Favorite Supplies

The best art supplies for art journaling are the ones that you enjoy using and that allow you to express yourself creatively. There are many different types of art supplies that can be used for art journaling, so it is important to experiment and find what works best for you.

A look inside Beatrix Potter’s art journal.

Some popular art supplies for art journaling include the following. I’ll note my favorites with an affiliate Amazon link.

Pens and pencils:

Pens and pencils are a great way to add details and text to your art journal pages. There are many different types of pens and pencils available, so you can choose the ones that fit your style and budget. My favorites -

• Koh-i-Noor Magic pencils are fun to grab when you are going to be outside and don’t want a lot of supplies to carry.

• The General’s Sketch and Wash pencil is a classic and is perfectly paired with a brush and a bit of water (or your finger dipped in water!). You can sketch with it like any pencil but the water makes it smudge and behave like watercolor. A simple yet dynamic tool!

• Uni-ball Signo Ultra Micro 207 is used almost all day for many different tasks including in my art journal.

• Staedtler Pigment liners are the primary pens I combine with watercolor paint. It may seem trivial but I like the case that this particular set comes in too!

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Markers

Markers are versatile art supplies that can be used to create a variety of effects. Many different types of markers are available, so you can choose the ones that will give you the desired results. I can recommend-

• Posca pens are water-based paints available in a variety of styles with a variety of tips. They dry permanently on virtually any surface, which has made them popular for illustrators, artists, and even for things like graffiti and signage for shops. I primarily use white pens in a variety of size tips to create a little spark in my journaled images.

• Crayola Supertips are the bomb. These are always dependable, have a great price point, and are available in a wide variety of colors.

• Staedtler triplus fine line markers make such a beautiful line.

• Prismacolor dual-tip markers have been in my arsenal since college. They are worth the investment! The link is for one particular 12-color set but there are many different sets to choose from and if you have a local art store to visit you can purchase just the individual colors that are perfect for your work.

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Crayons

Crayons are a great way to add color to your art journal pages. They are also relatively inexpensive, so they are a good option for beginners. And opening the box and getting a waft of the crayon ‘smell’ will absolutely take you back!

• Crayola is the only way to go for the basics in my book. The quality is really superior to other crayons.

• Do you like to use water in your art journal? Then you might like to add a few Neocolor’s by Caran d’Arche. They are a bit pricey but they last a long time and you can purchase just the particular colors that are your favorites if you don’t want a complete set.

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Watercolors

Watercolors are a great way to create soft, delicate washes of color. They can also be used to create more dramatic effects. Here are sets that I use for adding color to my journals and sketchbooks. Most of these are also great for traveling with art supplies.

• Kuretake Gansai Tambi watercolors are packaged so beautifully in true Japanese elegance. And the colors are the most brilliant of all of these sets. They are awesome for illustration work but the packaging does not make them easily conducive for taking on the road.

• Winsor & Newton Cotman watercolor set in a metal box with half pans. This set has a double set of mixing wells. And the metal box is so traditional and sturdy.

• I have two Derwent sets and I love them both. One is the inktense paint pan studio set which I purchased because I really appreciate the pigment strength. The other is the line and wash paint pan set. It is wonderful because it combines inktense, graphitint, and pastel shade paints. If you are new to Derwent watercolors this is a great set to try out to understand the differences in their product lines.

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Acrylics

Acrylics are a versatile art medium that can be used to create a variety of effects. They are also relatively easy to use, making them a good option for beginners.

• craft acrylics are an affordable way to start out. This link is for a set of a brand I have worked with but I’d advise you to shop for individual colors in your local art or discount store. Most brands are acceptable.

• Tube acrylics such as those made by Grumbacher or Winsor & Newton have a really lovely, thicker texture than the craft bottles. That might be an advantage for your work or it might not. But it’s fun to try different products to discern what’s right for your art.

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Gesso

Gesso is a white primer that can be used to prepare your art journal pages. It helps to create a smooth surface for your artwork and also helps to prevent the ink from bleeding through the paper.

• Priming paper is an interesting step that protects and/or enhances your paper, canvas or board.

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Collage materials

Collage materials can be used to add texture and interest to your art journal pages. There are many different types of collage materials available, so you can choose the ones that fit your style. Better yet start saving interesting papers that come into your life. Upcycling envelopes, stamps, junk mail, cigar bands, and packaging material is interesting and good for the environment. Once you start collecting you will see interesting pieces of paper everywhere!

How do you zone in on what’s most important for you? Here are some tips for choosing art supplies for art journaling:

• Consider your style: When choosing art supplies, it is important to consider your style. If you enjoy using bright colors, then you might want to choose markers or acrylics. If you prefer more muted colors, then you might want to choose watercolors or colored pencils.

• Consider your budget: Art supplies can range in price from very affordable to very expensive. It is essential to set a budget before you start shopping so that you don't overspend.

• Experiment: The best way to find out what art supplies you like is to experiment. Try different things and see what works best for you. There is no right or wrong way to art journal, so have fun and be creative!

I’ll be glad to share my favorite journals and sketchbooks in a future post. In the meantime, it would be awesome for you to sign up for the studio newsletter to receive some fun free things in your inbox and stay up on what’s new in the studio!