Jenny over at Craft Test Dummies asked me to put together a shopping guide for the holidays. So, here are some of my favorite art supplies:
Stocking-stuffers- $15 or less
White Water-Based Sharpie Paint Pen
This amazing pen comes in four tip sizes: Extra Fine Point, Fine Point, Medium Point, and Extra Bold Point. This is a super opaque white pen that writes on a multitude of surfaces. It's my favorite for writing on top of acrylic paint.
I love this super black waterproof India Ink. I use it with my nib pens for writing in my art journal and also water it down for painting.
At just $1.99 a bottle, these matte acrylic paints (matte paint = art journal pages don't stick together) are a super bargain. I think the colors are quite sophisticated and interesting. Definitely my favorite craft paints!
This is a stencil that I designed to help people who feel they can't draw. The stencil makes it easy to add a face to an art journal page or a canvas. You can watch a how-to video here. An number of people have told me that after using the stencil for a while they graduated to painting faces without it! I love hearing that!
Mid-Range Gifts- $75 or less
This is one of my current obsessions! It's the best paper for painting and then collaging. Think of it as tissue paper that doesn't tear when you get it wet.
Every single time I have done a Gelli Plate printing demonstration people gasp. It's that awesome. I think every artist should have one! P.S. I'll be offering an online Gelli Printing class very soon! :)
Sakura Koi Watercolor Travel Set
I adore the little set of twelve colors. It comes in tiny box that you can fit in your purse (or even your pocket) and with one of Sakura's awesome waterbrushes. I take one with me every single time I travel.
Every artist should have a set of nib pens in his/her arsenal. The "Student" set is my favorite — lots of different tips means lots of fun ways to experiment with writing and drawing.
Caran D'Ache Neocolor II Crayons
For my money, these are still the hands-down best water-soluble crayons on the market. Highly pigmented and super versatile, I have a large set for home and a small set for travel. Can't live without them!
It's a little more pricey than other carvable rubber products out there, but it's the best. Other blocks crumble and break, but the pink stuff does not. If you are going to take the time to carve a rubber stamp, I highly recommend using the good stuff.
For just $25 for a month-long membership, lynda.com is an amazing value. During that month-long membership you can take as many of their online video classes as you want. I used it to learn Illustrator and improve my Dreamweaver and Photoshop skills. Any computer program you can think of, they've got video lessons!
I have the large 16"x24" palette (way larger than the one in the photo above) and I love it! It's perfect for mixing colors — lots of room to play — and dried paint peels right up!
Luxe Gifts- $75 and UP
My brother bought me this printer six or seven Christmases ago and I love it! I use it for all my photo printing, for my Project Life — I even take it to crops with me. It's awesome and the print quality is top notch!
I love my Wacom Tablet! I use it for all photo editing, digital art-making, and even instead of a mouse most days. Highly recommended if you do any work in Photoshop or Illustrator.
I lovemy H-Frame easel. Being able to paint upright (as opposed to the canvas lying down on a table) has made a big difference in the quality of my work.
Absolutely everything on this list is something that I use and love! I hope that you will too!
Julie~
Love the list and I love the daily updates! Just started art journaling in September and I’m hooked. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!
Julie~
Love the list and I love the daily updates! Just started art journaling in September and I’m hooked. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!
Julie~
Love the list and I love the daily updates! Just started art journaling in September and I’m hooked. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!
Julie~
Love the list and I love the daily updates! Just started art journaling in September and I’m hooked. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!
Julie~
Love the list and I love the daily updates! Just started art journaling in September and I’m hooked. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!
Nice suggestions. I so need the Sharpie!
Nice suggestions. I so need the Sharpie!
Nice suggestions. I so need the Sharpie!
Nice suggestions. I so need the Sharpie!
Nice suggestions. I so need the Sharpie!
The deli paper is the all-time great joy for me (a confessed paper hoarder). Ever since your recent class at Westbeth I have been using this product and it’s amazing. Would be an awesome gift for anyone who hasn’t tried it yet so go get some and spread the joy.
The deli paper is the all-time great joy for me (a confessed paper hoarder). Ever since your recent class at Westbeth I have been using this product and it’s amazing. Would be an awesome gift for anyone who hasn’t tried it yet so go get some and spread the joy.
The deli paper is the all-time great joy for me (a confessed paper hoarder). Ever since your recent class at Westbeth I have been using this product and it’s amazing. Would be an awesome gift for anyone who hasn’t tried it yet so go get some and spread the joy.
