My Top 10 Favorite Art Supplies of 2023!

It's that time of year again! Time to take a look back at the year, and reflect on my favorites. Come along as I talk about my ten favorite art supplies of 2023!
Materials (affiliate links)
Faber-Castell Pitt Artist Pen Dual- shrsl.com/4b8q5
Pan Pastels-
Sets: shrsl.com/4b8q7
Open Stock: shrsl.com/4b8q8
Holbein Artists’ Gouache- shrsl.com/4b8qa
Ampersand Enacausticbord- shrsl.com/4b8qc
Sakura Pigma Micron Pens- shrsl.com/4b8qd
Paul Rubens Watercolors with Sketchbook Included- amzn.to/3G3d8yQ
Holbein Soft White Colored Pencil- shrsl.com/4b8qg
Caran D’ Ache Luminance- shrsl.com/4b8qi
Stonehenge Aqua Watercolor Paper-
White: shrsl.com/4b8qe
Black: shrsl.com/4b8qf
Other Materials Mentioned:
Regular Pitt Artist Brush Pens- shrsl.com/4b8qm
Sofft Tools for applying Pan Pastels- shrsl.com/4b8q9
Holbein Acrylic Gouache- shrsl.com/4b8qb
Stay Wet Travel Palette for Gouache- amzn.to/46lhnAB
Paul Rubens Glitter Paper-amzn.to/3SKRPJS
Related videos:
Pitt Dual: • Review: NEW Faber-Cast...
Gouache on Stonehenge Aqua Black: • Using Gouache on Black...
Derwent Drawing: • The Most Underrated Co...
Taffy with Soft White: • Tips for Drawing Salt ...
Please note: Product links used in description are often affiliate links, this means I earn a small profit when someone uses my link to purchase a product. However, there is no additional charge to the person who is purchasing the product.
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Music:
Piano sound in the beginning is my own.
Editing programs:
Corel VideoStudio Ultimate 2023
CapCut
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[@ladyinblack3398]

I love really love all 3 of them. Polychromos, Luminance and Holbein. I have 12 of the Derwent Lightfast also. But the other 3 are my go to. Nothing wrong with Derwent Lightfast either, but I like the muted colors of the Luminance.

[@CautionArtistatPlay]

Those are some of the pencils I find myself reaching for the most, too. All great brands, and you can't go wrong with their quality! For me, I mostly go for the Holbein, Derwent Lightfast, and Polychromos. Though, I still find myself reaching for my Prismacolors for certain colors, too. I do love the Luminance, though, and I am looking forward to using them more and more in the coming year.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Great list!

[@CautionArtistatPlay]

Thank you, Lindsay!! 😊

[@dianaromig732]

One of my newest favorites for 2023 is handmade watercolors from Masha Watercolors and Beam paints. I too have the Holbein gouache but haven’t had success putting them in a palette so I’m going to push myself to use them straight from the tube to decorate the fronts of my swatch and watercolor journals ❤ Great product suggestions 🎉

[@CautionArtistatPlay]

I haven't tried any handmade watercolors yet, I'm going to have to check those out! I love decorating my sketchbooks and journals! I bet the gouache will be lots of fun for that!

[@creativespark7371]

I just found your channel today, and I am binge watching your videos while arting today. I have been following the art community on KZbin for about 13-14 years now--HOW DID I NOT FIND YOUR CHANNEL BEFORE!? Your content is great, your personality is awesome & relatable, and your art is beautiful!!! I am soooo glad I found your channel! Also, I watched a video you did about 6 months ago, and you mention you were a holbein brand ambassador and did workshops in that video. Are you still brand ambassador and doing workshops for holbein or other companies? Would love to see/hear about it! Anyway, I am SOOOOOOOO glad I found your channel!

