Art Supply Love Affair

Here, it's okay to have a 'small problem' with art supplies

What do your supplies tell you about your artist? 

Most of the creatives I know love their supplies. We might even spend more time, money, and energy buying stuff than actually using them. I get it! And, I believe that consuming is the weakest form of creativity. Sure, we get a thrill from choosing and buying the perfect pencil or pen. But if we don’t use them, we are just a shopper. Not a maker. 

I have a pair of theories: 

• The more you are talking about writing, the less you are writing.

• The more art supplies you’re buying, the less you’re actually making art. 

When I teach sketchbook and drawing workshops, I ask folks to bring only their favorite supplies. It’s like I have asked them to leave a limb behind! Sometimes people show up wheeling a cart full of all the art supplies they own. What if you had to limit your choices? What comes up when you have to choose? 

And yet, the fondness we have for our objects fuels our work. Touching our tools gives us access to our creative state. I often start a creative session by tidying up my studio desk. I put pens back in their cup. I rinse out my water pots and refresh them with clean water. I roll out some washi tape to embellish a page for no reason other than for fun. 

Our pens and brushes and notebooks and knives become our allies. They partner with us in what we make. We rely on them to support our vision and bring our dreams to life. 

My faves: Kuretake Gansai Tambi Watercolors, Waterbrush, Isabey watercolor brush, Micropin waterproof drawing pens, Pilot Kakuno fountain pen, Caran d’Ache Neocolor II water-soluble crayons, travel watercolor kit (new tin!) Hahnemühle clip, MT washi tape (MT is the ONLY brand that works.)

Artist’s Invitation

Take inventory of your artist’s besties. Dare to exclude stuff!

Gather your most cherished items together and reflect on how they are your allies. Take a photo, make a sketch, write an ode. 

Most importantly, use them. Make a goal to use up all your art supplies instead of hoarding them.

Lastly, consider getting rid of old supplies you don’t use. You can take them to the thrift store, or perhaps there’s an art recycling center near you. 

Affirmation: I have all the right tools to support my artist. 

In the comments: What are your favorite tool?