The deli paper is the all-time great joy for me (a confessed paper hoarder). Ever since your recent class at Westbeth I have been using this product and it’s amazing. Would be an awesome gift for anyone who hasn’t tried it yet so go get some and spread the joy.
The deli paper is the all-time great joy for me (a confessed paper hoarder). Ever since your recent class at Westbeth I have been using this product and it’s amazing. Would be an awesome gift for anyone who hasn’t tried it yet so go get some and spread the joy.
Great list! I already have many of these items thanks to you! Working on getting the GelliPlate next! Thanks for putting this together!
Great list! I already have many of these items thanks to you! Working on getting the GelliPlate next! Thanks for putting this together!
Great list! I already have many of these items thanks to you! Working on getting the GelliPlate next! Thanks for putting this together!
Great list! I already have many of these items thanks to you! Working on getting the GelliPlate next! Thanks for putting this together!
Great list! I already have many of these items thanks to you! Working on getting the GelliPlate next! Thanks for putting this together!
Great List!!!!!
Thanks for posting.
Great List!!!!!
Thanks for posting.
Great List!!!!!
Thanks for posting.
Great List!!!!!
Thanks for posting.
Great List!!!!!
Thanks for posting.
I’m gonna just send this page to hubby!!! 🙂
I’m gonna just send this page to hubby!!! 🙂
I’m gonna just send this page to hubby!!! 🙂
I’m gonna just send this page to hubby!!! 🙂
I’m gonna just send this page to hubby!!! 🙂
Great list! The Gelli and the Deli are on my radar, especially with news of your new class! 🙂
Great list! The Gelli and the Deli are on my radar, especially with news of your new class! 🙂
Great list! The Gelli and the Deli are on my radar, especially with news of your new class! 🙂
Great list! The Gelli and the Deli are on my radar, especially with news of your new class! 🙂
Great list! The Gelli and the Deli are on my radar, especially with news of your new class! 🙂
Please tell me more about your Gelli plate class!! I just got one a couple weeks ago and want to learn more about using it.
Please tell me more about your Gelli plate class!! I just got one a couple weeks ago and want to learn more about using it.
Please tell me more about your Gelli plate class!! I just got one a couple weeks ago and want to learn more about using it.
Please tell me more about your Gelli plate class!! I just got one a couple weeks ago and want to learn more about using it.
Please tell me more about your Gelli plate class!! I just got one a couple weeks ago and want to learn more about using it.
Great list…I’d be delighted with any of these…or all for that matter.
Great list…I’d be delighted with any of these…or all for that matter.
Great list…I’d be delighted with any of these…or all for that matter.
Great list…I’d be delighted with any of these…or all for that matter.
Great list…I’d be delighted with any of these…or all for that matter.
Thanks for sharing your list! I LOVE the Gelli plate. I also got a package of the deli paper at Sams recently for around $12. Definately going to check out the software classes and the non-stick palate.
Thanks for sharing your list! I LOVE the Gelli plate. I also got a package of the deli paper at Sams recently for around $12. Definately going to check out the software classes and the non-stick palate.
Thanks for sharing your list! I LOVE the Gelli plate. I also got a package of the deli paper at Sams recently for around $12. Definately going to check out the software classes and the non-stick palate.
Thanks for sharing your list! I LOVE the Gelli plate. I also got a package of the deli paper at Sams recently for around $12. Definately going to check out the software classes and the non-stick palate.
Thanks for sharing your list! I LOVE the Gelli plate. I also got a package of the deli paper at Sams recently for around $12. Definately going to check out the software classes and the non-stick palate.
Thanks for posting the list!
Thanks for posting the list!
Thanks for posting the list!
Thanks for posting the list!
Thanks for posting the list!
My husband bought me a Wacom Bamboo Tablet and Photoshop this year. I am still getting to grips with them but have already had lots of fun. Great list. Thank you.
My husband bought me a Wacom Bamboo Tablet and Photoshop this year. I am still getting to grips with them but have already had lots of fun. Great list. Thank you.
My husband bought me a Wacom Bamboo Tablet and Photoshop this year. I am still getting to grips with them but have already had lots of fun. Great list. Thank you.
My husband bought me a Wacom Bamboo Tablet and Photoshop this year. I am still getting to grips with them but have already had lots of fun. Great list. Thank you.
My husband bought me a Wacom Bamboo Tablet and Photoshop this year. I am still getting to grips with them but have already had lots of fun. Great list. Thank you.