[@CautionArtistatPlay]

Thank you so much!! I have been kicking around here since I believe, around 2017 or so. I'm not sure why the algorithm didn't bring us together before, but I'm glad you are here now! I hope you enjoy my videos and have a wonderful time creating today! 🥰💖

[@MrsBarnabas]

Hi, Shana. I enjoyed this video - a lot! I'm not a great fan of 'favourites 20-- - ' because I see so many 'favourites' which as as pristine as the day they were packaged! I've seen you use all of these this year, and it makes it sooo much more real! My favourites for 2022 and 2023 have come as a complete surprise to me!!! At base, I've always been a watercolourist and graphite plein air artist who dabbles occasionally with other media, but last year, due to 'circumstances', I could 't get out as much, so set myself and a student a sketchbook challenge. I chose an Art Creation 13 x 9cm (tiny!) sketchbook, and for most of the 160 page challenge, used pencil, fine liners and /or my very mixed-brands watercolour pencils, wet and dry, or watercolour. (I've never been a fan of coloured pencils but have used the w/c version a lot, wet and dry over the years). So doing the same challenge this year, but with a different student and a different size Art Creation sketchbook (12 x 12cm / 4 x 4") , the same mix of equipment, and still loving them - even plein air with the w/c pencils in a Hahnemühle 250gsm sketchbook with some dodgy sizing! Two years ago, I wouldn't have believed the work I'm doing with those watercolour pencils used dry. One of my favourites is of two long ribbons across both pages, one with a bow in it, using just two colours (Ultramarine and fuchsia, a glorious pinky-mauve) which took over five hours and a lot of layering and blending!!! Is this really me??? Well, it seems so, but a lot of the improved technique this year has come from watching artists like you and Scottish Gem of the Colour Cave, here on KZbin and a fast learning curve as a result. Thank you! 🤗

[@CautionArtistatPlay]

Thank you!! I do try to only talk about things I have actively used over the year when I do these videos. Otherwise, what is the point? Lol. It is funny how tastes change over time. There was a time in my life when I was only using acrylics. Which is really hard for me to imagine, because when I was a kid I liked all sorts of things, and now I couldn't imagine only using one medium! Things that I never thought I would fall in love with, like markers and oil pastels, have now become new favorites for me! It's one reason why I love being open to trying new things! I think it's great to set challenges, and the one you have been doing over the past couple of years sounds like it has been very beneficial for you and your students! I like watercolor pencils, they can be really versatile. My favorite water-soluble pencil is Derwent Inktense! That's what made me fall in love with water-soluble pencils! I also really like using water-soluble graphite! As always, thank you for watching and for your well thought out comment!

[@SketchesnScrubs]

Really inspiring list! Thank you for sharing ❤❤❤

[@CautionArtistatPlay]

I'm glad you liked it, thank you for watching! (P.s. I love your videos!)

[@SketchesnScrubs]

Awwww thank you! Likewise! I can’t stop watching 😂❤

[@CautionArtistatPlay]

​@SketchesnScrubs thank you! That makes me so happy to know! ❤

[@starvingartistscollective]

Great list Shana!! I also have those Paul Rubens watercolours.....I bought that 'flower' 1/2 set and the same colour selection as a tube set for refilling......all that pinkness is so 'girly' that I haven't had the heart to use the cloth! Bit of old T-shirt instead🤣🤣 TFS!!

[@CautionArtistatPlay]

Yeah, I haven't used the cloth either, it's too pretty! Lol. Buying the tubes to refill is a great idea! I may need to do that! Thank you for watching, I'm glad you liked my list!

[@cazkiwinz4300]

You can refill those “disposable” Pigma Microns when empty if the nib is still good, just pull the nib with tweezers and syringe Indian/Bombay ink in… which - bonus - is both cheap AND waterproof!

[@CautionArtistatPlay]

Good to know! Thanks for the tip!!

[@rayne6737]

Encaustic board was the best idea for Pitt Pens. It’s the best tip I have ever heard and I got it right here. I love it!!!

[@CautionArtistatPlay]

Oh, good! I'm so glad to hear that!! I searched forever to find something that works so well with them. I'm so happy to share it with others! I'm glad it works so well for you, too! 🥰

[@piscesillustrations]

I need to get some of those Faber Castell Pittman markers. I didn't know they had some that big. I hope I can find them some where. Thanks for sharing this video!

