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The Artist’s Retreat: A Collection for Creative Souls
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items I’m not a professional artist, but creativity has always been a part of who I am. Painting, sketching, and experimenting with colors isn’t just something I do—it’s how I unwind, express myself, and find beauty in the little moments. Art, to me, is le...
This list is for anyone who feels the same. You don’t have to be a professional to love creating. Maybe art is your quiet escape, your weekend ritual, or simply a way to bring more beauty into your daily life. Whether you're setting up a cozy corne...
Let’s make creativity a ritual. Let’s fill our spaces with things that inspire us to pick up a brush, a pen, or a tablet and just create, without pressure—just for the love of it. 🤎
This list is for anyone who feels the same. You don’t have to be a professional to love creating. Maybe art is your quiet escape, your weekend ritual, or simply a way to bring more beauty into your daily life. Whether you're setting up a cozy corne...
Let’s make creativity a ritual. Let’s fill our spaces with things that inspire us to pick up a brush, a pen, or a tablet and just create, without pressure—just for the love of it. 🤎
Sections
8
Essential Art Supplies
Paints & Mediums
Sketch & Drawing Essentials
Calligraphy & Lettering
Sculpture & Clay Art
Printmaking & Mixed Media
Essential Art Supplies
The backbone of any creative process—high-quality pencils, brushes, erasers, and sketchpads. Whether you're just starting out or refining your skills, these are the tools that will always be in your kit.
A high-quality set of fineliners and brush pens with archival ink, perfect for both sketching and inking.
tagged "Pitt Artist Pens" – Faber-Castell USA
These are the colored pencils for artists who love soft, blendable pigments. The creamy texture makes shading and layering effortless, and the colors stay vibrant on paper. If you’re looking for professional-quality pencils without the insane price t...
Explore Colored Pencils | PRISMACOLOR
A good graphite pencil can make all the difference in a drawing, and Staedtler’s Lumograph line is my go-to. Whether I’m sketching rough ideas or working on detailed shading, the smooth application and variety of lead grades make these a staple.
Mars® Lumograph® 100 - Drawing pencil - Staedtler
These are the holy grail of colored pencils if you care about lightfastness. The pigments are so rich and vibrant, and they blend like a dream. If you’re working on a piece you want to last for years without fading, this set is worth the investment.
Luminance 6901® Permanent Colored Pencils | Caran d'Ache
If you experiment with different mediums, this paper pad is a lifesaver. It’s thick enough to handle everything from ink to acrylics without warping, and it’s affordable enough that you won’t feel guilty filling up page after page.
XL® Mixed Media - Canson
A good eraser is just as important as a good pencil. The Tombow Mono is my go-to for precision erasing, while the kneaded eraser is perfect for lifting graphite without damaging the paper. If you’ve ever struggled with smudging or paper tearing, thes...
Tombow MONO Zero Eraser, Round 2.3mm
If you love bold, expressive lines, this brush pen is everything. The ink flows smoothly, the tip holds its shape beautifully, and it’s refillable! Perfect for dynamic sketching, calligraphy, and even adding depth to illustrations.
Pocket Brush Pen with 2 Black Refills – Pentel of America, Ltd.
I hesitated before investing in this brush, but now I get why artists swear by it. The bristles hold water perfectly, the tip is ultra-precise, and it just feels luxurious to use. If you’re into watercolor or fine detailing, this brush will take your...
Series 7 Finest Kolinsky Sable Brushes - Winsor & Newton
For artists who take their brushwork seriously, this Kolinsky sable brush set is worth every penny. The bristles hold pigment beautifully, making smooth, controlled strokes effortless. Whether you work with watercolor, gouache, or even fine oil detai...
Raphael Kolinsky Red Sable Brushes 8404 - Jackson's Art
This high-end travel brush is perfect for artists who sketch and paint on the go. The fine tip allows for precision and expressive brushwork, and the protective case makes it a lifesaver for plein air painting.
Reserva Archives - Escoda
Unlike traditional plastic or wooden palettes, this tempered glass palette is sleek, durable, and easy to clean. Its neutral gray background helps artists mix colors with better accuracy, making it a must-have for any serious painter.
POSH Glass Palettes - New Wave Art
For acrylic and gouache artists, this sta-wet palette prevents paint from drying out, keeping colors fresh for days. It’s especially useful for layering and blending, as you won’t waste as much paint between sessions.
Masterson Sta-Wet® Premier Palette
A good set of painting knives opens up new textural possibilities. Whether you love bold impasto strokes or precise detailing, these knives are durable and comfortable to use.
Painting and Palette Knives | BLICK Art Materials
If you work on detailed oil or acrylic paintings, a mahl stick is an underrated tool. It allows you to rest your hand without smudging wet paint, making it essential for fine details and hyper-realistic work.
