FAVORITE ART SUPPLIES
Pens: Fountain & Disposable
Lamy Safari Fountain Pen: This is my favorite pen for drawing with waterproof ink, so I can add watercolor later. I use the smallest tip- EF, which is similar to a 03 – 05. I also love to write with this one. You can purchase the Lamy here. You can check out my tips for refilling your pen.
Lamy Z28 Converter: This is a reusable cartridge that allows you to pour ink from a glass bottle into the pen instead of using plastic throw-away cartridges.
Lamy Nib Black Extra Fine: This is an extra fine nib for drawing detailed work of the type I typically do.
De Atramentis Waterproof Ink: For use with Lamy Safari fountain pen. This ink is waterproof and keeps your Lamy tips flowing.
Lumos Pro Duo Tip: The Lumos Pro is a fabulous refillable pen that allows you to keep two nibs loaded at once. It’s beautiful and, best of all, has the truly fine liner tips I want in a refillable pen. Use code MINDFULARTSTUDIO to save 10%. (I love using this pen with Platinum Carbon waterproof ink. The ink that comes with the Lumos is not waterproof)
Platinum Carbon Waterproof Ink: For use with Lumos or Lumos Pro fountain pen. This ink is waterproof but won’t dry out the fine tips of the Lumos pen.
Drawing Pens: A good drawing pen is so fun to use. Something that doesn’t pool ink when you pause is super important. I have information about refillable fountain pens to help cut down on plastic, just above. Micron pens are typically single use. Some folks do have luck refilling; look on Youtube for guidance.
White Gel Pen: I love using gel pens and paint pens on high flow acrylics in my journal. This is my favorite white gel pen. It stays put on the page and doesn’t transfer as much as some other brands.
Watercolor Paints & Ink
Amy’s Watercolor Palette: I love these Daniel Smith watercolor tubes. A little paint goes a long way because you need to add a lot of water, unlike with other paints. Here are my personal favorite colors: Burnt Umber, Quinadrichrone Burnt Orange, Yellow Ochre, Lemon Yellow, Rose Madder Permanent, Lunar Black, Indigo, Phthalo Blue, Phthalo Turquoise, and Olive Green. All of the colors you see me using come from these tubes – whether a mix of them or straight. If you want to start with a small budget, purchase the primaries: Lemon Yellow, Indigo, and Rose Madder Permanent. With these you can mix browns, purples, greys, greens, oranges, and everything in between.
Watercolor Travel Set: When I’m waiting in a doctor’s office or a parking lot, or drawing from nature, I love a good travel watercolor set. Not only does it allow me to create on the go, but it also makes doing watercolor at home seem more accessible.
Painting Ink: I enjoy working with ink with a bamboo brush to make beautiful, organic marks in my journal, or to obscure something. This ink is waterproof, but is not good for fountain pens, just with a brush.
Watercolor Pallets: People often ask about my large, ceramic watercolor palette. You can easily get a white plate from a thrift shop. However, if, like me, you find you need more space to spread out with your paint, I love using a porcelain tray. Here are a couple of options:
Nesting Watercolor Dishes: Lately, for mixing a large amount of one color of paint, I’ve been enjoying these nesting dishes. If you have a large palette, you probably don’t need this. I tend to work in my small pieces and from my small palette so I figured I’d give them a go.
Foldable Cup with Top: I’ve been enjoying having a foldable water cup and real brushes so that even when I’m traveling I have better painting precision.
Brushes
Watercolor Brushes: I love the Dick Blick Golden Taklon brush series. Go for the Scholastic series, and for a better set, go for the Masterstroke Series.
Travel Water Brush: A travel water brush is super convenient for making art on the go. Lately I have started carrying a #10 and #) round brush and collapsible cup instead as I like the greater control. But if you want an all in one option, these are great.
Bamboo Brush: I love bamboo brushes and the organic shapes they so easily make. I use them with ink and watercolor. You might like to have an assortment of sizes. I find I use size 6 the most.
Papers & Art Journals
Student Grade Watercolor Paper: For slow drawing and painting, and work for collage, I use Strathmore Watercolor 300 series. This is a paper-based, student-grade watercolor paper I use for slow drawing and painting with watercolors and inks, for making inchies, and for making my own handmade journals.
High Quality Cotton Watercolor Pad: This is the high quality, cotton-based watercolor paper I use it for better watercolor pieces, such as those we explore in the Watercolor Wonder class. You’ll see how the paint bleeds better, and you can remove color without pilling the page.
High Quality Cotton Watercolor Sheet: This is a single sheet of 90 lb cotton cold-pressed watercolor paper from Bockingford. This is the paper I use when I make my own watercolor journals. You can cut this big sheet into much smaller pieces for an economic choice. It comes in 22 x 30 sheets in US and Europe.
Tracing Paper: This is one of the papers I use for creating layers with drawings in my art journal.
Paper Cutting Paper: The 300 series Strathmore drawing paper is great for paper cutting. Not too tough to cut, but does not tear easily.
Handmade Coptic Journal: Once you know you are into art journaling, making your journal is an incredibly satisfying practice. I have a class where I teach you how step by step in photos, written instruction, and a video.
Watercolor Journal: This Handbook art journal comes with a handy elastic to hold the journal closed, as well as coming in different fun sizes and colors. These journals also have lovely quality paper, not quite as sturdy as Strathmore, but the price is more economic.
Paper Cutting Supplies
Paper Cutting Knife: I like to use the Excel Cushion Grib Paper Cutting Knife together with the #11 Excel blades. The cushion grib has a very comfortable handle, and the Excel blades are wonderful, and also more economical. You can use code AMYMARICLE at check out to save 15% on all Excel products!
Self-Healing Cutting Mat: This is a wonderful, high-quality mat. I like the larger size to start because you can work on small projects, but also larger projects.
Fiskars Precision Paper Cutter
This is the paper cutter I use to cut my “inchies” – 2 x 2 inch squares and small watercolor pieces for slow drawing.
Glue
Yes Paste: YES paste is my go to adhesive for a lot of jobs. I use it for a lot of the glueing in hand made journals and tunnel journals, as well as glueing small pieces to backgrounds. You apply the glue with an old credit card or a palette knife. I use this in the BIG ART and Handmade art journals classes, amongst others.
PVA Glue: A glue is a book binding glue. It’s acid free and is lovely to brush on. I use it in making my own journals.
Nori paste: is a natural, acid free adhesive.
Lighting
Canvas Lamp: This is what I use to hold my phone while I film. It’s the best light and phone holder I’ve found and comes from a family owned company. Use code AMY10 to save 10%.
I’m Amy!
Hi, I’m Amy, the founder of Mindful Art Studio®. I believe we are all artists, and I love having the opportunity to help nurture the artist in you. I think buying just a few, high-quality supplies, and then giving yourself permission to just play and experiment, is one of the most powerful things you can do as an artist. You don’t need tons of supplies or complicated techniques. You need supplies with rich color and that do the job they are meant to do so that your practice builds confidence, and you get more joy from your creative practice.