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Best Mixed Media & Painting Supplies Every Artist Needs
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items My Go-To Art Supplies. These are the exact art supplies I use in my own paintings, classes, and creative practice. With over 20 years of experience as an artist, I’ve tested a wide range of materials, and these are the ones I consistently come back t...
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Best Mixed media supplies
Best Mixed media supplies
I have curated a list of supplies and stores that have helped me throughout my creative journey over the last 20+ years. I hope you find this list helpful and that you might find something new that you will love to use in your journey as well.
This is one of my go-to papers when I’m experimenting or creating mixed media pieces. It’s thick enough to handle paint without falling apart, but still affordable so you don’t feel like you’re wasting materials while learning. I especially love this...
XL® watercolor | Canson
IUILE watercolors are such a fun choice when you want beautiful, vibrant color with a more playful feel. I love them for experimenting, layering, and adding eye-catching washes to sketchbook pages and mixed media pieces. They’re especially nice when ...
IUILE® Official Site - Handmade Metallic Watercolor Paints
Tim Holtz stencils are one of my favorite tools for adding instant depth and interest to a piece. The designs are unique, layered, and work beautifully for mixed media, collage, and abstract backgrounds.
I love using these with texture paste, paint, ...
Tim Holtz Layering Stencils - Stampers Anonymous
Blick Art Materials is one of my go-to places for quality art supplies. They carry everything from professional paints, brushes, canvases, and watercolor paper to sketchbooks, markers, mixed media supplies, and studio essentials. I love that they hav...
Art Supplies | BLICK Art Materials
I’ve used The Masters Brush Cleaner and Preserver for keeping my brushes in good shape, and it’s one of those supplies I think every artist should have. It helps get stubborn paint out while conditioning the bristles so brushes stay softer and last l...
“The Masters”® Brush Cleaner - General Pencil
POSCA paint markers are a must-have in my art supplies! I use them for bold details, highlights, outlines, and mixed media work. They’re super opaque, easy to use, and work on tons of different surfaces. Definitely one of those supplies I reach for a...
High-Quality All Surface Paint Markers | POSCA USA
Sakura Gelly Roll Moonlight gel pens are perfect for adding bright, bold details to artwork. I love using them for highlights, doodles, lettering, and mixed media because the colors really pop, especially on darker paper. They write smoothly, have gr...
Gelly Roll Moonlight - Sakura of America
Golden Artist Acrylics are one of my favorite choices when I want rich color and professional-quality paint. The pigmentation is beautiful, they blend really well, and a little paint goes a long way. I especially love them for layering, mixed media, ...
Acrylic Sets - Golden Artist Colors
The Scholar Tri-Tip Eraser is such a handy little tool to keep in your art supplies. I love the three-point shape because it makes it easy to erase tiny details, clean up edges, and get into small areas without taking away too much. It’s especially u...
Prismacolor Scholar Latex-Free Eraser
Princeton brushes are some of my favorite brushes to keep in my art supplies. They have a great feel, hold their shape well, and come in so many styles for watercolor, acrylic, and mixed media. I especially like them when I want good control without ...
Princeton Brush
Mod Podge is one of my go-to supplies for mixed media, collage, and craft projects. I use it for gluing, sealing, and adding a protective finish, and I love how versatile it is. It’s especially handy for paper, wood, canvas, and decorative projects w...
Mod Podge® Decoupage Formulas & Tools - Plaid Online
Prismacolor colored pencils are one of my favorite choices for rich, smooth color. They blend beautifully, layer well, and are great for everything from soft shading to bold details. I especially love them for drawing, mixed media, and adding depth w...
Explore Colored Pencils | PRISMACOLOR
Caran d’Ache Neocolor II crayons are one of my favorite mixed media supplies. They’re incredibly creamy and vibrant, and because they’re water-soluble, you can use them dry like a crayon or activate them with water for a beautiful painted effect. I l...
Neocolor® II Watersoluble Wax Pastels | Caran d'Ache | Buy online
Arteza watercolor brush pens are such an easy and fun way to get a watercolor look without pulling out a full paint setup. I love them for sketchbooks, lettering, florals, and mixed media because the brush tips make it easy to create both fine detail...
