Absolutely favorite art tools

by Lauren Rader

This is what I know: It’s good to have the right art tool for the job.

We come from a long line of tool users. Tools are so thoroughly woven into our lives they’re like natural extensions of ourselves — like the pen I used to write this post.The art world is virtually exploding with new kinds of tools. New drawing implements, new gels for your paint, new types of paper and on and on and on. It’s impossible to keep up.

This is what I think: It’s really about the doing. The creating. The work.

I’ve created in lots of different media over the years — and when I carve stone I swoon over a hand-made Italian rasp; when I paint with oils, Williamsburg has my heart; for acrylics I side with Golden — most of the time.

I want a paintbrush that helps me achieve the nuance of a stroke; paint that can offer me subtle layering of color; a pen with the precise point and glide to help me express what’s in my mind and heart. I don’t need all the stuff out there. What I need is the right art tool to get the job done. Here are 5 basic tools I keep in my art toolkit.

5 of My Favorite Art Tools:

1. Colored pencils: Prismacolors. They’re the best — well worth the price. Cheap colored pencils are waxy and won’t layer the way good ones do, and it’ll make a huge difference in your drawing. Prismacolors come in a couple of grades. I love the ‘Premier’ grade. You can replace pencils individually, so once you’ve made your initial outlay you can buy new pencils as needed.

2. Oil pastels: no need to pay a lot for these. Most of them are very similar and work just fine. But if you want something smoothe and delightfully luscious, I’m a Sennelier fan. And if you’re ever in Paris, visit the historic but still in business Sennelier shop on the Seine — where Picasso and Cezanne got their art supplies! Incroyable!

3. Watercolors: Pelikan is my favorite beginner brand. They’ve got good color and are inexpensive. I’d get a set of 24 colors, which you can also travel with. But my very favorite watercolors are Maimeri. They’re beautiful paints and worth the price if you’re really into watercolors.

4. Watercolor brushes: you don’t need the best to get started. Watercolor brushes have soft bristles that can hold a lot of water and snap back nicely. They vary quite a bit in price, but you can be happy with an inexpensive brush. For travel, my all time favorite brushes have a water reservoir in the handle! No need to bring a bottle of water. They’re awesome! They come in a variety of brush shapes and sizes but I like a medium round just fine.

5. Pens: I’m a little fickle with pen love. But lately my faves for drawing are Micron pens by Sakura. I like an 02 for drawing but they come in lots of point sizes.Well, that’s the art supply roundup for today. I’ve included a variety of places to purchase from — I like buying from real art supply stores to keep them alive.

Thanks so much for reading! My new book, Studio Stories, Illuminating Our Lives through Art is coming out October 10!! Read more about it at www.laurenraderart.com.