[@CautionArtistatPlay]

They are fantastic! They do have them available online at Blick and Jerry's! I have an affiate link for them (and the rest of the supplies) at Blick in the description of this video if you are interested! Thanks for watching!

[@piscesillustrations]

@@CautionArtistatPlay Thanks so much!

[@CautionArtistatPlay]

@piscesillustrations You are very welcome!

[@ChantelleArts]

.these look fantastic, might have to pick a couple of them ❤❤❤

[@CautionArtistatPlay]

🥰

[@charlotteboy6783]

Some of my new favorites for this year are neocolor crayons (1 and 2), which i like to use dry on the stonehenge black wc paper. I also embraced ink with watercolor this year, so using de atrementis ink in a fountain pen, with Jazper Stardust handmade watercolor and fabriano artistico paper. Also found a weird combo of supracolor watercolor pencil on white pastelmat paper. Ill put inkense pencils as my 10th supply.🎉

[@CautionArtistatPlay]

Thanks for sharing your favorites! Ooh yes, the Neocolor 1's and 2's are some of my all-time favorites, too! I agree. They do work great on the Stonehenge watercolor paper! Inktense is another that I could have on my list year after year! I have been curious about trying the Caran d'Ache Supracolors, but I also have my eye on their Museum Aquarelle pencils to try. I have never heard of the Jazper Stardust handmade watercolors, I am definitely going to have to check that out! I have also been thinking about getting into using fountain pens. Is the de atrementis ink archival?

[@clairewalters8238]

❤carbon black is DEFINATELY archival and readily available. ❤

[@cazkiwinz4300]

I use both Carbon Black and De Atramentis Document Black in my fountain pens! Don’t be scared, they don’t clog up… my Lamy’s and other FPS are still fine after 2+ years … with lots of months also sitting around doing nada with them…

[@aineli1119]

Nice sweatshirt!

[@CautionArtistatPlay]

Thank you! It's from tentree!

[@Mostlymid]

And there they are, the very first thing on the list, my very favorite art supply of all time, PITT PENS! I've loved India inks since I was first introduced to them in high school and the FC Pitt Pens are the most versatile form of that medium. Thanks for the video 😊

[@CautionArtistatPlay]

I agree! They are fantastic and versatile! I love that they have come out with new products, giving us even more ways to use them! Thank you for watching! 💖

[@Art_by_Nicole]

I have bought a lot of supplies this year. I caught myself thinking in a store, while looking at art supplies: ‘I’ve got that one, that brand, this brand sucks, this and that I love.’ I realised: I sound awful! So spoiled! 😳🥴 And I was so busy with colours (studying, trying, hurting my hands, try again) that I only made one whole piece with graphite 😱 I want to learn realism in colour and I learn the best by tutorial. I tried so many times on my own, but I just can’t do it. And now I have all kinds of supplies and I am only more confused which to use 😵‍💫 I vote for Shana as a teacher 😬😁

[@CautionArtistatPlay]

Thank you, Nicole! I feel the same way when I go shopping. I feel so blessed to have so many supplies. There was a time in my life when I could barely afford basic living expenses. Of course, you can get a lot done, with very few supplies, so having a lot isn't necessary. I just love trying new things, so it's hard to resist! Sadly, tutorials don't do all that well on the channel anymore. I am thinking seriously of getting my Patreon up and running, if I can gain enough interest!

[@Art_by_Nicole]

@@CautionArtistatPlay I won’t pretend that I couldn’t afford basic living expenses, but when I was a little girl my parents had very hard Financial periods of time. So at first I was afraid to buy something for myself. I still buy a lot (!) of stuff second hand; I love Vinted for art supplies 😬 Nowadays I still don’t buy something completely new for myself. Instead, I think of loved ones first. Most of the money goes to our son with special needs. Such a pitty that he doesn’t like colouring with his mom 😅

[@CautionArtistatPlay]

@Art_by_Nicole I understand that for sure, I don't come from money. Even now, we don't have an overabundance. I use the money I make from art to get my supplies and save up for really big investments. We use the money from my day job and his job for bills. We don't have children, though, just fur babies. So, if we do splurge here or there, we don't feel as guilty.