Brush Pens, Marker Sets - Arteza.com
Castle Arts oil paints are a great option if you want to experiment with oils without spending a fortune. The colors are rich, blend nicely, and give you plenty of working time for soft transitions and layered details. I especially like them for lear...
Castle Arts Oil Paint Sets | Oil Based Painting Supplies
These are the absolute best archival pens that have fine tips and various sizes. They do not bleed through they dry very quickly and you can paint over them with watercolor and acrylic. You can even layer them over top of dried paint for fine details...
Sakura Pigma Micron Pens and Sets
Instant glow ✨ This is my go-to for making a piece feel elevated and finished. I love using it in collage to add light, texture, and that little bit of magic every artwork needs.
Gold Leaf - Amazon.com
These are perfect for adding story and depth to your artwork. I reach for pieces like this when I want my paintings to feel more expressive and layered. If you ever feel stuck or don’t know what to paint—start here. Collage takes the pressure off and...
Ephemera Pack - Amazon.com
I use this in every single collage piece. It works as both a glue and a sealer, dries clear, and doesn’t leave that sticky finish some glues do. If you’re serious about mixed media, this is non-negotiable—it’s what holds everything together and gives...
GOLDEN Matte Medium, 8 fl. oz. Jar
These are one of my favorite tools when I want clean details without the stress of a brush. The color is super vibrant and opaque, so you don’t have to keep layering to get it to show up. I love using these for highlights, line work, and adding those...
JusArt Acrylic Paint Markers Brush Tip 30 Colors
This is one of those simple tools that makes a huge difference. A continuous spray bottle gives you a fine, even mist instead of harsh splatters, which is perfect for watercolor and mixed media.
I love using this to soften edges, blend colors, and cr...
Continuous Spray Bottle - Amazon.com
If you want texture without overthinking it, these are perfect. They help you create movement and depth instantly.
I use them for spreading paint, building layers, and breaking out of perfection mode.
Palette Knives - Artists Painting Supplies
Gesso is a must-have if you’re working with mixed media. It preps your surface so paint and other materials stick better and show up more vibrant.
I use it to create a base layer, cover mistakes, or add texture. It’s one of those behind-the-scenes es...
Gesso - Amazon.com
If you want dimension and texture, this is the tool. It lets you build raised surfaces, add patterns, and create depth in your work.
I love using this with stencils or palette knives to give my pieces that extra visual interest.
Modeling Paste - Amazon.com
Round sponges are perfect for creating soft textures, blended backgrounds, and unique patterns you can’t get with a brush. They give your work a more organic, layered look with very little effort.
I love using these for dabbing paint, building up co...
Round Sponge - Amazon.com
The STABILO All Pencil is one of my favorite mixed media tools because it writes on almost anything; paint, paper, collage, glass, and textured surfaces. What makes it especially fun is that it’s water-soluble, so you can blend the marks with water f...
Colored and graphite pencil STABILO All - black
Tim Holtz Glass Media Mat is one of those supplies that completely upgrades your creative workspace. It gives you a smooth, durable surface that’s perfect for painting, collage, ink blending, and mixed media techniques. I love that it’s easy to clean...
Tim Holtz Glass Media Mats - Tonic Studios
Silicone paint shapers are such a fun tool for creating texture, blending paint, and making expressive marks that brushes just can’t achieve. They glide smoothly through paint, texture paste, and gel mediums without soaking up product. I love using t...
Silicone brushes, color shapers - Paintersisters-Neuss
MEEDEN watercolor palettes are perfect for keeping your paints organized while giving you plenty of room to mix colors freely. A good palette makes such a difference when working with watercolor, especially if you love creating custom shades and smoo...
Palette For Painting-MEEDEN Art
StencilGirl Products stencils are amazing for adding layered texture, pattern, and visual interest to your artwork. The designs feel artistic and unique, making them perfect for mixed media, collage, art journaling, and abstract backgrounds. I love u...