My husband bought me a Wacom Bamboo Tablet and Photoshop this year. I am still getting to grips with them but have already had lots of fun. Great list. Thank you.
My husband bought me a Wacom Bamboo Tablet and Photoshop this year. I am still getting to grips with them but have already had lots of fun. Great list. Thank you.
My husband bought me a Wacom Bamboo Tablet and Photoshop this year. I am still getting to grips with them but have already had lots of fun. Great list. Thank you.
My husband bought me a Wacom Bamboo Tablet and Photoshop this year. I am still getting to grips with them but have already had lots of fun. Great list. Thank you.
My husband bought me a Wacom Bamboo Tablet and Photoshop this year. I am still getting to grips with them but have already had lots of fun. Great list. Thank you.
Julie,
I just got a gelli plate and I love love love it. I am very interested in attending your online gelli plate class.
Gail
Julie,
I just got a gelli plate and I love love love it. I am very interested in attending your online gelli plate class.
Gail
Julie,
I just got a gelli plate and I love love love it. I am very interested in attending your online gelli plate class.
Gail
Julie,
I just got a gelli plate and I love love love it. I am very interested in attending your online gelli plate class.
Gail
Julie,
I just got a gelli plate and I love love love it. I am very interested in attending your online gelli plate class.
Gail
Great list. Thanks for putting it together.
Thank you so much for posting this list. I have been wondering about a tablet and your suggestion was quickly passed along to my hubby! I want one for Christmas!
Thank you so much for posting this list. I have been wondering about a tablet and your suggestion was quickly passed along to my hubby! I want one for Christmas!
Thank you so much for posting this list. I have been wondering about a tablet and your suggestion was quickly passed along to my hubby! I want one for Christmas!
Thank you so much for posting this list. I have been wondering about a tablet and your suggestion was quickly passed along to my hubby! I want one for Christmas!
Thank you so much for posting this list. I have been wondering about a tablet and your suggestion was quickly passed along to my hubby! I want one for Christmas!
Great list! I had a wacom tablet years ago in another lifetime. Might have to add that to my list of new toys for the new year! And I’ve never tried Blicks matte paints. Thanks for the suggestions.
Great list! I had a wacom tablet years ago in another lifetime. Might have to add that to my list of new toys for the new year! And I’ve never tried Blicks matte paints. Thanks for the suggestions.
Great list! I had a wacom tablet years ago in another lifetime. Might have to add that to my list of new toys for the new year! And I’ve never tried Blicks matte paints. Thanks for the suggestions.
Great list! I had a wacom tablet years ago in another lifetime. Might have to add that to my list of new toys for the new year! And I’ve never tried Blicks matte paints. Thanks for the suggestions.
Great list! I had a wacom tablet years ago in another lifetime. Might have to add that to my list of new toys for the new year! And I’ve never tried Blicks matte paints. Thanks for the suggestions.
LOVE your list – gonna have to get some of that deli paper – and I need to check out the Blick Matte paint – LOVE my Sharpie paint pen!! It rocks!
LOVE your list – gonna have to get some of that deli paper – and I need to check out the Blick Matte paint – LOVE my Sharpie paint pen!! It rocks!
LOVE your list – gonna have to get some of that deli paper – and I need to check out the Blick Matte paint – LOVE my Sharpie paint pen!! It rocks!
LOVE your list – gonna have to get some of that deli paper – and I need to check out the Blick Matte paint – LOVE my Sharpie paint pen!! It rocks!
LOVE your list – gonna have to get some of that deli paper – and I need to check out the Blick Matte paint – LOVE my Sharpie paint pen!! It rocks!
I want everything on your list Julie, such awesome stuff there is out in the world!
I want everything on your list Julie, such awesome stuff there is out in the world!
I want everything on your list Julie, such awesome stuff there is out in the world!
I want everything on your list Julie, such awesome stuff there is out in the world!
I want everything on your list Julie, such awesome stuff there is out in the world!
Julie, I know you really live this printer, can you get it to print wirelessly from your iPhone? Thanks, Susan
Julie, I know you really live this printer, can you get it to print wirelessly from your iPhone? Thanks, Susan
Julie, I know you really live this printer, can you get it to print wirelessly from your iPhone? Thanks, Susan
Julie, I know you really live this printer, can you get it to print wirelessly from your iPhone? Thanks, Susan
Julie, I know you really live this printer, can you get it to print wirelessly from your iPhone? Thanks, Susan
No you cannot.
No you cannot.
No you cannot.
No you cannot.
No you cannot.