Journey Art Supplies Blog
Tips, Tricks, Thoughts, and inspiration from across the art spectrum.
Winter Plein Air Journaling Made Easy
The winter season may seem like the most inconvenient time for plein air journaling, especially in the mountains, where the temperatures have been exceedingly low this year. However, it can be the most exciting time of the year for wonderful, paintable scenes.
Winter Plein Air Journaling Made Easy
The winter season may seem like the most inconvenient time for plein air journaling, especially in the mountains, where the temperatures have been exceedingly low this year. However, it can...
How to Make DIY Christmas Cards with Goof Proof...
"Ah, Christmas! It’s that magical time of year when everything sparkles—tinsel, snow, and maybe even a little glitter from your last art project. For us, it’s also the perfect season to grab our favorite supplies and dive into making handmade Christmas cards. This year, we’re walking you through the process of creating festive cards with Cheap Joe’s Goof Proof Greeting Cards—an absolute game-changer for personalized holiday greetings. Why We Love Cheap Joe’s Goof-Proof Cards Let’s start with the star of the show: Cheap Joe's Goof-Proof Greeting Card Set - Deckled Edge, Box of 25. These beauties make creating custom cards a breeze. The set includes high-quality 5x7 card blanks with matching envelopes and, most importantly, cold-pressed watercolor paper inserts. That insert feature is a lifesaver—you don’t have to worry about messing up your design directly on the card itself. If a mistake happens, just redo the insert, attach it, and voilà—no one’s the wiser. Plus, the deckled edges give them that elegant, hand-touched vibe. The Koda Card: Our Festive Inspiration This year, we painted Koda, a regal Red Limousin bull that’s practically Christmas-ready in his rich red coat. We envisioned him pulling Santa’s sleigh (reindeer deserve a day off too, right?). The result? A whimsical, festive piece of artwork that’s personal and fun to share. But here’s our pro tip for long holiday card lists: “Paint One, Print Many.” Create one larger painting, snap a great photo, and have it printed to fit the card size. This way, everyone gets a handmade feel without you pulling all-nighters to paint dozens of cards. Step-by-Step Card Creation Gather Your SuppliesHere’s what we used to make our cards:• Tracing paper (Cheap Joe’s Starving Artist variety—budget-friendly and durable)• Carpenter’s pencil (ideal for transferring patterns)• Kilimanjaro 300lb Watercolor Block (no warping, even with heavy washes)• Kolinsky Sable Brush Set (luxurious, precise, and worth the investment)• Dr. Ph. Martin’s Hydrus Liquid Watercolors (vivid, concentrated, and just fun to use)• Master’s Watercolor Tray (perfect for mixing and keeping colors wet longer) Create Your PatternAfter printing a black-and-white photo of Koda for reference, I used tracing paper and my carpenter’s pencil to transfer the design onto my watercolor paper. A kneadable eraser helps lighten heavy graphite lines—great for keeping your work clean. Layer Your Watercolor WashesI started with a light base wash for Koda, then layered deeper tones to add dimension. Santa’s sleigh got its own bold red treatment, and I used a touch of Phthalo blue for snow shadows. The process is so satisfying—each layer makes the image pop a little more. Photo FinishOnce the painting dried, I photographed it in natural light (pro tip: overcast days work best). After tweaking the photo, I printed it to match the card size. Mounting it onto the Goof-Proof cards was easy with the included adhesive strips. Creative Ideas for Leftover Greeting Card Materials Got leftover materials? Here are a few bonus projects: Turn small scraps into bookmarks or gift tags. Create coloring pages for kids by outlining a festive design. Design mini paintings or magnets as keepsakes. Whether you’re painting reindeer, snowflakes, or a festive bull like Koda, Cheap Joe’s Goof-Proof Cards make the process joyful and, well, goof-proof. Plus, the recipients get a one-of-a-kind piece of art they’ll treasure long after the holidays. So, grab your brushes and let the holiday magic begin!
How to Make DIY Christmas Cards with Goof Proof...
"Ah, Christmas! It’s that magical time of year when everything sparkles—tinsel, snow, and maybe even a little glitter from your last art project. For us, it’s also the perfect season...
The Best Holiday Gifts for Artists
Are You Ready For The Rush? It happens every year at this time, as everyone is getting ready for the holidays, the pressure is on to find that perfect gift for that someone special.
The Best Holiday Gifts for Artists
Are You Ready For The Rush? It happens every year at this time, as everyone is getting ready for the holidays, the pressure is on to find that perfect gift for...