StencilGirl Products: Shop for Unique Artist-Designed Stencils
A heat tool is an absolute lifesaver for mixed media and layered artwork. It speeds up drying time between paint, collage, ink, and texture layers so you can keep creating without constantly stopping to wait. I use mine all the time when building bac...
Craft Heat Tool - Amazon.com
A corner rounder is one of those small tools that makes your finished pieces look instantly more polished and professional. It cleanly rounds sharp paper corners, giving artwork, tags, journals, and prints a softer, finished appearance. I love using ...
Corner Punch - Amazon.com
A paper cutter is one of the most useful tools for any artist working with collage, prints, journals, or mixed media. It gives you clean, straight cuts quickly and makes prepping materials so much easier. I use mine constantly for trimming watercolor...
Paper Cutter - Amazon.com
Workable fixative is a must-have if you use charcoal, graphite, pastel, or pencil in your artwork. It helps protect your layers from smudging while still allowing you to continue working on top of them. I love using this between layers in mixed media...
Fixierspray KRYLON WORKABLE FIXATIF 325 ml
Daniel Smith watercolor sticks are such a fun and versatile medium for expressive painting. They give you the richness of watercolor paint in a solid stick form, which makes them perfect for sketching, layering, mark-making, and loose abstract work. ...
DANIEL SMITH Watercolor Sticks
Holbein granulating watercolors create some of the most beautiful texture and movement in watercolor painting. As the paint dries, the pigments naturally separate and settle into the paper, creating soft, organic effects that are impossible to fully ...
Holbein Artists' Granulating Watercolor and Luminous Colors Sets
QoR granulating half pan watercolors are perfect if you love expressive watercolor with beautiful texture and movement. The pigments separate naturally as they dry, creating stunning organic effects that add instant depth to your work. I love the hal...
QoR Granulators Half Pan Set - Golden Artist Colors
Transon watercolor brushes are such a great option for artists who want soft, smooth brush control without spending a fortune. The brushes hold water beautifully and create fluid, even strokes that work really well for watercolor and mixed media. I l...
BRUSHES – Transon
Heavy gloss gel is amazing for adding texture, dimension, and a glossy finish to mixed media artwork. It’s thicker than regular gel medium, which makes it perfect for creating raised effects, collage layers, and bold texture. I love using this with p...
Golden Artist Colors Heavy Gel Gloss 8oz
Golden Artist Colors Glass Bead Gel adds the most beautiful shimmering texture to mixed media and abstract artwork. It contains tiny reflective glass beads that catch the light and create a dimensional, almost magical effect. I love using this on bac...
Golden Glass Bead Gel | Künstlerbedarf von boesner
Masterson Stay-Wet Palettes are a game changer for acrylic painters. They keep your paints moist and workable much longer, which means less wasted paint and smoother blending while you work. I love using this during longer painting sessions because i...
Masterson Sta-Wet Airtight Palettes
A wide mouth mason jar is one of my favorite simple studio essentials. It’s sturdy, easy to clean, and perfect for holding paint water while you work. I love the wider opening because it makes rinsing brushes easier and helps prevent spills during lo...
Canning Jars | Ball® Mason Jars
A utensil jar is such a simple but helpful way to keep your brushes and tools organized while you work. Having everything upright and easy to reach makes the creative process feel so much smoother and less cluttered. I love using these for storing pa...
Utensil Jar- Petals in Bloom - Rowe Pottery
MEEDEN watercolors are a great option if you want beautiful color without spending a ton. They’re easy to work with, blend nicely, and are perfect for sketchbooks, practice pieces, and everyday painting. I especially like them for experimenting with ...
MEEDEN: Watercolor Paint
FolkArt Treasure Gold paint is one of my favorite ways to add a rich metallic finish to a project. It has beautiful shine, great coverage, and works especially well for mixed media, wood, decor, and adding little gold accents to artwork. A small amou...
FolkArt Gold Assorted Easy DIY Crafts
Derwent Inktense watercolor pencils are amazing for adding bold, vibrant color with the control of a pencil. I love that you can use them dry for detailed work or activate them with water for a rich, ink-like effect. They’re especially great for mixe...
Derwent Inktense Pencils, 4mm Core