The Best Art Supplies for Professional Artists Pursuing Excellence
May 30, 2022
This amazing list of art supplies for professionals comes directly from an expert artist! To become a master painter, start here.
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“I believe in getting the best equipment available and then taking care of it. You end up saving money in the long run.” – Gary Savage
This ultimate list of professional art supplies is the best free resource available. Whether you are a new or an accomplished artist, you will find helpful recommendations.
The suggestions included are highly trusted by fine art gallery professionals. When you deal with fine art, quality matters. That is why we knew just who to ask when it comes to being persnickety about art supplies. Each item has been selected by Gary Savage, an artist with decades of experimentation and hyperawareness.
Achieve excellence by adding these items to your arsenal.
PROFESSIONAL ART SUPPLIES LIST
What art supplies do professional artists use?
Here is the complete ‘Savage-Approved’ art supplies list for professional artists pursuing excellence.
These art supplies for drawing will elevate the quality and execution of your sketches.
Inspiration doesn’t always come from within, sometimes it comes from the satisfying feeling you get when you know you are working with the best tools available. Therefore, the following curated drawing supplies will contribute to a level of greatness that will accompany your skillset. Enjoy our professional recommendations below.
MARKERS
Molotow Acrylic Paint Markers
Artist Commentary: “These are the best paint pens! They’re made in Germany and of excellent quality. Since they are filled with acrylic ink that can be used in many different techniques. I use them on canvas along with acrylic paint. I love the wide range of colors that are available and also the replacement nibs.”
STAEDTLER Lumocolor Watersoluble Marker
Artist Commentary: “You can add another technique for sketching by combing a water brush pen with either or the pencils. It opens up the creative process… add the Prismacolor watercolor pencil set and you’ll be painting as you draw.”
Artist Commentary: “I take these everywhere I go. I like to clip one into the spiral Canson paper sketchbook. These pens are very well made and perfect for very accurate and detailed ink drawings.”
INDIA INK PENS
Manga Cartoon Comic Drawing Painting Kit
Higgins Waterproof Black India Ink
Artist Commentary: “At a very young age I found inspiration from Popeye, Mickey Mouse, Looney Tunes, Hanah Barbera, and Woody the Woodpecker, so I began drawing in ink. Start with dip pens and a crow quill, which is a tin size nib. Also, you’ll need a series 7 Windsor Newton brush with a bottle of ink.”
Artist Commentary: “Conte of Paris Pierre Noir is the blackest pencil I have ever found. Adding Conte pencils to your drawing kit is a must. Sepia, sanguine, and black and white Conte pencils are an exquisitely balanced palette for drawing the old master’s way.
Graphite Pencils
General’s Charcoal Kit
Artist Commentary: “I began my art career as a very young boy. My grandfather was also an artist and he gave me my first Generals charcoal pencils. I remember wearing one 6b extra soft on my ear where I went… I use them still. Excellent quality.”
Koh-i-Noor Gioconda Negro Aquarelle
Mechanical Pencils
Artist Commentary: “Your pencils are always sharp when you’re using mechanical pencils. Mechanical pencils are great for details and small spaces, making thumbnails of ideas for paintings and jotting down ideas. I like to use .5 and .7 lead sizes and 6B graphite that is very soft and dark. Here are some good brands for pencils.”
rOtring 800 Retractable Mechanical Pencil, 0.5 mm, Black Barrel (1904447)
rOtring 1904444 600 Mechanical Pencil, 0.7 mm, Silver Barrel
Artist Commentary: “All of these pencils are really good and it’s great to have many sizes and styles from the major brands. However, the bottom line is that if I had to clean out everything except for two mechanical pencils, I’d keep my Rotring, .5 and .7.”
Colored Pencils
Prismacolor Colored Pencils
Artist Commentary: “Prismacolor Pencils are exceptionally high quality. They provide brilliant colors and artist-quality pigments. They can be used together for creating a variety of textures and mixed media techniques. I use both for studies drawn and painted on heavy weight Canson paper in a spiral-bound hard cover sketch book.”
Paasche Airbrush Kit with Anodized Aluminum Handle
Artist Commentary: “The Model H, single-action is the best airbrush. It’s really interesting that this is the original design by Paasche and it’s been around forever and is still the best. I have a dozen airbrushes, but the simple H is what I stick with. It is easy to use, it doesn’t clog, and a really great kit for $60.”
Artist Commentary: “The combination of a few really good Da Vinci brushes along with some royal Langnickles should be all you need to get started.”
DA VINCI
Da Vinci Oil & Acrylic Series 4221 Top Acryl Long-Handled Paint Brush Set
Da Vinci 7105-16 Oil & Acrylic Series 7105 Impasto Paint Brush, Flat Extra Stiff White Synthetic, Size 16
Da Vinci Watercolor Series – CosmoTop Spin Brush Set 5231-4 Brush Set – Multi-Diameter Synthetic Fibers
Artist Commentary: “Be sure to check that it’s the Da Vinci brand made in Germany. I love this brand! The brushes are really great and versatile. The flat brush is extra stiff and you have great control over the paint.”
CONDA
Conda Fine Detail Paint Brush Set – 12 Miniature Brushes for Detailing & Art Painting – Acrylic, Watercolor, Oil
ROYAL AND LANGNICKEL
Royal and Langnickel Crafter’s Choice Flat Taklon Variety Brush Set
Royal & Langnickel, Zen Series 74 Set of 5 Brushes
Majestic Royal and Langnickel Short Handle Paint Brush Set, Detail
Artist Commentary: “Langnickle has a long history in fine art brushes. They shifted to economical craft brushes that are a great value, really good quality for the price.”
