The Art Supplies I Actually Use: My Amazon Favorites & Things I Actually Love

I love art supplies. Unfortunately for my bank account, I also love trying new art supplies.

But there’s a difference between something I bought because the internet convinced me I needed it and something that has earned permanent real estate on my desk.

These are the supplies, tools, and random little things I actually use while painting, filming content, homeschooling, and generally attempting to keep my creative life from becoming one giant pile of watercolor paper and misplaced paintbrushes.

This post will be updated periodically as I purchase new things and compare them to the old. I will be highlighting the updates as they happen.

On My Paint Table

Watercolor is what I reach for most, especially when I’m painting pet portraits and animals.

You’ll usually find Winsor & Newton or Daniel Smith Paints with my Princeton Aqua Elite brushes and more watercolor paper than one person reasonably needs.

I’m picky about supplies, but I’m not interested in telling people they need the most expensive version of everything to make good art. I like tools that work, hold up to regular use, and don’t make me angry halfway through painting a dog ear.

Here is my current list of a few favorites on my paint table as of July 2026.

• Artify Paint Brush Set

I used this brush set prior to getting the Princeton brushes, and honestly I still do for brush sizes and styles that I haven’t gotten from the Princeton set (…yet.)

For the price point of around $30 for the set and the case they come in, you shouldn’t under estimate them. They are really good brushes if you are getting started in watercolor paintings and learning techniques, so they definitely have earned a spot on my paint table.

• Princeton Aqua Elite Watercolor Brushes

I received these brushes from my husband for my birthday this year because I wanted something that could hold enough water without turning into floppy noodles. I have round brushes in sizes 4, 8, 10, and 12, and they have become my everyday brushes for animal portraits.

The larger brushes are especially good for backgrounds and washes, while the smaller sizes handle tiny details.

The price point of these brushes range from roughly $7 to $30 per brush, the smaller sizes. My budget friendly recommendation would definitely be to start with the size 6 or 8 and then add to your collection.

• Royal & Langnickel Watercolor Tube Paint

Most watercolor artists will likely not recommend cheap paints, but I believe this set to be perfect, especially if you are just getting started or are skeptical about the price point of the better quality paints. These paints would also be wonderful for a child or teen interested in learning how to paint with watercolor.

As an artist, I will recommend these paints with one caveat ——you do have to layer quite a bit and you will use a lot more paint to achieve the same look that you would with better quality paints if you are creating something to sell.

• Winsor & Newton Cotman Tube Paint Set

This paint set was my upgrade, and so far I will tell you that this is absolutely worth it. The colors these paint produce are so bright and pigmented. Color mixtures do not turn out muted and dull. The washes they produce on paper are absolutely wonderful. And their price over all is not too much to make your wallet cry.

These are still artist grade paints, so they are definitely not the market’s best, but they still create beautiful, professional quality paints.

• Strathmore Watercolor Paper

There are so many watercolor paper selections out there. Arches cold press is the golden standard for paper. Strathmore is likely in the rankings for the many second bests out there and is the majority of what my paintings are on. I find the price point and the quality of the paper to be perfect for my style of painting.

Much of my style of artwork does not flood the paper, so I can not honestly speak to that. I can say that it does not tear when I remove my tape around the edges and it does not seem to crumple itself into a pringle like some of the lesser quality brands.

The Stuff That Makes Filming Easier & Digital Art Products I Will Never Throw Away

Creating art is one thing.

Trying to create art while also filming yourself creating art is an entirely different circus.

A good phone mount, descent lighting, and a few simple pieces of equipment make a huge difference when I’m filming painting videos, tutorials, or clips from my desk.

For my digital art projects, a sturdy angled case for my ipad, an apple pencil pro, paper feeling screen protectors, and apple pencil tips are always my go tos.

I can’t really compare and contrast one brand against the other, but here is the list of items I am currently using.

Digital Art Items

• Zugu Case

I have been obsessed with this case since the day I got it in the mail. First of all I love the simplicity of this case. It is thin, yet sturdy.

