A little art, a little studio life, and a few everyday finds. I’m sharing a few creative finds here each week, right alongside my newsletter. Take a peek, find what fits, and save a little time for making art.
Explore this week’s picksAffiliate disclosure: This page contains paid affiliate links to Amazon, Blick Art Materials, and Jackson’s Art Supplies. I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
A few favorites from my pastel box and painting palette, plus a little gouache inspiration. Choose the supplies that fit the art you want to make.
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My go-to lately
This has become my go-to pastel paper lately! The soft, velvety surface grabs onto pastel beautifully, so colors go down rich and you can keep layering. The toned sheets give you a head start on value and mood, too. If you're already placing a Blick order, toss a few of these pads in your cart. You'll be glad to have them on hand!
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Two of my favorite colors
Pastel pencils are my secret weapon for details like whiskers, eye highlights and crisp edges. These Cretacolor pencils sharpen to a fine point and layer beautifully over soft pastel. Grab my two go-tos: Glacier Blue for cool highlights and airy skies, and Mars Violet Dark for rich, warm darks and shadows. Yes, there's purple in there!
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Ready for an upgrade?
Unison is one of my all-time favorite pastel brands! They're handmade in small batches in England, and the color is buttery, rich and gorgeous. They glide onto the paper, layer like a dream and make every stroke feel special. Start with a few single sticks in colors you love, and watch out, because they're addictive!
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The box I use myself
This is the pastel box I use myself! It's a sturdy wooden case that fits up to 112 Jackson's or Unison handmade pastels, so once you start collecting those Unisons, they'll have a beautiful home. Keeping my colors organized and protected means I spend less time hunting and more time painting.
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The dark I use instead of black
This is the dark I reach for instead of black! Payne's Gray with a violet lean gives you deep, moody darks that still feel alive, never flat or dead. Thin it out and you get the softest purple-grey, perfect for shadows, atmosphere and stormy skies. Williamsburg oils are handmade in small batches, and you can feel the quality in every stroke. And when in doubt, add purple!
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A permanent spot on my palette
King's Blue is one of my all-time favorite colors, and it's earned a permanent spot on my palette! It's a soft, luminous blue that's perfect for skies, sea spray and cool highlights. Michael Harding paints are packed with pigment, so a little goes a long way and the color stays clean and bright.
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Transparent or opaque
Gouache is one of my favorite mediums for versatility! Thin it down and it glows transparently like watercolor, or build it up for bold, opaque coverage like acrylic. Best of all, it never really goes to waste. Even if it dries on your palette, a little water brings it right back to life. This ShinHan set is a lovely place to start: rich, creamy color in a great beginner-friendly range.
Shop at Blick *Paid affiliate link. I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.The creative finds I shared in the Weekly Squiggle, all together for another peek.
*These are paid affiliate links. I may earn commissions, including additional commissions funded by the featured brands, at no extra cost to you.
Nice soft bristles and a lovely range of shapes give you plenty of options! I tend to reach for a round brush, and my favorite sable brush is definitely a splurge, so I’m always looking for affordable options for the rest of my toolkit. I especially love the little detail liner. A versatile, all-in-one set for watercolor and gouache, with synthetic brushes you can also explore with acrylics or oils. Keep separate brushes for oils and water-based paints.
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A little painting adventure, right in your purse! When I’m plein air painting on my retreats in Italy, I bring a travel brush set that compacts down, and that small size is key. A set like this is lovely for painting on the go, day trips, and making room for art wherever inspiration finds you.
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For those of us who need the whole kitchen sink when we go to art class! I’ve used a couple of different bags like this over the years. I try to pack lighter now, but I know plenty of my students bring ALL the things. This bag rolls on a dolly and lifts off when you want to carry it, with lots of compartments to keep your supplies organized. Take it to class or carry it into your home studio. Your studio on the go, with no need to unpack everything!
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I have a set of these too! There’s something so nice about making a little work of art you can actually send to someone. With the holidays coming, paint a personal card or a tiny gift that the recipient can even frame. A little piece of your creativity, delivered with love.
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The case is so handy for keeping everything together, and I love having a nice range of shapes. I’ve used some of these brushes with acrylics and oils, and the fluffier ones with watercolor. Those fluffier brushes can also be wonderful for softening edges in acrylic or oil paintings. Lots of versatility in one little kit! Keep separate brushes for oils and water-based paints.
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My students could have used acrylic paint markers for a few little details this past week! They’re fun for adding accents to acrylic paintings or over dry watercolor. My kids and I also enjoy using acrylic markers to paint rocks we find on our walks. A playful way to add those finishing touches or just have a little creative fun.
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Isn’t this little set adorable? A little creativity in your pocket! With the holidays coming, it would make such a sweet gift for someone who wants to make more room for art. Think plein air retreats, day trips, or a little kit you take along in the car. Just add your own paint and see where the day takes you.
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Nail art brushes for fine art? Absolutely! I often search for nail art brushes because tiny liners and detail brushes can cost less when they aren’t labeled ‘fine art.’ These are sparkly and fun, too! The longer liners are lovely for whiskers, fur, grasses, and those long telephone wires in a painting. Sometimes the best little art tool is hiding in another aisle.
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Start small. Make a little space. See where it takes you.The Amazon links on this page are affiliate links. If you click one and keep shopping, I may earn a small commission on other qualifying items you add to your cart too, not just the item I shared. A lawnmower, a red light face mask… your cart can have its own creative journey!
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