This year has been amazing for my artist side. I've been setting the goal of "make more art" for the last three years. But I always pushed it aside for blogging. But in January I started following a ton of artist YouTubers and I have been creating more art than I ever have. In 2018 I did a decent amount of digital art but this year I've been diving headfirst into the traditional art. Since this is the first time I've really gotten into traditional art I've gotten a lot of art supplies over the last 2 and half months. So I wanted to share my supplies as a budding artist.
Almost every artist I've started following on YT using alcohol markers so that was first on my wishlist. Copics are the most popular but are crazy expensive. It does even out since you can refill them but I didn't have $100 bucks to drop on a decent set of colours so I looked for alternatives. Most YT artists rave about Ohuhu markers, but they only have a bullet nib, not a brush nib so I looked around for others.
I evened up choosing the Darice Studio 71 Dual-Tip Alcohol Markers. I bought the 48 set which I believe is the biggest pack. These markers have a brush tip and the swatches looked really good in the reviews so I decided to go for it. When I bought them they were $38. I think they are $48 now which is still only about $1.00 a marker. Which is really awesome compared to Copics $4-6 a marker. I really like these markers. They swatch, colour and blend beautifully. The alcohol smell isn't really strong. I also like that I can replace the colours with Copics as I move them.
I don't use coloured pencils all that much so I haven't gotten a nicer set yet. I still use my Crayola 36 pack I've had for quite a while. I also have a pack of 10 Crayola Washable markers that I was going to use as Watercolour until my dad surprised me with the Prang 16 Pan Watercolor set. They are still a Student/Drugstore grade but they are real watercolour which is much nicer than watered-down markers. They are semi-moist so they aren't chalky like a Crayola or a Rose Art set. They are $10 but are super nice! I'm really excited to practice with these learn all I can about watercolour painting. When I start to hit pan I'll look into a nicer set.
For fineliners, I have 2 sets. I bought the MISULOVE Black Micro-Pen Fineliner Ink Pens. They came to be waterproof but I decided to get a set of Sakura Pigma Microns just to be safe for my watercolours. The MISULOVE does really well with the alcohol markers. I originally got the MISULOVE because of the price by I think I'll probably use my Microns more. Both are nice and black and I really like both sets of tips. But if I'm not sure if I'll be doing watercolour I'll reach for the Microns.
For basic sketching, I use basic Bic Mechanical pencils and erase with a Faber-Castell kneaded eraser. I also use a basic white plastic eraser that I got in a pack at Walmart. I think it's one of the Walmart brands. Like "Simply" or something like that. I tossed the package.
For highlights, I use the Uni-Ball UM 153 Signo Broad Point Gel Pen. I got them in a 3 pack and I love them! I also have a set of iBayam Journal Planner Colored Fineliner Pens which I bought for my bullet journal but I can also use for detail work.
I also have a pack of Tombow Dual Brush Pen Art Markers Pastel Set. I also bought these for my bullet journal and at the time I had no idea they are considered one of the best-waterbased markers out there and that you can use water on a brush to blend them. Now I just need more! More! More!
For paper, I use basic white 80lb cardstock for sketches, pencil and marker pieces and Canson Mixed media paper for water pieces. I've got a watercolour paper in my Amazon cart. I'm just waiting on my next Etsy payment. That stuff is pricey.
I also have drawing paper pads for my composite sketches. I've got a few basic cheep pads and get Canson 50LB Sketch pads too. I also use printer paper. Kind of just use whatever I can get my hands on.
I also like to use a Classic Sharpie, an Ultra Fine Sharpie and some Metallic Sharpies. I use the back for lining watercolour and the metallics for details.
I also got this really cute "paint" organizer on Amazon. The slots are a little short so stuff falls out now and then. But I love how it separates things. My Tombows are far too long so I leave them laying out on the table. I'll have to find something to organize them when I get more.
And those are my current art supplies! I have a ton of stuff on my wishlist so maybe I'll do an Art Supplies wishlist post soon. Watching art YouTubers is really bad for my wallet.
What art supplies should I try? Let me know in the comments!
Thanks so much for reading this post! I hope you enjoyed it! Please leave a like if you did, it's much appreciated!
Photo Credit: Photo taken by me with a Canon EOS Rebel T5 with an 18-55mm lens and edited by me in Photoshop.
**This post was not sponsored**