Art Materials | love and recommend
I have clear memories when, as a child I used to spend hours and hours creating and re-creating, using all sorts of materials to give shape to my creative expression. Fabric, string, clay, pencils, crayons... my love for mark making started very early.
When I used to visit my dad at work, my very, very favourite moment was when he opened up his stationery drawer and let me play with paperclips and markers, envelopes and highlighters. Ah! It was pure bliss to me :)
That love for stationery has never left me. And over time there has been the addition of art materials. Now I can't live without either. Yes - I try not to collect more than I can use, and seriously limit myself these days. But there are certain art materials EVERYONE needs to play with.
I'll share them below.
In the name of full transparency, please be aware that this page contains affiliate links, and any purchases made through such links will result in a small commission for me (no extra cost for you).
Absolute Favourites
These Neocolor II Pastels have exceptional covering power and can be used dry or wet, on a wide variety of materials.
Love these ❤︎
High quality pigments of light-fastness and brilliance and the pigments dissolve completely when brushed with water.
Traditional Japanese watercolour, utilising colours that are vivid and opaque.
Paint is smooth, not granulated, and dries with a slightly shiny finish.
Also comes in metallics, pearls and graphite.
Everyone who uses these seems to fall in love with them.
A range of stunning watercolours that are made to high quality standards. These are perfect to travel with.
These Mungyo Soft Pastel Squares are vivid and brilliant, and are made from great materials. They are professional, artist grade soft pastels, made from the finest pigments & kaolin clay and have a high degree of light fastness. Box of 48 colours.
This set of Mungyo Gallery Artists' Oil Pastels are of professional quality, with outstanding smooth touch and consistent and intense colours. Box of 36 colours.
Painting and layering over other mediums is easy on most surfaces with these POSCA paint pens.
Water-based pigments ink, strong UV resistance and quick drying.
Everyone knows Sharpies! Permanent ink markers, can make marks on most surfaces, i.e. paper, plastic, metal and more.
You can use these to draw shapes and then layer watercolour over the top. The lines won't blur.
Gelly Roll Set of 3 with brilliant white tone, water-based pigments. Consistent ink flow, lightfast, and does not fade.
These artists pens contain pigmented India ink that is archival, acid free, smudge-proof and waterproof when dry.
Whether you are right- or left-handed, the spiral provides better drawing & writing experience, easily flip the pages over. Paper 200gsm.
Two distinctive surfaces - textured on one side, smooth on the other, suited for all dry techniques such as charcoal, pencil and pastel. 90gsm unbleached Kraft paper.
Cool sketch book, with expandable inner pocket in the back. Moleskine ivory paper 120gsm.
Watercolour Notebook ❤︎ Portable comfort zone: be creative on the move, wherever you go. Elastic closure - Moleskine ivory paper 200gsm.
A hardcover book chockablock full with stickers! My inner child is LOVING this!! Featuring beautiful, recognisable, wacky, odd, and inspiring quote stickers.
From designer John Derian, a collection of over 500 stickers to add a touch of beauty to any journal with images of blooming flowers, various critters and forest animals.
More than 600 gorgeous high quality stickers. There's crystals, candles, and flowers as well as animals, healing herbs, and other natural elements.
