Favorite Supplies

I think it's safe to say that we all have our favorites. I know that I do. Color. Food. Apps. Seasons. The list can go on and on.

Today I'd like to share my favorite tools for creating in my art journal. These are the supplies I use when working small and on paper. I tend to use different ones when creating large and on canvas. I will share those another time.

For me I use my art journal as a safe place to practice art. It's not a diary. But it is expressive. It's the receptacle for all that I am learning. Practicing. Processing

These are my favorites right now. Today. 

Canon Mixed Media 9X12 Spiral Bound Journal

Nothing fancy. Very basic. Not intimidating. Perfect.

This journal is a work horse. It holds up well to layers of paint. Collage. Modeling Paste. 

I have finished 6 of these in this exact size. I currently have another 3 that are in process. The reason I use so many at a time is while one is drying I can jump over to another.

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Charcoal Pencil & Stabilo Pencil

I start almost every painting with these. Rough. Thick. Dark. Messy.

This works well for me as it allows me to sketch out simple designs without trying to be fancy. Precise. Perfect.

Both the Charcoal and Stabilo are water soluble so they integrate well into the paint. They add darkness around the edges. 

To give you an idea here's a quick sketch I did on a textured background:

It doesn't look like much. In fact it looks like a mess. But once I start painting over it the crazy background will provide texture and the charcoal pencil adds depth.

I like to start most of my journal pages with this type of background. Busy. Textured. Ugly.

Most of it will be painted over but the bits that peak through add a lovely dimension. The texture adds visual interest.

I'll show my process for backgrounds in another post.

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Golden Fluid Acrylics & Blick Titanium White Paint

These paints are thin, richly pigmented and move around easily. They mix smoothly with the charcoal for darkness. When I'm working small I love these paints.

When I need to lighten it up or add a bit of thickness the Blick titanium white acrylic paint works perfectly. As you can see below I dab my paintbrush directly into the jar so there's color leftover inside.

No room for perfect here. Keeping it loose. Not precious. 

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Simply Simmons Paintbrushes, Catalyst Wedge & Palette Knife

These tools are used heartily and roughly. I appreciate their fortitude. That pokey tool on the end I believe is used in ceramics or pottery. I use it to make marks in the paint.

I paint, scrape and scratch with these tools. Texture and marks are good friends to my art.

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EXTRAS:

If I had nothing but the supplies listed above I could create most of my art journal pages. The following items are not used every time I create but often enough to qualify for the favorite category.

Derwent XL Charcoal Blocks

Rich color in a chunky charcoal stick. What could be better? Don't the colors remind you of fall? 

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Liquitex Ink

I use this at the end to mute or tone a page down. If something is too bright then a wash of this super thin ink is the answer. I have about 15 colors but this one is my favorite.

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Uniball Signo White Pen

This pen is a dream-come-true. I am not kidding. It actually works. I don't know about you but I have bought so many white pens in my day and they work once or never. Go buy this pen right now you will not be sorry.

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So that sums it up for now. These are my current go-to's.

Don't hold me to it because, well....things change. I'm always looking for new products.

In the comment section below I'd love to hear about any fun, interesting or unique tools you use.