Artist essentials: 15 must-have items for your studio (that aren't art supplies)

[@Pixeljo5]

Thanks!

[@2lilowlsstudio]

Thank you!! You’ve really made my day 🥰🥰🥰

[@nathalieheath5693]

And today…. you make me smile yet again Denise ❤. Thank you for being a ray of sunshine in this world ☀️

[@2lilowlsstudio]

Thank you! 🥰🥰🥰

[@amandahodgin9316]

I would add a paint tube squeezer/crimper. You will be amazed at how much paint those things will squeeze out of what you think is an empty tube.

[@2lilowlsstudio]

Oooh!! Good one. I might need that 😁

[@IncurablyCreative]

Here in the UK there’s a brand of ibuprofen gel that comes with a yellow plastic tube squeezer (Ibuleve) They work perfectly for this. Obviously if you didn’t need the pain relief gel it’s not a useful tip - but if you do, it’s a freebie 😊

[@2lilowlsstudio]

@@IncurablyCreative really? That is cool! Keep that!! 😊

[@rebeccafiveash4335]

We use to have toothpaste tube squeezers

[@dreamwoodsbutterfly]

You're enthusiasm with everything continues to inspire me!

[@2lilowlsstudio]

Thank you! 🥰🥰🥰

[@anneslinger2189]

I have low-tack painter's tape that I found at a store. It probably is more expensive, but it's even LESS tacky, which is good for me. Plus, it's purple😁

[@2lilowlsstudio]

I love the purple tape too!! It is on my shelf, just didn’t pull it out today 😊

[@gaylecewpie5012]

An old artist hint that I've known about and used for 40 yrs. Especially oil paint tubes, run the cap under very hot water for a minute or so, opens right up!! Try it with Acrylics and Watercolor tubes as well.🙃

[@2lilowlsstudio]

Great tip! Thank you! ☺️

[@ldolan1802]

Throwing away my old pliers….the Golden lid opener is in my cart now! The microfiber towels are amazing, they are a staple in my art room. 😊 love your videos, love the enthusiasm you have for art. I started out with you a very long time ago. I’ve used many of your filters, digital art supplies for years. I still love my photography and digital art, but as I get older, I’m going back to my first love of painting, so glad to see you here on KZbin!

[@2lilowlsstudio]

That’s what I seem to be doing too… going back to my art things. I just don’t want to spend all day on the computer if I don’t have to. So glad you are here!! 🥰🥰🥰

[@Alignedwithmyself]

I use an old fashioned pair of nutcrackers to open paint lids.

[@2lilowlsstudio]

I was using old plier… tore up lots of lids! This grippr is fantastic! 😊

[@tinatierson6012]

Oh my gosh - the paint lid opener!!!! DEFINITELY getting it!! Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!!!

[@2lilowlsstudio]

Best tool ever! You’ll love it! 😊

[@Gypsisoul1111]

More supplies to buy!! Im gonna need a bigger art office. 😁

[@Gypsisoul1111]

Oh you are an art sister from another mother! I already have all except the brush cleaners and paint opener. I do have a ceramic pallet that I love, but I also went thrifting and old furniture stores looking for an old thick glass window pane and found a round glass pane that I also use that I just love.

[@2lilowlsstudio]

Can our art spaces ever be big enough? Mine spills out into the hall closet and the guest bedroom 😂

[@lynndavis9432]

I use a vintage deviled egg plate as a palette. Part of the fun was the hunt at the antique shops!