My ipad is the 13 inch Ipad Pro (M4).

The case is magnetic and each angle gives you the ability to draw with a comfort level that is fit for you.

The back magnet will adhere to metal surfaces which also allows you to attach your ipad to display it.

And let’s talk about the magnets of this case —— they are STRONG. There is never any slippage what-so-ever.

If you are in search of a case that supports your wrist and doesn’t require your ipad to lay flat on the table, this is one you shouldn’t live without.

• Apple Pencil Pro & Apple Pencil Tips

I am an Apple junkie. It goes without saying that I would need these items when drawing digitally.

• Paper Feeling Screen Protector

Digital drawing on the texture of glass feels like washing windows with an oily noodle. It’s just not for me.

So this is what I have used and the brand that seems to last the longest.

Capturing Art Process & Filming

• Moft Phone Tripod Stand

This thing lives on the back of my phone. I use it for my TikTok Lives, when I need a bit more distance in a selfie, to let me record process from multiple lower angles.

I have had mine for well over a year and it has never failed me.

• Desk Ring Light

I enjoy the phone mount in the center of a ring light. This one stays balanced, the lighting does not flicker (some other brands do), and if I’m being honest, I bought it for the price point. I didnt’t need something tall or moveable, I just needed something that worked.

• Overhead Camera Mount with Lighting

For my pet portrait watercolor tutorials and Lives, this one has kept my artwork well lit. it stays in place where I put it and seems to hold my my phone with no issues. I enjoy the flexible straight elbow that does not sway after it is put in place. I also like that it I can bend it down and mostly out of my way when I am finished with using it.

• Fuzzy Bluetooth Mic

Most of my content is created as voice overs, and I feel like people prefer a crisp, clean voice when they are learning new things or communicating with someone. This mic has done all that I could ever want and at under $10 I was not going to pass it up.

Homeschool Things That Earn Their Keep

Because my art supplies and homeschool supplies live under the same roof, naturally there is some overlap.

Markers disappear.

Paper gets stolen.

My children are both fighting over the exact pencil I was just using.

So I always keep a few of our favorite homeschool and creative supplies linked here. There are things we generally use at home for lessons, art projects, and keeping small humans occupied long enough for me to finish painting one pore layer.

As far as homeschooling curriculum recommendations go…they deserve their own post in my Studio Notes.

This is my supplies and extras I use in our homeschooling “classroom” (aka our dining room table) list.

• Educational Games: Monopoly Jr., Uno, Zingo, Guess Who and Connect 4 are a few of our favorites to “play” during our

• Textile Items: pencil grips, whiteboards with handwriting lines, play money, counters, etc.

• Science Kits: There are so many science kits that I generally combo with lessons.

• Local Museums & Festivals: As a West Virginian native, the culture here is rich in music, storytelling, craftsmanship, self-sufficiency, food, and neighborly love. Learning and celebrating the place you live is an important part of being involved within the community.

I am a strong believer that not all learning happens behind four walls. Experiencing life, being kind, loving fully, and creating a safe space to educate children in accordance to their needs is the best way to keep children in love with learning.

Random Things I Love

Not everything needs an entire category. Sometimes I buy something, use it constantly, and immediately start telling everyone else about it.

Those things live here, too.

• Clothing Hauls: seasonal clothing favorites

• Make-Up Must Haves:

• Home Decor:

• Organizational Options:

These are simply things I could never live without.

A Quick Note About My Links

Some of the links on this page may be affiliate links, which means, I may receive a small commission if you purchase something through them at no cost to you.

I only share products I actually use, genuinely like, or think are worth showing you. If a product doesn’t show up here, I either have never used it or I don’t like it. Basically if it survives my paint table, my kids, my animals, or some combination of the three, it has earned its spot here.

Thank you for supporting my art, my content, and this wonderfully cluttered little corner of the internet.

Now, if you need me, I’ll be looking for the paint brush I was holding thirty seconds ago.