[@loati94]

Im hoping to save and get the 20 portrait set of luminance. They look like a nice range of natural colors to complement my polychromos Maybe it only is because of the artists I personally follow, but I've been noticing that in the end, after the hyped has fallen down a bit, people use the luminance more than the lightfast. I often see artists use polychromos combined with luminance

[@CautionArtistatPlay]

Yeah, the Luminance are definitely a classic favorite for a lot of the artists I watch, too. Although, I personally find myself reaching for the Derwent Lightfast more, mainly because of habit at this time. That may change at some point, though. I go back and forth with my favorite brands and often combine them in one piece. I need to do a video on the 20 portrait set soon so I can integrate them in with the rest of my stash, lol.

[@cazkiwinz4300]

I want the Portrait set too… but they’re $160 NZD… I just can’t bring myself to spend that yet… I think Polychromos are expensive at $3.50 a pencil… but $8? Ouch…. The DDP are boss tho… LOVEEE them!

[@CautionArtistatPlay]

Bummer! That is too bad. It's crazy how pricy supplies can be and how much the price varies from place to place!

[@nancyloomis3046]

I use that stay-wet pallet for gouache and I've had no mold issues. I have some Holbein gouache...would like to have more, but with the price, I hold off.

[@CautionArtistatPlay]

I'm glad you haven't experienced any molding! I have seen a couple of videos where other artists have. I'm glad I haven't run into that issue! Holbein is my favorite when it comes to gouache and many other things. They are pricy but put out great products!

[@SmillyDonut]

I haven't made a lot of art for myself this year, so I don't have a ton of favourites for the year, but I've been really enjoying coloured pencils for sketching and quickly getting colour notes in. Hoping to get myself some artist grade pencils next year. I've also been really enjoying using a smaller sketchbook for planning out art ideas and such, so my 6x8 hardback Art Advantage sketchbook has become a fave for the year. And pencil tins. I've been really liking having tins to keep my coloured pencils in. I much prefer having the flat open space as opposed to a floppy pencil case and I've begun to prefer have them out of the boxes that my pencils come in. I think those are the supplies I've been really enjoying this year.

[@CautionArtistatPlay]

I agree when it comes to the floppy pencil cases! I much prefer a tin or wooden drawers for them! It is so much easier to grab colors! I have been really into my sketchbook this year too, the one I am working in is larger than the last one I did, so it poses some unique challenges. I think next sketchbook I am going to go back to a smaller one again. I will likely go back and forth between large and small. I'm glad you have found some time to work in the sketchbook, even if you haven't had a chance to do larger, more finished pieces! What kind of paper does the Art Advantage sketchbook have in it?

[@SmillyDonut]

@@CautionArtistatPlay I want a wood drawer set for my oil pastels so badly. The Art Advantage is a thicker sketch paper, but it handles dry media pretty well for planning out ideas and such, as well as, thicker applications of gouache. It feels less precious than my Canson XL Pad so I use it more and it's locally available at the art store so I like it for those reasons. It's also a pretty thick book - lots of pages - so I don't have to worry about running out too quickly. The only mild issue is that the paper has two sides so some spreads have a texture and some are smooth, but I just use the smoother spreads for pen and notes and the more textured ones for my other media.

[@CautionArtistatPlay]

Hmm...that's good to know! Thank you, I will have to look into that when I am in the market for a new sketchbook! The wooden pastel drawers are great, I use them for my colored pencils and oil pastels. They can be kind of pricy depending on where you get them, but they are sturdy. They really come in handy!

[@SmillyDonut]

@@CautionArtistatPlay You're welcome. If you do get the sketchbook I hope you like them. It's 75 lb, acid free paper.

[@CautionArtistatPlay]

Thanks for the info! 💖

[@teresamazotti1315]

Awesome!! ❤ The only thing I am not a fan of is the Luminense Pencils. I find them scratchy and difficult to blend. Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

[@CautionArtistatPlay]

I have that issue with one of their brown pencils! I can't remember the specific color name at the moment. But other than that, so far, I haven't noticed an issue with the other colors that I have. *Knock on wood.* Happy Thankagiving you too! ❤️

[@Keroppi69]

@@CautionArtistatPlaylet me guess… Cassel Earth??