[@2lilowlsstudio]

Yes! I love looking for treasures at the antique market!! 😊

[@Nat-dx3vp]

If I have any more "aha" moments watching you my Amazon wish list will be never ending 😅

[@2lilowlsstudio]

Haha! Thank you 🥰🥰🥰

[@mendyhand3895]

Wow! Fun to see other art lovers must haves….and “just wanted it, so I just got it”. Also thanks for pumping so many videos out! And your classes look so great too! 🤗🙏🏻👍🎨🖌

[@2lilowlsstudio]

So glad you are enjoying the videos!! Thank you! 🥰🥰🥰

[@lorettaheckendorn1949]

I have lucky come across your channel and I'm now a new super fan 😄I am new to painting and I especially love abstract watercolors. I will be watching all your videos with excitement. This video was extremely helpful. THANK YOU!💖

[@2lilowlsstudio]

Thank you so much!! 🥰

[@sheilagilleland4312]

Wow, this is great I have several things you showed, the ceramic egg holder isn’t old. I raise chickens and I have several of them for eggs but I also use them for water color mixing. Easy clean up for sure then I fill it back up with eggs if I need to.

[@2lilowlsstudio]

The egg thing is super fun! I love finding cool ceramics to use as a paint palette 😊

[@stephenwelham]

Try hand sanitizer to clean your brushes good for acrylics gouache

[@2lilowlsstudio]

Thanks for the tip! 😊

[@dawnkarasaki6172]

Awesomeness! Just like my quilting and sewing supplies, notions that work wonders.❤

[@2lilowlsstudio]

Yes! Thank you! 😊

[@tessag5699]

Thank you for the suggestions and that is a cool tool. I use a set of pliers.😂

[@2lilowlsstudio]

I was using pliers too. I damaged lots of paint lids with them! This doest damage the lids!! 😊

[@Janalla808]

Great video! I buy white porcelain dishes at my local Salvation Army (or Thrift) store. I also buy pretty glassware for clean water for watercolor painting and for storing pencils/pens. Everything in the housewares section is usually 99 cents or $1.99.

[@2lilowlsstudio]

Great tips! Thank you! 🥰

[@Janalla808]

I’m so impressed that you responded to my comment within a minute and this video was posted 5 months ago! New subscriber! Following from Hawaii.

[@2lilowlsstudio]

@@Janalla808 Thank you! 🥰. I’m randomly on KZbin throughout the day usually. 😁

[@swl9270]

Masking tape applied to clothing, a towel something fabric quickly becomes painter’s tape in a pinch. Also tape that sits around and becomes hard to unroll, apply heat from a hair dryer/heat tool for a few seconds makes it manageable or throw it in the microwave for a few seconds. Search thrift stores/yard sales for white ceramic trays, plates etc. Plexiglass sheets make great boards for taping down paper. Big box construction stores sell it precut or some will custom cut it for you. I have many sizes for paper and gel plates that cost practically nothing.

[@2lilowlsstudio]

Great tips! Thank you! ☺️

[@k8marlowe]

Yep. I just give any very-sticky tape a quick pat on my sleeve or something and, voila! , artist tape. 😉

[@swl9270]

@@k8marlowe same here

[@hellbiter2324]

i just found your channel, and oh my goodness, your joy is so contagious!! 💚🌿

[@2lilowlsstudio]

Welcome!! Thank you! 🥰

[@janinafisher101]

I definitely need one of your favourite tools! I have some old oil paint that gives trouble like that. Didn't even know this existed! Another cool video. Thanks Denise!

[@2lilowlsstudio]

Happy to help! 😊

[@janiehowington7622]

Love the paint opener!!! I can't tell you how many times I twisted the paint tube!

[@2lilowlsstudio]

You and me both! That is the best tool! 😊

[@betsybuick4260]

Fantastic! What a big help!

