The right art supplies can unlock your creative potential. Quality tools help beginners build confidence and develop skills. Poor materials often frustrate new artists and discourage progress. Starting doesn't require breaking the bank. Smart choices let you explore different mediums without overspending.
This guide covers essential supplies for starting artists. We focus on budget-friendly options that deliver real results. You'll learn which tools matter most and which ones you can skip.
What Are Art Supplies?
Art supplies are tools that help you create visual art. They include everything from pencils to paints to paper. Each supply serves a specific purpose in the creative process.
Different supplies work with different techniques. Pencils excel at detailed drawings. Watercolors create transparent washes. Markers provide bold, flat colors. Quality affects your artistic journey more than you might expect. Better supplies respond predictably to your touch. They help you achieve the effects you envision.
Essential Drawing Supplies
Drawing forms the foundation of most art forms. Strong drawing skills support painting, illustration, and design work. Starting with basic drawing supplies makes sense for most beginners.
Paper and Drawing Surfaces
Your drawing surface affects every mark you make. Different papers suit different techniques and tools. Sketchbooks between 7"x10" and 9"x12" work well for beginners. These sizes fit comfortably on desks. They're portable enough for drawing on location.
Paper weight matters for durability and technique. Mixed media paper handles various tools well. Drawing paper works best for pencil and charcoal work. Spiral binding lets pages lay flat. Perfect binding looks cleaner but limits how wide you can open the book. Both work fine for beginners.
Cotton paper feels smoother and lasts longer. Wood pulp paper costs less and works well for practice. Start with wood pulp and upgrade later if needed.
Drawing Tools
- Graphite pencils offer the most control for beginners. They erase cleanly and allow precise shading.
- Essential pencil grades include HB, 2B, 4B, and 6B. HB works for light sketching. 2B handles general drawing. 4B and 6B create darker tones and shadows.
- Two eraser types serve different purposes. Standard rubber erasers remove marks cleanly. Kneaded erasers lift graphite gently and shape into points for detail work.
- Manual sharpeners work fine for most artists. Electric versions save time if you draw frequently. Keep pencils sharp for clean lines.
- Blending tools help create smooth gradations. Tortillons (paper stumps) blend small areas. Blending stumps handle larger sections. Your finger works too but leaves oils on paper.
- Charcoal adds drama to drawings. Compressed charcoal creates deep blacks. Vine charcoal produces lighter, more manageable marks. Both smudge easily so handle with care.
Color Media For Beginners
Adding color opens new creative possibilities. Different color media suit different styles and budgets.
Colored Pencils
Colored pencils bridge drawing and painting. They offer control similar to graphite pencils but add vibrant color. Student-grade pencils cost less but have harder cores. Professional-grade pencils blend better and show richer colors. Start with student-grade to learn the basics.
Prismacolor Premier leads the professional category. Their soft cores layer beautifully. Crayola works fine for testing whether you enjoy the medium.
Wax-based pencils dominate the market. Oil-based options like Faber-Castell Polychromos glide more smoothly. Both create beautiful art in skilled hands.
A colorless blender helps smooth transitions between colors. Buy one after you've decided you enjoy colored pencils.
Markers And Pens
Markers provide instant color without mixing or preparation. They work well for bold illustrations and quick sketches.
Alcohol markers create flat, even coverage. They blend smoothly while wet. Water-based markers streak more but cost less. Bullet nibs work for details. Chisel tips cover large areas faster. Brush tips offer the most versatility but cost more.
Colored pens combine convenience with precision. They don't bleed like markers. Gel pens and fine liners create clean, consistent lines. High-quality pens justify their cost through reliable performance. Cheap pens skip and fade. Invest in a few good pens rather than many poor ones.
Watercolors
Watercolors offer transparency and spontaneous effects. They're portable and forgiving for beginners. Pan watercolors come ready to use. Tube watercolors offer more pigment but require drying. Pans suit beginners better for convenience.
Student-grade options like Prang provide bright colors at low cost. They explode beautifully with wet-on-wet techniques. Meiliang offers step-up quality while staying affordable. Transparency lets colors layer without becoming muddy. Lightfastness determines how long colors remain vibrant. Student grades sacrifice lightfastness for affordability.
Watercolor paper handles water better than regular paper. Mixed media paper works as a budget alternative. Printer paper suffices for quick studies.
Painting Supplies
Painting introduces opacity and texture possibilities. Different paint types suit different approaches and skill levels.
Acrylic Paints
Acrylics work well for beginners because mistakes cover easily. They dry quickly and clean up with water. No toxic fumes make them apartment-friendly. Student-grade acrylics like Liquitex Basics offer good coverage at reasonable prices. They mix well and maintain intensity better than craft paints.
Canvas comes in several forms. Canvas pads work like sketchbooks. Canvas boards save space and money. Stretched canvases look most professional but cost more.
