Keep Art Supplies on Hand
I feel it is important to keep art supplies on hand. When you or your child feel the creativity bug come along it is nice to just go to the supply bin, drawer, or closet to find what you need. Many parents aren’t sure what supplies to buy. So, I made a list of supplies that might come in handy for parents, grandparents, teachers or homeschoolers.
I divided the list by age group. Keeping these supplies on hand will support your child’s creativity. You don’t have to run out and buy every supply on the list. You can start accumulating the supplies gradually so as not to hurt your pocketbook too badly. You may have many of these supplies already.
K- 4th Grade:
2 – #2 pencils (I don’t like mechanical pencils for drawing because you can’t shade with them very well. The lead breaks!)
1 hand held pencil sharpener
1 eraser – pink pearl
1 package of 12 colored pencils
1 package of crayons
1 package of 8 – colored markers – washable classic colors
1 – 8 color watercolor set with paintbrush. My favorite student grade brand is Prang, but Crayola works well also. Some people buy glitter paints, but that limits what you can do with them. Go with the basic blue, red, yellow, green, orange, purple, and black. You can buy the glitter or different colors in addition to the basic colors if you wish.
glue stick
scissors
computer paper for drawing
Drawing paper 9″ x 12″ for larger projects – acid free, 50 lb.
1 package of Colored Construction Paper – 9″ x 12″
1 ruler
5th – 8th Grade:
Same supplies as K – 4th grade with one exception.
Get 1 package of 12 oil pastels instead of crayons.
Plus:
1 – kneaded eraser
1 – Bottle of Glue
1 – Spiral Bound Sketchbook – 8.5″ x 11″ or larger – acid free – 70 lb. paper or higher
1 – Sketchbook – 18″ x 24″ – acid free, 70 lb. paper of higher
Watercolor Paper – acid free, 90 lb. – 9″ x 12″ – 12 sheets
1 – drawing board (A piece of masonite from the hardware store will work nicely – 18″ x 24″ is a good size.)
9th – 12th Grade:
Same supplies as K – 4th and 5th – 8th.
Get package of 24 colored pencils instead of 12. For really good quality, I would go with Prismacolor. They are expensive though. You can buy a few Prismacolor pencils individually just to try out. If colored pencil isn’t your child’s thing then buy the cheaper brand.
Plus:
Synthetic Paintbrushes for watercolors:
Rounds – #12, #8, #4
Flat – 3/4″
Watercolor Paper – acid free, 140 lb. – 9″ x 12″ – 12 sheets
2 large sheets of watercolor paper – 22″ x 30″ (Sold as individual sheets)
masking tape
1 – package of 12 watercolor pencils
1 – package of 12 soft pastels
1 – black marker – permanent ink
There are many supplies that I could add to the list but it would seem endless. I did not list acrylic or oil paints. Getting those types of paints would require many other supplies in addition. If your child wants to upgrade with watercolors in a tube instead of the pan paint, start out with a yellow, blue and red. Those three colors are the primary colors. Your child can mix most colors needed with just those three. I do not suggest using any white watercolor paint.