Best Stocking Stuffers for Artists
Are you still searching for the perfect stocking stuffers for artists in your life? Don’t worry! We’ve got you covered with thoughtful, practical, and fun gift ideas that any artist will appreciate. Whether they're seasoned pros or just getting started, these items are sure to inspire creativity all year round. Make Shopping for Your Favorite Artist Simple Shopping for artists doesn’t have to be complicated, especially when you shop at Cheap Joe’s. We’ve put together a wide selection of artist-approved tools, materials, and accessories that cater to every level of creativity, from beginners to pros. Whether you’re looking for practical supplies like brushes and palettes or unique finds like portable easels and travel art sets, we’ve got it all right here in one place. Plus, our team of art lovers is here to help you pick the perfect gift, so you can skip the guesswork and focus on spreading holiday cheer. With Cheap Joe’s, shopping for artists is simple, stress-free, and always inspiring! Here are a few of our favorite stocking stuffers for artists: Aprons and SmocksArt is messy—plain and simple. Help your favorite artist save their clothes with an apron or smock designed for painting, drawing, or sculpting. Look for ones with pockets for tools, so they can keep their brushes and pencils close at hand. We recommend the Cheap Joe’s Maker’s Crossback Aprons. Hand Protection and Clean-Up SuppliesPaint-stained hands and ink smudges are part of the creative process, but they don’t have to linger. Stock their stocking with artist-friendly hand soaps, barrier creams, or gloves to keep them clean and comfortable while they create. Check out the Marvelous Marianne's SavvySoap Hand and Brush Cleaner for starters. Brush and Tool StorageArtists always need help organizing their tools. A brush holder keeps brushes safe from damage. We recommend checking out our Cheap Joe’s Brush Holders, which are made from nylon and feature reinforced sides. You can also find sturdy pencil or marker cases to keep things tidy on the go. Portable PalettesFrom compact travel palettes to ceramic options for the studio, palettes are an artist’s must-have tool for mixing and blending colors. A fresh palette makes for an easy and appreciated stocking stuffer. The Portable Painter Watercolor Palette is a great choice. SketchbooksArtists can never have too many sketchbooks! Go for hardbound options like our American Journey Hardbound Sketchbooks and Watercolor Journal Set —they’re perfect for capturing ideas, doodles, or fully realized works on the go. Drawing Pencil SetsGift them a complete set of sketching pencils with various lead types, from soft to hard. This guarantees they’ll always have the perfect pencil for any project. The General's Kimberly Drawing Pencils - Set of 12 are an amazing choice, and they’re made in the U.S.A. Toss in a kneadable eraser for a bonus! Mini EaselsIf space is tight or they like to work on small-scale projects, our Cheap Joe’s Travel Table Easel is a fantastic gift. It’s compact, portable, and great for sketching, painting, or display. Lighting SolutionsGood lighting makes all the difference. A small, adjustable full-spectrum lamp fits nicely under the tree—or in a stocking! It reduces eye strain and ensures they see their colors and details accurately. We recommend the Daylight Smart Go LED Travel Lamp. Travel-Sized Art SuppliesWhether they’re plein air painters or urban sketchers, artists love compact tools. Think travel watercolor sets, mini brushes, or collapsible water containers for those who create on the go. The Da Vinci Watercolor Mixing Set In Travel Tin features paints that are permanent, with the highest tinting strength and pigment concentration available. Gift CardsLet’s face it—some artists are particular about their supplies. A Cheap Joe’s gift card lets them pick exactly what they need or want, making it the ultimate stress-free stocking stuffer. We have a Cheap Joe's Physical Gift Card and a Cheap Joe's E-Gift Card as well! Shop Cheap Joe’s for All Your Stocking Stuffer Needs When it comes to finding the perfect stocking stuffers for artists, we’ve got you covered. With a wide range of high-quality, artist-approved supplies and thoughtful gifts, we make it easy to find something that inspires creativity and fits snugly in a stocking. From practical tools like sketchbooks and palettes to innovative storage solutions and mess-proof gear, our collection is designed to delight creators of every skill level. This holiday season, let us help you fill stockings with gifts that spark joy and fuel artistic passion. From all of us at Cheap Joe’s, we wish you a merry and creative Christmas!
Best Stocking Stuffers for Artists
Are you still searching for the perfect stocking stuffers for artists in your life? Don’t worry! We’ve got you covered with thoughtful, practical, and fun gift ideas that any artist...