[@CautionArtistatPlay]

That does sound familiar! I take it you had the same issue?

[@nancyloomis3046]

I've used Micron fine liners some, but my faves are the Molotow black liner pens, but they are on the high side. They have a .05, smaller than 1.0 or .5...gives an almost hairline line. Maybe Micron offers that super small size? Not sure.

[@CautionArtistatPlay]

I like the Molotow black liners too! They are fun one to work with for sure! I'm not sure how small the Microns get, I only just started using them again recently, so I haven't looked too far into it.

[@grahamekellermeier8280]

Artist quality is expensive at Xmas bought a set of 100 lightfast, 100 Inktense, 72 cromaflow didn't get much change from a thousand dollars Australian.

[@CautionArtistatPlay]

Yes! They really are expensive! Some of the prices are really out there!

[@scottmantooth8785]

*fantastic review of supplies...i use a lot to things with my texturing and distressing techniques...such as the Brusho Crystal Colours but i've also found that Rit fabric dye crystals also provide some unique shades as well if used carefully...they are also a LOT cheaper... another question to ponder...what watercolor paper cardstock would you recommend for printing AI generated art?...i ask because i've gotten fairly good at writing the prompts that assemble some really good images...granted my prompts are more akin to geeky word salad but then i do have a wonky left handed dyslexic brain...it would be interesting to see how one might paint over an ai art images to make it more impressionistic...just a thought...*

[@CautionArtistatPlay]

Thanks, Scott! I have used Strathmore 400 series mixed media paper in my printer before with fairly good results. I also like Hammermill card stock, which is made for printing. I think Epson also makes paper that is supposed to be like watercolor paper, but that's probably a bit pricier. I think a cheap 90-140lb hot pressed watercolor paper would probably do the trick! Something that wouldn't be too thick for the printer, but thick enough to allow a bit of layering with traditional supplies after.

[@scottmantooth8785]

*thanks...i'll add those to the eventual supply list*@@CautionArtistatPlay

[@CautionArtistatPlay]

You're welcome!

[@Art_by_Nicole]

Hi! I know your were asking the question to Shana, but last week I tried hotpressed watercolourpaper for the first time for Inktense pencils and I was amazed by the paper. It isn’t very heavy so a good printer can easily take this paper. It is called: Hahnemüller - watercolour hotpressed. It wasn’t very expensive either, but it also depends on where you live. Prismacolor is pretty pricey for me in Europe and Polychromos is pretty expensive in the States. I think this also applies for paper.

[@CautionArtistatPlay]

I agree! It really does depend on where you are! I will definitely have to check out that paper! Thank you!

[@PunjabiHumanitarian]

Prices for most art supplies, especially those that make the "artist grade" list, are absolutely ridiculous and not at all justified! I used to work for a brand...they marked up the prices by nearly 2000%...which means a pencil that sells for $5 cost them less than 0.25¢ to make

[@CautionArtistatPlay]

Henestly, that does not surprise me at all. Sadly, that's how the world seems to work these days!

[@grandmasparkles58]

While the base cost of the materials to make something may be very low, the cost of overhead is not. Think wages, electricity, heating, water, rent/mortgage, waste removal, insurances, taxes, etc. All those costs get figured into the end price of every product made.

[@CautionArtistatPlay]

Very good point!

[@ladyinblack3398]

In Germany I bought Faber Castell Polychromos wood boxed set for 215.00 Euros in 2019. Here in the US they are asking $750.00 on the Faber Castell site. Absolutely greedy moon prices and absolutely not justified. And in Germany that includedx19% vat. Just say no! Directly and don't be shy to let the retailers know why you are not buying something. I have learned time over in my life that you will get what you want if you are just patient enough and you don't have to give in to audacious greed.

[@CautionArtistatPlay]

Everything has gone up here in the U.S. too. The inflation is wild! People are struggling, yet companies are making record profits! It's really crazy to think about.