and techniques. As a result, you’ll definitely need more than one paintbrush for your art space. So, do your research on the various kinds of paintbrushes, and stock up on the ones that you think suit your style.
Palettes
When you’re painting, you will discover that you need to have something where you can squeeze your paints in one place. This is because that way, you’ll have an easier time reaching for these paints or mixing them to get that desired shade. If that’s the case, then you definitely need to have a palette, which is a rigid, flat surface on which a painter arranges or mixes their paints. Palettes are incredibly handy when you’re painting, so never miss out on them.
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Takeaway
Perseverance, determination, and creativity are of course the pillars in an artist’s growth and success. But sometimes, the secret to creating a great artwork can also lie on the art supplies that an artist has. That is why it is incredibly important to have the right essential tools in your art space and to know how to use them wisely. So, search for the art supplies that you need. And once you’ve found them, stock them up and use them to your heart’s content.
Source:
https://www.creativebloq.com/art/16-essential-art-tools-artists-41619768
https://www.thoughtco.com/what-is-a-painters-mahl-stick-2577635