[@2lilowlsstudio]

So glad! Thank you! 🥰

[@annibarry1338]

LOVE that tube opener, yes! I need it! Fiskars is a Finnish company, best quality in scissors, I don’t know much about the type of cutters you showed (I don’t do other arty stuff than painting, really) but it doesn’t surprise me that they have lasted as long you say they have. Last time I was in Finland I bought myself a couple of pairs of the cutest Moomin themed Fiskars scissors (yes Moomin is Finnish too 😊), a large one as an all purpose one and a small one for my knitting and crocheting. Looove them 🇫🇮✂️

[@2lilowlsstudio]

You need the opener!! I didn’t know fiskars was Finnish! Cool! 😊😊😊

[@barbborja1910]

Hi Denise! I’m a long time paper crafter who dabbles in watercolor and mixed media. I just wanted to let you know that if you want to go any larger with a paper trimmer, you need to get either a large rotary cutter or a guillotine cutter. Fiskars doesn’t make those awesome trimmers any larger, unfortunately. I’ve had one of mine for over 20 years and they are amazing.

[@2lilowlsstudio]

Funny you say that… I just ordered a guillotine cutter! I remember those from when I was a kid in school. I loved using the one in my class and the teacher trying to keep us from cutting our fingers off!! 😆😆😆

[@mendyhand3895]

👍

[@rebeccafiveash4335]

I was just going to suggest perhaps a guillotine but I've just ordered Tim Holtz"s new Rotary Trimmer. Should handle lots of mixed media art.

[@pattitolleyparrish]

Not art supplies but somehow several have ended up in my Amazon cart! LOL Thanks for the must haves. Always interesting to see what other artists can't do without. Thanks.

[@2lilowlsstudio]

I realized the day after I filmed this that I totally forgot a few items!! Maybe another video later of must haves! 😊

[@pattitolleyparrish]

@@2lilowlsstudio Thanks for the warning! LOL I'll start saving!

[@2lilowlsstudio]

@@pattitolleyparrish 😆😆😆

[@Cre-Art]

Smart thinking. Very good supply list. Some I have, others are on my list now too. Thanks. :)

[@2lilowlsstudio]

Glad it was helpful! Thank you! ☺️

[@sheilacruz7922]

Heat the lid of your paint tube with a hairdryer. Works great especially with watercolors.

[@2lilowlsstudio]

Great tip! Thank you! ☺️

[@susinok]

I bought a set of 12 soy sauce dishes. They are tiny, round, shallow dishes I use for paint mixing and palettes.

[@2lilowlsstudio]

Those sound fantastic! Now I want some 😁

[@maccar2761]

I need some panels. Thanks 😊

[@2lilowlsstudio]

You’d love having the panels!! They are fantastic 😊

[@suzannefellows491]

I love to use my fabric rotary cutter for cutting paper with a ruler. The blade that isn’t good any more for cutting fabric is still great for paper.

[@2lilowlsstudio]

That's a great idea! Thank you!! 🥰

[@machelleshappyhobbies4977]

Thanks for this video. 😊

[@2lilowlsstudio]

My pleasure 🥰

[@staceyrivera475]

Thank you so much for sharing. ❤

[@2lilowlsstudio]

You are so welcome! 😊

[@nadinehalden4154]

Great information!! Thanks so much. You’d mentioned the GRIPR in one of your earlier videos and I bought one straight away. It’s great!! My fingers used to ache after getting those stuck-on caps off of paint tubes. Now I just apply the tool and twist and the cap comes off so easily. 🌸🎨🖌️

[@2lilowlsstudio]

It is really the best tool… 😊

[@bonnerdebbie]

Thanks Denise, very informative video. I have all but the opener, I am still using pliers, will have to have a look.

[@2lilowlsstudio]

You’d love the opener. I was using pliers before too and ruined so many lids! This little grip is amazing! 😊

[@RMurrell31]

I too love to find ceramic dishes to use as an art supply; they are usually less expensive than something deemed ART supply.

[@2lilowlsstudio]

Yes! They are less expensive, and pretty! 😊

[@aesea57804]

Daiso has white plates in all kinds of sizes, including a great 3-well one. Perfect! $1.75 for most.

[@bonniecarlson9573]

With the paint opener that’s great but if you heat up paint glue or other drying art supplies with hot water heat gun or blow dryer it will loosen it enough to open easily. Love your tips and ready to dive in.

