A few of my favorite art making tools
Today’s painting experiments in my painting journals, using acrylic paints, stencils and mark making tools. I always have at least two active paintings happening at once - it saves from wasting paint and helps me get more into an idea. Today’s special: pinks and reds. Pictured here is my trusty tempered glass palette, which I bought in about 1998 or so.
Like every other artist I know, I have my favorite tools for making art.
Some of the tools I work with came to me from experience, some from study, many accidentally.
I watch a lot of art videos and learn from how other artists work and use their tools. During my 10 year hiatus from painting, many new tools and techniques hit the market, very happily so. As I picked up my brushes again and started to play, I knew I wanted to work in a new way.
The paints I brought into play include gouache, metallic and iridescent watercolors, inks, and colored pencils - lot of them! Instead of my former clear vinyl canvas, I am now painting on paper, board, and coming soon - canvas.
I collect mark making tools that would otherwise be trash; scrap paper and cardboard are excellent for painting, creating shapes, collage. Foam inserts that come with boxed items make amazing stenciling sponges because they are so dense, washable and reusable, plus very durable. Plastic forks are a long time favorite, along with old plastic credit and business cards.
I never buy or use paper towels, disposable palettes, or other throw away items. I repurpose old towels, clothing, and rags, as art rags. They last a very long time, and are washable. As I only use water based paints, this works. I’d like to encourage other artists of all kinds to consider how much material they toss into the trash.
Also, as quality paint is Expensive with a capital E! - I have gotten into the habit of working on several pieces at once, plus I have a stack of old painting experiments that could always use a freshening up.
I love making color charts! I learn so much every time I do them.
Besides the materials needed to actually make a work of art, there are other tools that are every bit as necessary to me on this art making journey. Here’s a few.
Meditation - My daily meditation is every bit as necessary to my art making journey as any other part of my practice. More so, actually, because meditation helps me move out anything that stops me from trying something new, experimenting, or that tells me I’m a terrible artist. Studying meditation and clairvoyance years ago helped me become an abstract painter. Now I teach energy and psychic tools, at the Art of the Seer Academy.
Morning Pages - Many years ago, I read Julia Cameron’s amazing book The Artist’s Way, and immediately followed her advice to write the daily morning pages. This was long before I ever took a meditation class, and I know that writing morning pages helped me find my way onto the path I’m on now, so thank you, Julia Cameron! I did them for years, stopped for years, and have picked them up again. Amazingly, they are more helpful and healing to me now than I remember them being back then.
Music is such a beautiful element in my studio, and so necessary to create a mood, get me moving and out of any energy that is getting in the way of enjoying playing with paint. I’ve been enjoying finding music by artists I know nothing about, mostly instrumental, while painting.
Painting journals - I love painting in my journals, and have gotten into the habit of doing it regularly. I buy journals that are made with heavy watercolor paper, so I can use the materials I usually use. Painting journals are a low pressure way to experiment, try something new, and give myself permission. They are also extremely satisfying to flip through, and inspirational too.
My painting journals, morning pages, and a couple of well used palettes.
