8 essentials for your art kit

Starting up an art kit can be quite the daunting task. With all of the different colouring mediums, bases to add the colour to, tools and so much more, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and worry about where to start. But don’t panic! We’ve put this handy blog post together, which will help you to put together a basic art kit.

Of course, there are lots of different disciplines under the art umbrella, so we’ve tried to make this list as generic as possible, but if you’d like something specific, maybe for watercolouring or calligraphy, let us know!

1. Watercolour card

Don’t be fooled by the name, this card isn’t just for watercolouring. It’s an absolute essential for anyone who will be using any sort of water-based medium. Watercolour card is strong at 300gsm and has the perfect thickness to withstand repeated blending, mixing and re-working without bleeding or tearing. With 15 sheets of card in one pack, it can help you to create your very own gallery in no time at all.

2. Stamping card

Again, don’t take the name at face value – this is a pack of card that’s perfect for a whole host of projects! Stamping card isn’t great with water-based products, but it’s absolutely fantastic at working with alcohol-based products, such as markers, inks or inkpads. With that in mind, it’s great for stamping, but it’s also brilliant for colouring, creating panels for cardmaking and so much more.

3. Blending tools

There is nothing quite like creating a seamlessly buffed and blended piece of artwork, which is something that can be achieved with the Spectrum Noir Blending Tools. These fabulous little guys feature a foam pad and a wooden handle to help you layer and blend colours from a range of mediums on a variety of surfaces. They’re absolutely perfect for blending inks together and you’ll be amazed at just how flawless of a blend they can build.

4. Craft mat

A good, solid base is key for every artist, so a craft mat definitely needs to be on your list. The Spectrum Noir mat is non-slip and heat resistant, so it’s ideal for a range of crafts, not just art! It’s perfect for stamping on to, blending and so much more.

5. Brushes

It goes without saying that every good art kit needs a stash of brushes. Not only are brushes ideal for painting, but they can also be used with gilding wax, adhesives, stencils and so much more. We stock both synthetic and hog hair brushes for a range of tasks, all designed to provide you with a smooth application and blend. They really are a stroke of genius!

6. Storage

While having a huge art kit is a lot of fun, you’ll need somewhere to store it all! For large amounts of markers or inkpads, try out the Spectrum Noir Universal Carry Bag, or for taking a select amount of markers on the go with you, try the Spectrum Noir 24 Marker Wallet. For storage at home, you can try the Inkpad Storage Trays or the Universal Black Pen Trays. There so many options to choose from, so take a look and see what’s best for you.

7. Spectrum Noir Alcohol Re-inkers

You may think that the Spectrum Noir Alcohol Re-inkers are only good for refilling your marker pens, but these little pots of joy have so much more to offer, which is why they’ve made it on to our essentials list. These inks can create incredible permanent effects on paper, card, glass, plastic, acetate, wood, textiles and so much more! They can be brushed, dripped, sprtized or poured for a multitude of looks.

8. Misters

Misters aren’t something that immediately jump to mind when you’re thinking about how to start up an art kit, but they’re an extremely useful tool to have! They can be used to create speckled effects or to spray over wet colour, but they’re also brilliant for mixing your own colour blends and spraying directly on to a variety of surfaces.

We hope that this post has helped you to choose some products for your brand new art kit, but if you have any other questions, ask us on Facebook UK, Facebook USA,  Twitter, Instagram UK, Instagram US, Pinterest UK or Pinterest US using the hashtag #crafterscompanion. Be sure to show us your die-cutting projects too!