START YOUR OWN STUDIO
You don't have to be a full-time artist to have your own art studio.
If you love to make art, then you deserve a dedicated space to create your joy.
(It's easier and more affordable than you think!)
There are no specific art supplies required for Making Joy With Art, but if you are in the market for some new goodies, I'm happy to share some of my tried and true favorites with you here.
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What's important is that you feel FREE when you're creating. If your paints or brushes feel "too precious," that feeling can get in the way of your intuitive art making process. That said, I recommend buying supplies that fit within your budget. When I first started painting, I often used cheap house paints on cardboards because that's what I could afford. I made some pretty cool things with those basic supplies!
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Remember, there's no formula here and that goes for art supplies too. Use what you have access to and remember not having what you think you need can open up new and interesting possibilities within your art.
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You can click on the products below to find them through Amazon (please note, I am an Amazon affiliate), or you can print out this page to purchase at your favourite art supply store.
GETTING STARTED
The first thing I recommend setting up is some kind of tiered cart. This can be as tall or tiny as you need it to be, but a place to store all of your paints, brushes, and any other medium you use. Having the cart on wheels is especially helpful if you are working in a space that doubles as a living area or guest room, and your studio needs to be consolidated or tucked away regularly.
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The second element of a functioning studio is a table. I use a large portable table which has plenty of room for my palette, most frequently used paints, a few brushes, and whatever small painting I’m working on at the time. I make sure to cover the table with towels or drop cloths. I also use these for my studio floor. If you’re carving out a space at home, drop cloths are a great way to cover the floors and prevent them from getting damaged. If you don’t have the space, spread a canvas or vinyl drop cloth over your kitchen/dining table and roll your paint cart right up next to you when it’s time to get to work.
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Third, you need a chair or stool. I use a stool when I’m painting larger canvases since I’m roughly the same height sitting on a stool as I am standing, and can easily transition between the two depending on how much physical movement is required for the actual painting process. Even though I mostly paint standing, I’ve had studios without an actual chair in it, and there’s something that’s an inherent bummer about getting tired and having to sit directly on a concrete floor (that may or may not have wet paint on it) instead of on a chair.
THE ESSENTIALS
OPTIONAL EXTRAS
If you paint on canvas or panel and have the space, I recommend using an easel. Easels can be small tabletop easels, or they can be tall pieces of furniture requiring a space of their own. The key benefit is that they elevate paintings to eye level so you’re not constantly straining your neck. I also like placing my canvas on the wall, using damage free hooks while ensure that I first cover the wall with pre-taped masking film.
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Lastly, if you have a space carved out for your creative practice that is relatively stable (not something you have to break down and put away after each painting session), shelving is a simple element of a studio that will immediately make you ten times more organized. I have also used a book shelf from Target that was handy. Another great way to store things that you accumulate, as you develop a more regular painting practice, is to store them in containers.
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The above mentioned are the things I have in my studio that make all the difference. The key to a functional studio space is having a place for everything, and if it’s at all possible leave your space set up and organised. Half the battle is getting out your materials and setting up your space, so if there’s anywhere you can leave your paint cart, have a few shelves, and keep a canvas at arms reach, by all means carve out that space and make it your own!
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If your studio currently looks a lot like my first studio (a corner of a shared space), start by focusing on those first three simple elements: a paint cart, a table, and a chair. You likely have at least two out of three already, and it’s all easy enough to break down and re-assemble if you’re unable to leave your creative space intact from day to day.
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Have a look at some of the other items below that you might like to get your hands on when starting your own studio! I've added links for each item so you can purchase if you need to!
CANVAS
I often paint on pre-stretched canvas. When you purchase it from the art supply store, it usually comes pre-gessoed (if it is a smooth white, you know it’s primed and ready to go).
With my process, I find larger canvases offer more freedom and space to play. I commonly use sizes 122x91cm or 92x92cm from a local art shop. I also like using 45x45cm size canvases.
Other surfaces that work great for acrylic painting are watercolor paper, panels (pine or masonite from the hardware store), wood, or cardboard. You can even paint over old paintings you find at thrift stores. Some of these surfaces will not be “archival,” but they are great for practice and learning.
You are always welcome to prime your surfaces with gesso before you start.
WATERCOLOR PAPER
Watercolor paper is a great inexpensive surface.
