My Favourite Art Materials

When I first started my art journey, I was always searching for the best art materials I could find within my budget. I know how overwhelming it can feel when you want to make thoughtful choices and avoid spending money on supplies that don’t work well or go unused.

That said, I truly believe you don’t need expensive materials to begin creating. A simple pencil and paper are more than enough to get started. Even the best art supplies won’t improve your skills on their own — regular drawing, painting, and experimentation are what really help you grow as an artist.

Below you’ll find a selection of the materials I currently use and genuinely enjoy in my own art practice:

Sketchbooks

Art Creation by Royal Talens (for mixed media and general sketching)
Moleskine Watercolour Album (for watercolours)
Strathmore – Toned Tan 400 Series (for drawing)

Watercolour

Paper

Fabriano Watercolour 300gsm 140lb NOT sheets (archival cellulose paper)
Fabriano Artistico 100% cotton 300gsm 140lb NOT sheets

Paints

Jackson’s Artist Watercolour (tubes made by Sennelier)
Winsor & Newton Professional Watercolour (tubes)
Schminke Horadam Watercolour (half pans)
Roman Szmal Aquarius Watercolours (12 half pans in a metal box)
Winsor & Newton Cotman Sketchers Pocket Box (12 half pans)

Brushes

Escoda Barcelona David Taylor set, sizes: 8, 12 and 18
Jackson’s Art Raven size 2
Hake 2” brush by ProArte

Palletes

Plastic leak-proof by Mijello
Meeden metal palettes
Portable Painter Micro (ultra-light but only 6 wells)

Oils

Paints and mediums

Artist Cobra water-soluble oil by Royal Talens
Cobra quick drying Medium 093
Cobra painting paste 087

Brushses

Rosemary & Co ivory range brushes (flats, filberts, round and rigger)
Unbranded set of palette knives