Easy DIY Watercolor Tree Holiday Cards
Think you don't have time this year to make special handmade holiday cards? We've got you covered with these quick and easy DIY watercolor Christmas tree cards
Easy DIY Watercolor Tree Holiday Cards
Think you don't have time this year to make special handmade holiday cards? We've got you covered with these quick and easy DIY watercolor Christmas tree cards
20 Stocking Stuffer Studio Staples
If you find yourself struggling to decide what to get the artist in your life this Christmas, we are eager to help with recommendations for gifts artists will love any time of the year, especially during the holidays. With Christmas quickly approaching, some of us may be trying to finish shopping for the perfect art stocking stuffers for our friends and family. Looking for gifts that will be appreciated and cherished by an artist may be a bit of a challenge, and that's why we wanted to share a few ideas with you! As artists, many of us tend to be very particular when it comes to choosing the materials we use. We usually know what brands of paint and brushes work best for us and what paper, canvas, or substrate we love to paint on, and we usually buy these materials for ourselves when we need them. This may make it feel as if purchasing a gift for us at Christmas is difficult, but Cheap Joe's will help make it easier for you to find a universal gift that works for almost every kind of artist. We’ve collected a list of practical stocking stuffers for artists. While these humble art supplies may not be the stars of the show, they’re the unsung heroes of the studio. Any artist will appreciate finding these in their stockings or as little extras within gifts this Christmas. Sketcher Strap - This simple contraption straps around a sketchbook and holds pens, pencils, markers, and brushes It’s an easy and inexpensive solution for carrying art supplies on the road. Brush Soap - This brush cleaner not only clean brushes but brings them back to life. If they don’t have some already, then encourage them to get in the habit of taking good care of their brushes. Cheap Joe’s Crossback Apron - An artist's apron that can house art supplies and protect their clothing is a simple but helpful art stocking stuffer that will save clothing and prevent unwanted stains. With so many pockets, it’s especially helpful for plein air painting. Alumicutter Ruler - We use these rulers often for cutting. It takes less effort to hold it in place than a thin cork-backed ruler, and the blade won’t skip over the protective barrier and hit their fingers. If you know, you know - every artist has an Xacto wound story! Xacto Gripster Knife - Xacto knives are ubiquitous in art studios, and the Gripster is the best version. The soft handle cover makes it soft on the fingers. But the best part is that the blade-tightening screw is at the end of the knife instead of at the grip, so they don’t inadvertently loosen the blade as they cut. Cheap Joe's Tube Wringers - Get every bit of paint out of that tube with these practical but pretty paint tube wringers. It saves money to save paint. The large turn key on these are easy on the fingers. (Plus, they’re made of durable metal – because we’d like to bring less plastic into the world). Works well for toothpaste too. Micron Sets - For writing, sketching, and making art, these fine felt tip points with fade-proof, waterproof ink are super useful and beloved by many artists. They’re one of the best drawing pens out there for detailed work. Thumbnailer Sketching Template - This stencil makes it easy to draw composition boxes in sketchbooks. The windows are sized to standard canvas and paper ratios so they can translate their composition study onto the right size canvas or paper without having to use math! Niji Premier Waterbrush Set - Brushes that have water in the handle are a sketching essential because they’re more portable than a brush and water container, and are simpler for sketchbook drawings. The design of these waterbrushes is a step up from the standard squeezable handle, with an easy-to-control water release button on the grip. Itoya Profolio Midtown Pouches - These small colorful pouches carry along a surprising amount of supplies to encourage a robust sketchbook practice. The divider is helpful for organizing the contents. Cheap Joe's Waterproof Dry Bag - While this bag is commonly used to keep water out, it can also be used to keep water in. For example, to keep leaky paint tubes and water containers from accidentally spilling into the rest of their art kit when they’re out and about. Magic Palette Color Matching Guide - This tool not only allows easy color and value identification to find just the right color to mix but can be used to preview how well a particular color intensity or value will work on works in progress. Stuffit Towel - You’ll often find artists with a towel in hand or nearby when working. Because they’re washable and reusable, these are more eco-friendly than using lots of paper towels. They start out the size of a hockey puck but expand to handtowel-size when moistened, which is just plain fun to watch. Itoya Hikigiri Scissors - These are the kind of scissors they’ll reach for often. They’re a sharp design with sharp blades that make it easy and pleasant to cut with precision. Bullet Pencil Sharpener - With a satisfying heft, ergonomic design, and sharp replaceable blades, this handheld pencil sharpener is a simple yet functional design that makes it easy to hold straight on the pencil, reducing accidentally broken points. Golden Gripr Tube Opener - Instead of chewing up stubborn paint tube caps with pliers or teeth, this paint tube opener grips stuck screwtops with ease. Its simple design fits multiple cap sizes and offers more leverage, preventing stuck cap and twisted tube rages. Canson XL Recycled Pocket Sketch Pad - We love the size of this chunky sketching pad. It has lots of sheets to encourage lots of sketches, and it’s super portable at only 3-1/2" x 5-1/2". The perfect palm-sized pad for dashing off ideas anywhere. Zig Glue Pens - Many artists like to paste inspirational clippings into their sketchbooks or use collage to plan compositions. Zig Glue pens offer more precision and less mess than glue sticks. The glue can be used as permanent or repositionable. Factis Pencil Eraser Stick - This pen-stye eraser is a huge help when sketching in a sketchbook where drawings are smaller so erasers need to be too. With its small tip, it can erase or blend with precision. Frixion Erasable Pens - These are a favorite with Cheap Joe’s staff for both writing and sketching. They offer the clarity and cleanliness of a pen with the reversibility of a pencil. Plus, the ink doesn’t smear when erasing like other erasable pens.