I recommend finding paper that has some weight so it can hold the water without becoming too wavy.
You can also cut it down to any size you want.
I often clean my dirty brushes off on watercolor paper to begin a new layer and save paint from going down the drain.
BRUSHES
I love using high-quality paint, but I often find inexpensive brushes work well for my process.
I love POLY foam brushes from the hardware store and any brand of cheap bristle brushes from the art supply store.
In my art workshops, I have used Crafter’s Choice brushes.
I also love these White Synthetic Brushes I suggest using a variety of shapes and sizes, including a pointy tip for details.
PAINTING TOOLS
Anything can be a painting tool!
I love using things like pens, bottle caps, bubble wrap, combs, vegetables, and really anything I can find that might make an interesting stamp or mark.
You may also catch me using Catalyst Blades for etching into paint.
No need to buy anything new, just look around the house and be creative!
The possibilities are endless.
PALETTE
I currently use palette paper as surface for my paint.
You can also use glass or plastic palettes. Whatever works best for you.
Helpful hint to clean your glass palette, spray it down with water and let it sit for one full minute.
Next, use a razor to scrape off all the remaining bits of paint. It should all come off effortlessly!
WATER SPRAY BOTTLE
I always have a water bottle with a "mist" setting nearby.
I use my spray bottle to create drips in my paintings, and I also use it to spray down the paints on my palette to keep them from drying out.
BARRIER CREAM
Applying barrier cream to your hands before you paint creates a thin protective barrier between your hands and the paint.
This cream also makes cleaning paint off your hands much easier.
My favorite brand is called Invisible Glove.
You can also use gloves if you do not want to get paint on your hands. This is your choice.
ACRYLIC PAINT
For new painters, I suggest starting with a basic set of acrylic paints and adding to your collection as you go. To start, make sure you have titanium white, a black, a red, a yellow, and a blue.
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Some of my absolute favorite colors are by Linquitex: Magenta, Rose Pink, Fluorescent Red, Turquoise Blue, Naples Yellow. I also love the following colour by Golden: Gold, Carbon black and Teal.
I suggest getting a mix of fluid and heavy-bodied paint overall. I tend to use both.
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I also love Holbein Acrylics. This Holbein “Luminous Set” is particularly lovely.
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Another great, more affordable option I love to work with is these Matte Acrylics, which has a wide variety of matte colors to choose from. I really love using the Matte Acrylics along with the more translucent Golden colors for contrast.
ACRYLIC GLAZING MEDIUM
If you don't have fluid paint, I suggest grabbing some acrylic glazing medium to add to your heavy-bodied paints to create more fluidity.
Water works too!
Acrlyic glazing medium is also great for making translucent layers.
I love “gloss", but any sheen will work.
VARNISH
Once the painting is finished and you know you don’t want to add any more layers, I recommend varnishing it with a matte or gloss by Liquitex to protect your work (especially if you plan to sell it).
I always wear a ventilator and work outside when I'm spraying varnish because this stuff is very fumey.
EASELS & DROP CLOTHS
Some painters love easels, but I prefer to paint directly on a wall by hanging my canvases on two screws.
It's more sturdy this way and the canvases are straight up and down vs. at an angle.
To protect your wall and floor from paint, I suggest pinning up a large drop cloth or plastic sheet to the wall and letting it come all the way down and out across the floor beneath your canvas.
If the surface you’re standing on is too slippery, you can find a small rug from a thrift store to put on top of your plastic drop cloth.
BLANK JOURNAL
There's a reason artists have always carried a sketchbook to record inspiration from the world around them and thoughts as they flow through.
I recommend this practice as well. I also suggest having some loose cardstock or mixed media paper handy for inspiration archiving.
APRON, WATER & RAGS
Acrylic paint won’t wash out of fabric, so I definitely recommend using an apron and/or comfy painting clothes that you don’t mind getting messy.
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You'll also need a cup or jar of water to put your brushes in to keep them from drying out while you are painting.
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It's helpful to have some old rags on hand as well. Old towels or sheets work great! The paint will not wash out of the rags, so only use something you don’t mind tossing later.
LIGHTING
If your painting space doesn’t already have good light, I suggest grabbing some extra clip lights at the hardware store so you can direct them as you need.
Make sure you use full-spectrum light bulb so you can see your true colors.
