Are you an artist? Do you know someone who is? Here’s a catalog of some of my absolute FAVORITE materials that I find myself buying again and again, complete with Amazon links. Think of it as an all-in-one Gift Giving Guide for yourself or an artist you hold near and dear. Got some questions? Feel free to message me through my Instagram account!

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Level: Beginner to Expert

Why I Love Them: These opaque, water-based paint markers are insanely versatile—perfect for sketchbooks, murals, wood, glass, canvas, clothes, you name it. They dry matte and layer beautifully without smudging or bleeding.

Great For: Artists of all levels. Beginners will love how mess-free and easy they are to control, while advanced artists can take advantage of the full range of nib sizes and colors for detailed work, blending, or mixed media pieces.

Pro Tip: Shake well and press the nib to get the paint flowing! I like to layer them over acrylics or use them on dark paper for a bold pop.

Level: Beginner to Expert

Why I Love It: This isn’t your average craft glue gun—it’s cordless, fast-heating, and runs on Ryobi’s rechargeable ONE+ battery system, so you can use the same battery you already have for other Ryobi tools, (or your boyfriend can offer you the drill battery he keeps in his work truck when yours suddenly dies, Thank you Will!! and thank you for buying me the glue gun!!). I use it for everything from mixed media art and sculpture assembly to quick repairs. It’s super portable and powerful, making it one of my favorite behind-the-scenes tools.

Great For: Artists and makers of all levels. Beginners will appreciate how simple and safe it is to use, while experienced creatives will love the flexibility and heavy-duty feel for larger builds or intricate work.

Pro Tip: Keep a stash of glue sticks nearby—this thing moves fast. You can even opt to use high-temp sticks for a strong hold, especially when working with textured or nonporous surfaces.

Level: Beginner to Expert

Why I Love Them: I bought this exact case back in 2019, and despite hot gluing everything under the sun since then... I still haven’t run out. These glue sticks are crystal clear (no yellow tint!) and bond beautifully to everything from fabric and plastic to wood and metal. It’s a serious must-have if you glue like I do.

Great For: All levels—from casual crafters to daily glue gun warriors. If you’re doing a lot of creative builds, sculpture, mixed media, or DIY repairs, this bulk case is a game-changer.

Pro Tip: Store them in a dry container to keep them from getting dusty or warped. I always pair them with my Ryobi cordless glue gun for smooth, clean melts and long-lasting bonds.

Level: Intermediate to Expert

Why I Love Them: Copics are alcohol-based markers that blend like butter and come in a huge range of rich, refillable colors. The dual tips—a flexible brush and a chisel—make them perfect for both fine details and broad strokes.

Great For: Intermediate artists ready to level up their coloring game, and experts who want total control over blending, shading, and layering. They’re a little pricey for beginners, but totally worth the investment once you’re comfortable with marker techniques.

Pro Tip: Use smooth, marker-friendly paper (like Bristol or Copic paper) to avoid bleed-through and streaking. I usually layer light to dark and keep a colorless blender nearby to soften transitions or fix mistakes.

Level: Beginner to Expert

Why I Love Them: These high-quality fineliners are waterproof, fade-proof, and Copic-safe—meaning they won’t smudge when you color over them with alcohol markers. I use them to outline my Copic marker drawings, especially when I want that crisp, clean linework that doesn’t budge.

Great For: Artists at any level. Beginners will appreciate how easy they are to control, while pros love the variety of nib sizes for precision in technical drawing, illustrations, comics, and more.

Pro Tip: Let the ink dry for a few seconds before coloring to prevent any smearing. I usually go for the 01 or 03 nib for outlines and the 005 for delicate details like hair or textures.

Level: Beginner to Expert

Why I Love Them: These are my go-to for crisp white highlights—whether I’m adding sparkle to a Copic drawing or finishing off a charcoal portrait with a tiny pop of contrast. The opaque white ink sits on top of the surface instead of blending in, which makes it perfect for final touches.

Great For: All levels. Beginners can use them to add easy shine or texture without messing up the base, while more advanced artists will appreciate their control over subtle detail work.

Pro Tip: The 10 size is the most opaque, but I like the 05 and 08 for finer details. For textured papers (like with charcoal), I warm up the ink by scribbling on my finger first to get it flowing.

Level: Intermediate to Expert

Why I Love It: This 2-part epoxy clay is a dream for sculpting fine details, customizing figures, or adding textured, 3D elements to mixed media art. It air-dries rock-hard, adheres to pretty much any surface, and doesn’t shrink or crack. I love using it when I want something durable that I can sand, carve, or paint once it cures.

Great For: Intermediate artists and up. It’s easy to learn, but because it sets in about 2–3 hours, you’ll need some planning and confidence with shaping. Perfect for sculpture, jewelry, prop-making, or even customizing canvases.

Pro Tip: Keep your tools and fingers damp while working—water smooths everything beautifully. I usually mix only as much as I need for one sculpting session to avoid waste (and panic).

Level: Beginner to Intermediate

Why I Love It: This compact watercolor set is perfect for sketching on the go. It comes with vibrant pan colors, a super cool refillable water brush, and a built-in mixing tray—all tucked into a portable little case. Easy to bring on hikes, road trips, or when you just want to paint outside without carrying a ton of supplies.

Great For: Beginners who want to experiment with watercolor without committing to a huge setup, and intermediates who want a travel-friendly kit that still delivers great color payoff.

Pro Tip: Use light pressure with the brush to control flow, and bring a small rag or paper towel to dab and lift color when needed. I also pre-wet a few pans before starting for smoother pigment pickup.

That’s all for now! I hope you found this list helpful, and don’t forget to check back in the future for more of my favorite supplies.