Mahl Stick
If you’re looking for high-quality detail brushes, Da Vinci’s Maestro line is a favorite among professionals. The bristles are springy, durable, and hold their shape, making them perfect for fine lines and intricate work.
da Vinci Maestro Kolinsky Series 10 Sharp Round
For disposable palette users, this wet palette paper is a game-changer. It keeps paint fresh longer and provides a smooth mixing surface, making color blending seamless.
Masterson Sta-Wet Acrylic Paper Refill Packs
Paints & Mediums
Acrylics, oils, watercolors, gouache, and inks—every medium has its magic. This section includes vibrant colors and textures to bring your ideas to life.
If you want watercolors with unmatched transparency and depth, Winsor & Newton’s professional range is legendary. The pigments are rich, lightfast, and blend beautifully, making them a staple for watercolorists at every level.
Watercolour Sets - Winsor & Newton
For those who crave luxury-quality watercolors, Schmincke Horadam is the gold standard. The colors rewet beautifully and have incredible layering potential, making them perfect for delicate gradients and luminous washes.
HORADAM® Aquarell: www.schmincke.de
Golden’s Heavy Body Acrylics are buttery, smooth, and packed with pigment. Whether you're painting on canvas, wood, or even murals, these acrylics have a creamy consistency and excellent lightfastness, ensuring bold, lasting colors.
Heavy Body Essentials Set - Golden Artist Colors
For artists who love fluid, blendable acrylics, Liquitex’s Soft Body line has a silky consistency that’s perfect for both detailed work and large washes. The muted collection offers sophisticated, earthy tones for a modern color palette.
Soft Body Acrylic - Liquitex
If you’re serious about oil painting, Old Holland’s ultra-premium pigments offer unparalleled depth and opacity. Each tube is handcrafted with historical recipes, making these oils a favorite among museum-level painters.
Classic Oil Colours - Old Holland
For artists new to oils, Gamblin offers high-quality, non-toxic formulations that are rich in pigment but easy to work with. The starter set includes a balanced range of colors perfect for landscapes, portraits, and everything in between.
Gamblin Artist Oil Colors Intro Set, 37 ml
Not sure which watercolors to invest in? Daniel Smith’s dot card lets you test over 200 shades, including rare mineral-based pigments like Amethyst and Hematite. It’s an artist’s dream for discovering unique, granulating effects.
DANIEL SMITH Watercolor Dot Cards
For watercolorists who love crisp highlights, Pebeo’s masking fluid lets you preserve white areas without worrying about losing them in the painting process. It’s easy to apply and remove without damaging the paper.
Pebeo Drawing Gum | BLICK Art Materials
Acrylic painters can completely transform their paint with these versatile mediums. Use Gloss Medium to create rich, shiny layers, or Matte Medium for a subtle, velvety finish.
Professional Matte Medium - Liquitex
For oil painters who want a safer alternative to traditional solvents, Gamsol is a low-toxicity, professional-grade thinner that’s perfect for cleaning brushes and creating delicate washes.
Gamsol Odorless Mineral Spirits - - Gamblin Artists Colors
Sketch & Drawing Essentials
Before every masterpiece, there’s a sketch — a moment where an idea takes its first breath. Whether you’re refining details, brainstorming compositions, or creating fully rendered drawings, having the right tools makes all the difference. These are t...
There’s something timeless about opening a Moleskine sketchbook. The thick, smooth pages handle everything from graphite and ink to light watercolor washes. It’s perfect for on-the-go sketches, journaling, and capturing inspiration the moment it stri...
Sketchbook Art Collection Black | Moleskine
For daily sketching and experimenting, Strathmore’s 400 Series is my go-to. The paper has just enough tooth to grab onto graphite and charcoal, yet it’s smooth enough for precise line work. It’s affordable, reliable, and built to handle even heavy ...
Strathmore 400 Series Sketch Pad, 9x12, 100s
If you love traditional drawing, Faber-Castell’s 9000 graphite pencils are a dream. They sharpen beautifully, lay down rich, smooth tones, and don’t smudge too easily. The set includes a range from soft (6B) to hard (4H), so you have everything neede...
Castell 9000 Graphite Pencils Art Set Tin of 12
I can’t count how many times this tiny, precise eraser has saved a drawing. It’s perfect for erasing the smallest highlights or cleaning up fine details. Unlike bulky erasers, this one lets you control exactly what you remove, making it an absolute m...
MONO Zero Eraser - Silver Round - Tombow
If you’re after deep, velvety blacks, these carbon-based pencils go darker and richer than standard graphite. They’re incredible for shading, high-contrast sketching, and even mixed-media work.
Mars® Lumograph® black 100B - Drawing pencil - Staedtler
For anyone who loves line work, cross-hatching, or inking sketches, Micron pens are a staple. They lay down ultra-fine, archival-quality ink that doesn’t bleed or fade over time. I use them for everything—from sketching over pencil to finishing a dra...