Start with a basic palette: titanium white, ivory black, cadmium red, ultramarine blue, and cadmium yellow. These colors mix to create most others.
RELATED: Best Base Colors For Acrylic Painting - A Beginner's Guide To Perfect Foundations
Gouache
Gouache combines watercolor's water-solubility with acrylic's opacity. It dries matte and reworks easily when rewetted.
Budget options like HIMI jelly gouache offer exceptional value. Their unique packaging keeps paint fresh. Arteza provides more traditional tubes with solid quality. Gouache forgives mistakes better than watercolor. You can paint light colors over dark ones. This makes it ideal for beginners learning color mixing.
Essential Tools and Accessories
Supporting tools help you use art supplies effectively. They organize your workspace and extend your materials' capabilities.
1. Brushes And Application Tools
Paintbrushes come in various sizes and shapes. Round brushes handle details and lines. Flat brushes cover areas quickly. Start with sizes 2, 6, and 10 in each shape.
Synthetic brushes work well with acrylics and gouache. Natural hair brushes suit watercolors better. Clean brushes immediately after use to extend their life.
Palette knives mix colors and create textural effects. They also help apply thick paint. A basic trowel shape handles most needs.
2. Mixing And Organization
Palettes hold and organize paint colors. Disposable paper palettes save cleanup time. Reusable palettes work better for slow-drying paints like oils.
Water containers need wide openings for easy brush cleaning. Mason jars work perfectly. Use two containers: one for initial cleaning, one for final rinse.
Storage keeps supplies organized and protected. Tackle boxes work well for small items. Drawers suit flat supplies like paper and canvas boards.
3. Drawing Board And Easel Stands
Drawing boards provide firm support for paper. Clipboards work for small sketches. Larger boards handle full-size drawings better.
Table easels save space in small studios. Floor easels offer better ergonomics for extended sessions. Choose based on your available space and physical needs.
Good easel stands like the KraftGeek Inspire Plen Air Easel adjust from table height to floor standing.
How To Set Up Your Art Space On A Budget
Creating an effective workspace doesn't require expensive furniture. Smart choices maximize function while minimizing cost.
- Look for damaged furniture at stores like Ikea. Small cosmetic flaws dramatically reduce prices. A tiny hole in a table bottom doesn't affect function.
- Repurpose existing furniture before buying new pieces. Dining tables work as art desks. Bookcases organize supplies efficiently. TV trays create portable workstations.
- Essential supplies include paper, pencils, erasers, and basic paints. Nice-to-have items can wait until you've developed preferences and skills.
- Shop budget stores first for basic supplies. Walmart and Target carry surprisingly good art materials. Dollar stores work for practice supplies and storage containers.
- Amazon offers convenience but compare prices with local stores. Art supply retailers like Blick often beat Amazon on specialized items. Sales and clearance sections provide the best values.
Quality vs. Budget Art Supplies
Understanding when to spend more helps stretch your budget effectively. Some supplies benefit from higher quality more than others.
- Student-grade supplies work fine for learning and practicing. Professional-grade materials shine when creating finished artwork. Buy student grade first, then upgrade favorite mediums.
- Lightfastness matters for artwork you plan to keep or sell. Student grades fade faster but cost much less. Decide based on your goals and timeline.
- Build your collection gradually rather than buying everything at once. Start with one medium and expand after mastering the basics. This prevents waste and reduces overwhelm.
- Brand recommendations vary by category. Prismacolor leads colored pencils. Liquitex dominates acrylics. Research reviews before major purchases.
Where to Buy Beginner Art Supplies
Online Retailers
Amazon offers vast selection and fast shipping. Prime members get additional discounts. Read reviews carefully to avoid disappointing purchases.
Blick Art Materials specializes in art supplies. They offer student discounts and bulk pricing. Their house brands provide excellent value.
KraftGeek focuses on affordable quality art supplies. They offer an easel stand designed for beginners.
Local vs. Big Box Stores
Local art stores provide expert advice and product demonstrations. They often match online prices. Supporting local businesses strengthens your art community.
Big box retailers like Walmart and Target carry basic supplies at low prices. Selection is limited but adequate for beginners. Convenient for quick supply runs.
Budget Shopping Tips
Budget stores often surprise with quality finds. Dollar Tree carries decent sketching supplies. Five Below stocks name-brand materials at reduced prices. Seasonal sales offer the best savings. Back-to-school and holiday clearances provide deep discounts. Stock up during sales for year-round use.
Generic brands often match name-brand quality at lower prices. Store brands from Walmart and Target perform surprisingly well. Test before committing to large quantities.
Conclusion
Starting your art journey requires only basic supplies and enthusiasm. Focus on essential items first. Expand your collection as skills and interests develop. Remember that supplies are tools, not obstacles to creativity. Expensive materials don't guarantee better art. Practice and passion matter more than premium brands.
Begin creating with whatever supplies you have available. Even basic pencils and copy paper can produce meaningful art. The most important step is simply starting.