20 Stocking Stuffer Studio Staples
If you find yourself struggling to decide what to get the artist in your life this Christmas, we are eager to help with recommendations for gifts artists will love any...
How to Create a Gift Set for Painting and Drawi...
Step 1: Purchase a Cheap Joe’s Gift Card. (Just kidding, sort of, but it is an artist’s favorite gift!) We know it’s hard to know what to buy for an artist. Artists can be picky people, and you don’t know what they really need or want. So our resident artists here at Cheap Joe’s put together an easy guide to making a gift set that will show that personal touch. Whether you’re encouraging a beginner or gifting a professional, you can DIY a custom gift set within your budget. Pick something to make art on, such as a paper pad, a canvas, a sketchbook, or a panel and/or Add a set to make art with, such as a paint set, colored pencil set, or a marker set. and/or Add tools to apply the art media with, such as a brush set, a colored pencil accessory kit, or a nice palette. We’ve put together a few ideas as examples for different levels of art experience and media in painting and drawing. Simply mix and match art supplies from 2 or 3 of the columns, and you’ll create a set any artist will be happy to receive. (Especially if you also add a gift card to their stocking!) You can call our helpful Customer Service Team at 1-800-227-2788 or visit one of our store locations to get more recommendations. Gift Sets for Beginner Artists Mix and Match from 2-3 columns depending on your budget Fluid Easy-Block Watercolor Paper Block, Cheap Joe's Sketchmaker Watercolor Compact Set, Cheap Joe's Golden Fleece Synthetic Travel Round Brush Set Watercolor Paint On: For beginner watercolor paper, we recommend a paper that has a sturdy surface for the watercolor to move around, even if it’s made from wood pulp instead of the ideal 100% cotton. While you don’t have to spend on professional quality papers for a beginner, avoid bottom-rung quality papers not designed for watermedia that will only frustrate their first paintings. Paint With: For the paint, we chose good quality beginner watercolor sets with brilliant color, balanced color selection, and fun formats. Brushes and Tools: For the brushes, we chose soft absorbent bristles in sets that take the guesswork out of which shapes are useful. Paint On Paint With Brushes and Tools Fabriano 1264 Mixed Media Pad Cheap Joe's Sketchmaker Watercolor Compact Set Princeton RealValue Series 9100 - Set of 4 Synthetic Camel Brushes, No. 9121 Fluid Watercolor Paper Easy-Block Van Gogh Watercolor - Assorted Colors, Set of 12 Tubes Cheap Joe's Golden Fleece Synthetic Travel Round Brush Set Canson Artist Series Montval Watercolor Sketchbook Sakura Koi Watercolor Pocket Field Sketch Box Cheap Joe's Starving Artist White Synthetic Brush Starter Set 1 Crescent Creative No. 114 Watercolor Board Pack Winsor & Newton Cotman Palette Pocket Set Raphaël Mini Travel Brush Set in Bamboo Wrap American Journey Synthetic Brush Set, Joe's Prime Canvas Panels, Sennelier Abstract Acrylic Acrylic Paint On: Beginning acrylic painters can paint on mixed media paper or canvas. Our choices here will give them lots of less-precious options so they won’t be afraid to experiment as they learn. Paint With: Student-grade acrylics usually contain more filler and less expensive pigments but are still a good place to start when learning. You only need a few colors to begin, and with these sets they can learn to mix their own colors. Brushes and Tools: Practical tools for new acrylic painters are a disposable palette and brushes that work well with watermedia. A simple easel for the dining room table would also be a plus! Paint On Paint With Brushes and Tools Canson Artists' Series Mixed Media Sketchbook Joe's Prime Lightfast Acrylic - Basic Color Set Richeson Grey Matters Paper Palette Joe's Prime Canvas Panels