Favorite Art Supplies

Every single day I'm asked what supplies I'm using so look no further! Here they are, all of my favorites! I would absolutely love it if you do purchase some of these supplies to do so through my affiliate links via Blick listed below. The small percentage I earn off of your purchases help me keep the cost of any custom artwork as low as possible.

Brushes

It's all about the bricks...

Y'all love some brickwork. Grab the 2/0 if you're brave enough to try the tiny bricks but if you're just starting out, the 2 is where it's at!

Princeton Mini Brush - Flat Shader, Mini Handle, 2/0 Princeton Mini Brush - Flat Shader, Mini Handle, 2/0 Princeton Mini Brush - Flat Shader, Mini Handle, Size 2 Princeton Mini Brush - Flat Shader, Mini Handle, Size 2

Best for larger surface areas

For everything smaller than an 11x14, I use my size 6. They are all the same shape and the main difference is how crisp you can cut in and how much water they hold. These are my favorites for a quick surface wash or filling in a roof. 

Princeton Good Synthetic Golden Taklon Brush - Round, Short Handle, Size 6 Princeton Good Synthetic Golden Taklon Brush - Round, Short Handle, Size 6 Princeton Good Synthetic Golden Taklon Brush - Round, Short Handle, Size 10 Princeton Good Synthetic Golden Taklon Brush - Round, Short Handle, Size 10 Princeton Mini Brush - Round, Mini Handle, Size 2 Princeton Mini Brush - Round, Mini Handle, Size 2

Some new favorites

I prefer brushes a little bit smaller for bricks but I'm excited to try these for things like cement blocks. The flat shaders are absolutely my favorite for super crisp shadows and blending out harsh lines. Just don't use the same brush you use for bricks - it will fray!

Princeton Velvetouch Series 3950 Synthetic Brush - Flat Shader, Mini, Size 0 Princeton Velvetouch Series 3950 Synthetic Brush - Flat Shader, Mini, Size 0 Princeton Velvetouch Series 3950 Synthetic Brush - Flat Shader, Size 2 Princeton Velvetouch Series 3950 Synthetic Brush - Flat Shader, Size 2 Winsor & Newton Sceptre Gold II Brush - Pointed Round, Short Handle, Size 0 Winsor & Newton Sceptre Gold II Brush - Pointed Round, Short Handle, Size 0

Watercolor

Here are my favorites in the order of business growth. I started with the Pelikan pan set and still use it almost daily. They are incredibly vibrant for the price. As I started to get more custom orders that required custom-mixed colors, I started buying the tubes. If you can't invest in a complete set yet, start with the neutrals. Davy's Gray, Payne's Gray, White and Van Dyke Brown paired with the Pelikan set will get you 90% of the way there.

Pelikan Watercolor and Gouache Pans - Transparent Colors, Set of 24 Pelikan Watercolor and Gouache Pans - Transparent Colors, Set of 24 Blick Artists' Watercolors - Mixing Set, Set of 5 colors, 14 ml tubes Blick Artists' Watercolors - Mixing Set, Set of 5 colors, 14 ml tubes Winsor & Newton Professional Watercolor - Lightweight Sketchers' Box Set of 12 Tubes Winsor & Newton Professional Watercolor - Lightweight Sketchers' Box Set of 12 Tubes

Pencils and Erasers

The GOLD here. The pencil is just my favorite sketching pencil. It won't damage the paper and the refills are super cheap. I almost go through an entire eraser every week.

Pentel Graph Gear 500 Pencil - 0.7 mm , Blue Barrel Pentel Graph Gear 500 Pencil - 0.7 mm , Blue Barrel Tombow Mono Eraser - Pkg of 5 Tombow Mono Eraser - Pkg of 5 Pentel Hi-Polymer Erasers - Pkg of 3 Pentel Hi-Polymer Erasers - Pkg of 3
Tombow Mono Colored Pencil Eraser - Pkg of 2 Tombow Mono Colored Pencil Eraser - Pkg of 2

Pens

What pens do you use that won't bleed with the watercolor?! Micron. Every single time, it's Micron. The trick is to outline before you paint but let it cure for a few hours (or overnight) before you erase pencil lines or add water. If you do either of those too quickly, it will smudge or bleed.  

Sakura Pigma Micron Pens - Set of 6, Black, 005 Sakura Pigma Micron Pens - Set of 6, Black, 005

Paper

My all-time favorite paper is Strathmore Cold Press. It can take an absolute beating. You can load it up with water and smash your brushes right into the paper before you barely start to notice the texture changing. If you are wanting to sell your artwork, invest in the paper. The 400 series block is almost as good but it's got slightly more natural texture than the cold press. The 300 is a great starting point but be mindful of how much you're layering so you don't start to wear the paper down.

Strathmore Ready Cut Watercolor Sheets - 8'' x 10'', Cold Press, 10 Sheets Strathmore Ready Cut Watercolor Sheets - 8'' x 10'', Cold Press, 10 Sheets Strathmore 400 Series Watercolor Block - 9'' x 12'', 15 Sheets Strathmore 400 Series Watercolor Block - 9'' x 12'', 15 Sheets Strathmore 300 Series Tape Bound Watercolor Pad - 9'' x 12'', Cold Press, Tapebound Strathmore 300 Series Tape Bound Watercolor Pad - 9'' x 12'', Cold Press, Tapebound

Palettes

Even if you're on a budget, get this palette. If you're wanting to invest, get one with a few more wells. I only use porcelain palettes now because they are so easy to clean and they don't stain. 10/10 absolutely will not use anything else.

Porcelain Palette - 3 3/4'' x 3/4'' x 7'', 10 Wells, Rectangular Porcelain Palette - 3 3/4'' x 3/4'' x 7'', 10 Wells, Rectangular Nesting Bowl Set - Small x 1/2'' x 3'', With 1 Lid, Set of 5 Nesting Bowl Set - Small x 1/2'' x 3'', With 1 Lid, Set of 5

Frames

Slightly less exciting than the materials but here are the frames I offer with some of my houses. They are great quality for the money and allow me to offer a well-rounded gift without doubling the price to offer a custom framing option. They have an acrylic pane instead of glass which makes shipping an absolute breeze. It also cuts down on the glare too!

Blick Wood Gallery Frame - Black, 9'' x 12'' Blick Wood Gallery Frame - Black, 9'' x 12'' Blick Wood Gallery Frame - Walnut, 9'' x 12'' Blick Wood Gallery Frame - Walnut, 9'' x 12''