SAKURA Pigma Micron Fineliner Pens - 6 Pack
These are my secret weapon for sketching. Unlike regular colored pencils, Col-Erase pencils can be erased, making them perfect for underdrawings, animation, or soft color blocking before inking.
Premier® Col-Erase® Colored Pencil Sets - Prismacolor
If you want a high-end, refillable inking pen, Copics never disappoint. The ink is waterproof and smudge-proof, meaning you can layer watercolor or markers over them without any bleeding. They also feel amazing in your hand—solid and smooth.
Sketching Pen from Copic, Copic Multiliner SP
Sometimes, nothing compares to the drama of charcoal. These pencils give you bold, expressive strokes that blend beautifully. They’re great for life drawing, quick gestural sketches, or deep shadows in mixed-media work.
General's® Charcoal & Charcoal White
These are water-soluble colored pencils that turn into vibrant, ink-like washes when wet. They’re perfect for sketchers who want the control of a pencil but the fluidity of watercolor. Once dry, they’re permanent, so you can layer on top without reac...
Derwent Inktense Pencils, 4mm Core
Calligraphy & Lettering
For those who love the art of beautiful writing. Brush pens, dip ink sets, metallic markers, and high-quality paper to refine your lettering skills.
If you want to explore traditional calligraphy, this set is a game-changer. The sharp edges, beautiful ink flow, and ability to mix colors make it perfect for both beginners and experienced calligraphers.
Pilot Parallel Pen - John Neal Books
These versatile brush pens are perfect for modern lettering, blending, and even sketching. The soft brush tip gives a beautiful flow, while the fine tip on the other end allows for precise details.
Dual Brush Pen Art Markers | 108 Colors - Tombow
For a more controlled brush lettering experience, this pen is my absolute favorite. The ink glides smoothly, and the flexible tip lets you create both delicate and bold strokes with ease.
Pentel Fude Touch Sign Pen, Black Brush
A rich, deep black ink that flows effortlessly on the page. It’s ideal for dip pens and calligraphy nibs, offering long-lasting, smudge-resistant lines.
Eternal Ink | higgins
A must-have for practicing! The dot-grid format helps with letter spacing and alignment, and the smooth paper prevents ink from bleeding, making it ideal for brush pens, dip pens, and fountain pens.
dotPad by Rhodia | Rhodia Notebooks, Pads & Notepads
Sculpture & Clay Art
Art isn't just on paper—explore hand-sculpting, pottery, and clay modeling with premium air-dry clays, carving tools, and pottery wheels.
For artists who enjoy precision and intricate details, Sculpey Premo is one of the best polymer clays out there. It blends well, has rich colors, and bakes into a durable, professional-quality finish in a standard home oven. Whether you’re making jew...
Sculpey Premo - Polymer Clay
If you love working with clay but don’t have access to a kiln, Amaco Air Dry Clay is a fantastic option. It’s smooth, easy to shape, and gives you plenty of time to refine details. Once dry, it can be sanded, painted, or sealed, making it perfect for...
Air Dry Clay White - AMERICAN ART CLAY CO INC
The right tools make all the difference when working with clay. Kemper’s carving tool set is a staple in the sculpting world—each tool serves a specific purpose, allowing for precise shaping, carving, and texturing. Once you start using them, you won...
Kemper - Brands - Pottery Tools
For beautifully smooth surfaces and controlled shaping, Mudtools Flexible Rib Set is a must-have. These rubber ribs come in different firmness levels, helping you refine curves, compress edges, and achieve a polished finish. Whether you work with pot...
Polymer Ribs - Mudtools
If you want to try your hand at pottery, the Speedball Pottery Wheel is one of the best beginner-friendly options. It has a strong motor, smooth rotation, and gives you full control while shaping clay. Working on a pottery wheel is a meditative exper...
Speedball Pottery Wheels Archives
For artists who love intricate detailing, Xiem Precision Carving Tools are a must. These high-quality tools are designed for deep carving, texturing, and adding fine details to your ceramic or polymer clay creations. They feel great in the hand and g...
Modeling & Carving Set (Double-Ended) - Xiem Tools
Printmaking & Mixed Media
From linocut kits to collage materials, this section brings together tools for those who love experimenting beyond traditional methods.
If you’re new to printmaking, the Speedball Block Printing Kit is the perfect place to start. It includes high-quality linoleum blocks, carving tools, a brayer, and ink—everything you need to create stunning relief prints. There’s something so satisf...
Block Printing Kits - Speedball Art
For a more experimental approach to printmaking, Gelli Plates are an absolute game-changer. They allow you to create layered, textured monoprints without needing a press. Just roll on some acrylic paint, press stencils or textures into it, and transf...
