10 Must have budget friendly art essentials for painting!
Last year I let you all know that Impurrfectlife was adding a new dimension to the blog. In addition to informative pet related content and life inspirational quotes, I also wanted to incorporate more of my art. In a prior post of mine called “The Healing Power of Art” I expressed my reconnection to art after many years, coincidentally after the loss of my pet Dusty.
Reconnecting with my creative side allowed me to find healing and joy in a way I did not expect. With this discovery I stuck with this renewed passion and have since found ways to share my creations online with you. So today I’m going to share with you my 10 must have budget friendly art essentials for creating my own painting masterpieces!
Okay sure I’m no Picasso but that’s okay. This is Impurrfectlife after all right!? That’s the beauty of art. Every piece of art speaks to the heart of someone differently. So, with that said, let me break down my 10 must have essentials for painting art. Keep in mind, I’m not a professional artist however do love art and have a passion for creating new things.
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Sketch pad
More often than not, I like to do my painting free form on canvas and go with the flow, however despite that I do like to capture my ideas on paper first. That’s where my sketch pad comes in. Every artist needs a place to capture those brilliant ideas or even just brainstorm. So, having a sketch pad is a must!
My pick! Artist’s Loft Fundamentals Sketching Pad Spiral Bound 9 x 12 by Artists Loft
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Pencils
How else can you sketch your ideas! Duh! I know there are a variety of pencils to use however, I’m fine using a No.2 basic pencil. The finer the point the better. Sometimes sketches require more detail.
Amazon Pick! Artist’s Loft Fundamentals Sketching & Drawing Set
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Easel
I don’t know about you but I’m used to city living and that means minimal space, so I use a compact easel for my art space at the moment. Life goals include a separate studio room or space but you work with what you got right? I like Artist’s Loft compact table top easel. It’s easy to use and great for small spaces/countertops.
My Pick! Artist’s Loft Compact Table Top Easel
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Canvases
I’m a fan of buying canvases in bulk because you can save money and also, not limited to doing one art piece because you are out of supplies. Sometimes I’m feeling really inspired and can create up to 3 or 4 pieces in a day. My favorite bargain canvases at the moment are Artist’s Loft 12 x12 in. 7 piece canvas pack.
My Pick! Artist Loft Super Value Canvas Pack
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Acrylic Paint
Next up, acrylic paint. Because I tend to get a little messy when I’m creating new work and value my furniture, I like a water based acrylic paint. I like two types of paints at the moment, the individual primary color BASIC tubes of paint by Liquitex or the more diverse color palette of in between colors offered by Simply. I find the in between colors (i.e.: tans, browns, teals) helpful when trying to achieve tones for skin or eyes.
My Pick! Liquitex BASICS Acrylic Paint Starter Box Set
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Brushes
My brushes are basic for now. I know there are hundreds of options from fan brushes to fine point brushes based on whatever you are trying to achieve. Honestly, like with anything, the best quality brushes and tools can last a long time with good care, but cost a lot of money.
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However, this girl (me) is on a budget so I try to get the most bang for my buck. I currently use Arts loft bundle brush pack. The last time I ordered I happened to catch a two for one sale at my local craft store so “cha ching!” Saving money! However, you can order from home at your convenience and have them delivered to your door.
My Pick! Artists Loft All Purpose Brush Set
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Palette tray
When it comes to painting you’ll often times need to find the right shade and mix colors. You need a palette tray to do so. I have a smaller basic tray I like to use. It’s less wasteful than using a paper plate. However, if your budget is slim pickings, by all means, improvise with a paper plate until you can afford a palette tray.
Amazon Pick! Artist’s Loft Fundamentals Palette and Knives set
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Mason jar
When it comes to soaking your brushes and cleaning between colors I have a glass mason jar I use just for painting. No ma’am I’m not messing up my household glassware! If you want to save extra cash, you can just repurpose an old glass jar too!
Amazon Pick! Pint Jar, Regular mouth, set of 2
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Paper towels
You need a place to wipe off any excess paint or clean brushes, so paper towels are perfect for this. I’m a fan of Bounty because of the thickness however you can use whatever suits you best. After painting and cleaning your equipment, it’s best to dry everything as best you can and let your brushes air dry flat on a hard surface to maintain integrity of the shape/form of the brush. If you don’t care to waste paper towels you can always improvise with an old stained hand towel or washcloth.
My pick! Bounty Paper Towels
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Furniture Covers
Last but not least, with all this creating and playing with paint you have to keep your surrounding areas clean and splatter free. I tend to use an old bed sheet on my seating area however, I found out the hard way that’s just not enough coverage! So, I use old blankets too. Here is an easier option you may find helpful if you don’t care to use your own bed sheets!
Amazon Pick! TopSoon Plastic Furniture Covers/Paint drop cloth
Well that’s my list of 10 must have budget friendly essentials for painting! I hope you enjoyed learning a little bit more of how I prep to create my art pieces. You can view my growing portfolio of work by visiting my RedBubble shop. I’ll have to do a new video blog post soon so you can see me in action. Would you like that?
Let me know in the comments below. Do you like to paint? Are you an artsy person or are you more of a spectator? Share your thoughts below and don’t forget to share this post with a friend!