[@2lilowlsstudio]

Oh! Great tip!! 😊

[@josephinecassou9148]

I cant even count how many tubes of acrylic & watercolor tubes I have ruined until I found the awesome tube opener last month. When it arrived in the mail it was like someone sent me gold. 🤷🏼‍♀️

[@2lilowlsstudio]

Right?? Me too... I've ruined so many tubes... that thing is magic! 😁

[@beckyhrnandez]

Thanks, this was fun...😊🎶

[@2lilowlsstudio]

Thank you! ☺️

[@lindakuck5981]

Thanks for sharing ❤

[@2lilowlsstudio]

You are so welcome 😊

[@amandaabanses]

Gracias,! Por compartir tus técnicas

[@2lilowlsstudio]

You’re welcome! 😊

[@lizzelloart]

You are the second person to tell me too buy shop towels, so now I think I need to pick some up. The shop towels have no paper/dust particles, right?

[@2lilowlsstudio]

Shop towels are amazing. Yes - doesn’t leave the paper dust like regular paper towels. 😊

[@aesea57804]

Big hardware stores have precut pieces of plexiglass that are lightweight and cheap art boards! Grab a few while getting those paper towels and painters tape. Avoid the Art Supply price😂

[@2lilowlsstudio]

Thanks for the tip! 😊

[@elouisegomez7813]

🎉Great video! What width painter's tape do you get?? Just found your channel about a week ago, subscribed and just ❤ it😊, Ella in FL

[@2lilowlsstudio]

I like the tape that is about 1/2" when I want thinner lines like when I tape off little squares... but I mostly use the tape that is about 1" wide. Hope that helps! 😊

[@susanorban3059]

Hi Denise! Hope your day is going good! Loved this video and thanks tor all the links. I want to get the Golden paint opener and the shop towels for sure. I have microfiber cloths already. Oh and the brush cleaner I need too! Can i please as you a question about rhe the Color Meditation Deck cards? I got mine in the mail today. As ive gotten older i find im very literal and sometimes that causes me problems 🤔🤪 anyway I did read the instructions but am a little confused. What do you suggest as the way to used these cards? Pick one Parameter Card then just one of any of the others and just follow the prompts? Thanks a million for any suggestions and advice. I really want to do this the best way. Hugs Susan in Az🏜️❤️

[@2lilowlsstudio]

So glad you loved the video! For the color meditation deck - I just randomly pulled cards to be inspired by as I painted. I don’t think I even read the directions. I like art prompts - so I use them for that. I’ll be doing some more art challenges coming up where I pull prompts. I have a few in the queue already. You could pull them as a parameter and then another card. Probably a good way to do that! 😊

[@susanorban3059]

@@2lilowlsstudio Thanks so much Denise. I'm an odd mixture... I love doing abstract WC but get stuck on directions for a practice. Ugh.🥴🤪🥰Thanks for your reply it's really so nice that you do reply back! I'll just be picking random cards from now on and not thinking so dang hard!🥰

[@stephenwelham]

How about a butchers tray in plastic or enamel from a catering supplier

[@2lilowlsstudio]

Butchers trays are great too! 😊

[@aesea57804]

Plastic surfaces aren’t best for watercolor because the paint beads up, really hard to make a puddle of color. Enamel and ceramic make life so much easier!

[@debs6182]

Thanks so much for this... would you say 300gsm is the best paper to use? I paint with acrylic paints and acrylic inks...thanks! ❤

[@2lilowlsstudio]

That’s what I use for just about everything the 300gsm! 😊

[@debs6182]

@@2lilowlsstudio Thank you! 💖

[@ejej1964]

Where did you get the paint tube opener?

[@2lilowlsstudio]

I’ve linked it for you in the description - it is last on the list under the hardboard panels. Golden Grippr tool 😊

[@ejej1964]

@@2lilowlsstudio Thank you