My Favorite Art Supplies for Drawing & Sketching
Welcome to my personal studio essentials ✨
On this page, I share the art supplies I actually use for drawing, sketching, and illustration. These are the tools that live on my desk, come with me on trips, and show up in my daily creative practice.
I care a lot about calm, mindful creating — so for me, good materials aren’t about having more, but about having the right tools that feel good to use and support the way I work.
If you’re building your own art kit or looking for reliable supplies to start (or upgrade) your practice, this is a great place to begin.
🎨 Markers & Coloring Tools
Why POSCA Markers Are My Absolute Favorite
There are a lot of markers out there — alcohol markers, brush pens, acrylic pens — but POSCA markers are the ones I reach for again and again.
If I had to keep only one set of markers in my studio, it would probably be these.
What Makes POSCA Markers So Good?
POSCA markers are water-based acrylic paint markers. That means they combine the control of a pen with the coverage and vibrancy of paint.
For me, they are perfect for:
- Bold linework
- Layering on top of acrylic backgrounds
- Adding highlights over watercolor
- Working on mixed media pieces
- Creating graphic, clean details
The pigment is strong, opaque, and smooth. Colors sit beautifully on paper without looking streaky.
Ohuhu Alcohol Markers
These are my go-to markers for smooth color blends and clean, vibrant illustrations. I use them for sketchbook work, studies, and finished pieces when I want soft gradients and rich colors without streaks.
Why I like them:
- Smooth blending
- Affordable compared to many pro brands
- Perfect for both beginners and more experienced artists
- Great color range
✏️ Shuttle Art 136 Colored Pencils (Sketching & Blending)
The Shuttle Art 136-piece colored pencil set is a fantastic choice when you want a full range of vibrant colors without spending a ton. I like keeping these in my larger sketchbooks and travel packs because they give me the flexibility to explore smooth shading, layered color, and detailed drawings without needing a bunch of separate sets.
Why I use them:
- Huge variety of colors — great for detailed sketches and landscapes
- Easy to blend and layer for smooth transitions
- Comfortable to hold for longer drawing sessions
- Perfect for creatives who love experimenting with color
This set is especially useful when I’m working on mixed-media pieces or want to add expressive color on the go. Whether I’m doing floral sketches, urban scenes, or creative experiments, this pencil set feels reliable and satisfying to use.
🎨 Winsor & Newton Professional Watercolor – Alizarin Crimson
This Winsor & Newton Alizarin Crimson watercolor is one of those colors that I always come back to when I want rich, deep, natural reds in my work. It’s a professional-grade pigment that blends beautifully with other watercolors and adds warm, expressive tones to landscapes, floral pieces, and mixed-media sketches.
Why I love it:
- Really expressive color that stays true when diluted
- Great for both detailed washes and bold brush strokes
- Deep, vibrant red with excellent consistency
- Pairs beautifully with both lighter and darker hues
This red has become a staple in my portable watercolor kit — whether I’m working at home or sketching outdoors in nature.
🖌️ FolkArt Acrylic Assorted Colors (Acrylic Paint Set)
This FolkArt Matte Acrylic Paint is a simple, reliable acrylic I like for small studies, background layers, and mixed-media details. It has a smooth matte finish and a creamy consistency that makes it easy to apply without fuss — perfect when I want quick, bold color that dries fast and layers well.
Why I like it:
- Dries to a smooth matte finish
- Water-based acrylic, easy to work with and clean up
- Great for layering in mixed-media work (over/around ink, pencil, or collage)
- Nice option if you want an affordable acrylic for experimenting and adding color
🎨 JusArt Artist Tape (Drafting & Watercolor Masking Tape)
This JusArt Artist Tape is one of those little tools that actually makes a big difference in your creative workflow. Artist/tape is great for protecting paper edges, creating crisp borders, and keeping your sketchbook pages clean when working with watercolor, markers, or mixed media.
Why I include this in my kit:
- Helps you create clean edges and sharp shapes
- Great for masking off areas when using watercolor or acrylic
- Doesn’t tear the paper when removed
- Useful for sketching layouts, holding reference images, or sectioning your page
I use this tape whenever I want structure in my work — whether I’m working on calm watercolor washes or layering markers and ink. It’s one of those small supplies that helps keep your pages neat and intentional.
🧘♀️ My Approach to Art Supplies
I don’t believe you need hundreds of tools to make good art. I prefer a small, trusted collection of materials that I know well and enjoy using. The right tools make it easier to slow down, focus, and enjoy the process — and that’s what creativity is really about for me.
💛 A Small Note
Some links on this page are affiliate links. This means that if you choose to buy through them, I may earn a small commission — at no extra cost to you.
I only share products I genuinely use and love, and this helps support my art and creative work. Thank you for being here 🌿