Gelli® Printing Plates - Gelli Arts
For artists looking for high-quality printmaking ink, Akua Intaglio Inks are a favorite. They’re richly pigmented, easy to clean with water, and stay open longer than traditional oil-based inks. Whether you’re working with linocuts, etching, or monop...
Intaglio, Ink, Akua-Kolor, Non-Toxic, Water, Based, Etching ...
The right paper is just as important as the ink. Strathmore 400 Series Printmaking Paper is acid-free, thick, and absorbs ink beautifully without warping. It works well for everything from relief prints to screen printing and mixed media collages.
Printmaking - Strathmore Artist Papers
If you want to experiment with screen printing, the Speedball Screen Printing Frame is a great starting point. Paired with a Speedball Squeegee, it lets you transfer designs onto fabric, paper, or even wood with ease. Whether you’re making custom t-s...
Screen Printing Squeegees - Speedball Art
For those who love combining printmaking with painting, Liquitex Acrylic Ink is a fantastic addition to your studio. It’s fluid, highly pigmented, and can be used with dip pens, brushes, or even airbrushes. It’s perfect for adding vibrant details to ...
Acrylic Ink - Liquitex
If you enjoy working with layers and textures, a good collage medium is essential. This one from Ranger dries with a matte finish, making it perfect for adhering paper elements in mixed media pieces. It works seamlessly with acrylics, inks, and paste...
Tim Holtz Distress® Collage Mediums - Ranger Ink
For those who love experimenting, Golden Soft Gel Medium is a must-have. It works as a glue, a texture builder, and a glazing medium all in one. Whether you’re transferring images, layering translucent effects, or adding depth to your paintings, this...
Soft Gel - Golden Artist Colors
Creative Workspaces
Your art space matters! Find comfortable and functional desks, adjustable lamps, storage solutions, and inspiration boards to keep your creative flow uninterrupted.
If you want a spacious, adjustable desk that tilts for sketching, painting, or drafting, this one is fantastic. It has built-in storage, a sleek design, and a comfortable stool, making it an excellent addition to any creative space.
2 Piece Comet Craft Center – 13319 - Studio Designs
Lighting matters when working with colors and details, and this high-quality daylight lamp helps prevent eye strain while offering true-to-life color accuracy. Perfect for late-night creative sessions!
Lumi Adjustable Lamp With Arm - The Daylight Company
If you don’t have room for a large easel but still want the comfort of an upright workspace, this tabletop easel is sturdy, foldable, and easy to store. Ideal for small studios!
Table Easels – Mont Marte Global
Keeping art supplies organized is a must, and this tote has multiple compartments, durable fabric, and adjustable sections to fit everything from brushes to sketchbooks.
Travel Cases for Art Supplies - Arteza.com
A game-changer for organizing your space! With hooks, shelves, and baskets, you can customize it to hold paints, brushes, sketchbooks, and even inspiration boards.
SKÅDIS Pegboard, white - IKEA
Inspiration & Books
Expand your knowledge with artist biographies, instructional books, and beautifully curated coffee table books that spark new ideas.
If you’ve ever struggled with lighting, shading, or understanding color in your work, this book is a goldmine of knowledge. Gurney, the creator of Dinotopia, breaks down light and color theory in a way that’s both practical and fascinating.
Color and Light: Guide for Realist Painter Vol 2
This book is legendary among creatives. It’s all about overcoming creative blocks, building confidence, and developing a more inspired and fulfilling creative practice. If you ever feel stuck, this book is like a reset button for your artistic mindse...
The Artist's Way: 30th Anniversary Edition - Books
This book is a must-read for any creative! It’s not just for artists, but for anyone looking to tap into their creativity. Kleon shares simple, yet powerful insights on how to find inspiration and develop your own unique artistic voice.
Steal Like An Artist - a book by Austin Kleon
For anyone working with realistic drawing, painting, or sculpting, this book is one of the best anatomy guides out there. It’s filled with clear, visual breakdowns of muscles and movement, making it an incredible resource for figure artists.
Anatomy For Sculptors: Human Figure Guide
If you love abstract art or want to explore its evolution, this book dives deep into its history, styles, and influences across different cultures. It’s beautifully designed and full of inspiration for anyone wanting to push creative boundaries.
Abstract Art: A Global History: Karmel, Pepe
One of the most accessible books on art history, perfect for understanding how styles and techniques have evolved.
The Story of Art: Gombrich, E.H.: 9780714832470
Not a traditional art book, but a beautiful reflection on creativity and how to nurture it in everyday life.
The Creative Act: A Way of Being
A thought-provoking book (and TV series) that will make you see art in a new way—exploring how images communicate with audiences and how their meaning changes over time.
Ways of Seeing by John Berger