Royal & Langnickel Acrylic Painting Box Set Cheap Joe's Travel Table Easel Strathmore 500 Series Heavyweight Mixed Media Pad Sennelier Abstract Acrylic - Primary Colors, Set of 5 American Journey Interlocked Synthetic Brushes - Starter Set 1 or 2 Canson XL Oil & Acrylic Pad Liquitex Basics Acrylic Set Princeton RealValue Series 9100 - Set of 5 White Taklon Brushes, No. 9155 Joe's Prime Canvas Panels, Da Vinci Oil Color Mixing Set, Princeton RealValue Series 9100 Bristle Brushes Oil Paint On: Oil painting takes practice, so it’s best to provide a beginner with several less intimidating options for surfaces to paint on. Canvas panels, pads, and stiff paper-like cartón are perfect for studies yet still framable. Paint With: Just like acrylics and watercolor, these good quality oil painting sets contain the basic colors to get started while allowing them to learn to mix colors as well. We also included an earth palette Pigment Stick Set which is a great introduction to oil paint for artists who are already comfortable drawing. It’s like drawing with oil! Brushes and Tools: Oil paint brushes need to be stiffer than those for watermedia, so we picked some economical sets that offer good bristles and helpful shapes. Oil paint also requires solvent instead of water to thin the paint. A glass palette is ideal for oils because it’s non-absorbent, silky to mix color on, and can be easily scraped clean. Paint On Paint With Brushes and Tools Guerrilla Painter Cartón Plein Air Panels Van Gogh Oil Color Sets Princeton RealValue Series 9100 - Set of 4 Bristle Brushes, No. 9131 Cheap Joe's Sketchmaker Canvas Pad Da Vinci Oil Color Mixing Set American Journey Odorless Mineral Spirits - 4 oz. Joe’s Prime Canvas Panels Bob Ross Master Oil Paint Set New Wave POSH Glass Table Top Palette Joe’s Prime Linen Panels R&F Pigment Sticks - Beginner 3 Color Set Princeton RealValue Series 9100 - Combination Set of 6 Brushes, No. 9148 Artbin Sketch Board, Cheap Joe's Sketchmaker Drawing Pads, Sakura Pigma Micron Pen Sets Drawing & Sketching Draw On: The most commonly chosen paper for drawing is smooth with a little bit of ‘tooth,’ or very light texture, to hold dry media. We chose drawing paper in pads and sketchbooks with lots of sheets to encourage practice. Pads are great for making drawings one by one that can be removed and displayed, while sketchbooks are ideal for sketching ideas and trying out techniques while collecting their progress and development. Draw With: Drawing supplies are so varied and artists routinely use many types for sketching. Colored pencils, art markers, Micron fine line pens, and a variety drawing materials set are useful choices as they discover their particular preference. Drawing Accessories: Drawing is a refreshingly simple and inexpensive way to begin making art, so you could truly stop with something to draw on and with, but we added some nice extras for transporting drawing materials as well as a set of erasers every artist should have. Draw On Draw With Drawing Accessories Fabriano Studio Mixed Media Fat Pad Prismacolor Colored Pencil Set Speedball Canvas Pencil Case Cheap Joe’s Sketchmaker Drawing Pads Koda Art Dual Tip Brush Marker Sets General’s Art Eraser Set Strathmore Visual Journal Cretacolor Urban Sketching Set Artbin Sketch Board American Journey Hardbound Sketchbook Sakura Pigma Micron Pen Set Itoya Profolio Midtown Pouch Gift Sets for Advanced Artists Mix and Match from 2-3 columns depending on your budget Winsor & Newton Professional Watercolor Synthetic Sable Brush, Schmincke Horadam Aquarell Super Granulating Watercolor Tubes, The American Journey Journaling Sketchbook Watercolor Paint On: Every watercolor artist will appreciate a 100% cotton watercolor sketchbook for their studies or travel watercolor. Here, we chose high quality paper in hardback formats. Paint With: We chose unique professional watercolor sets that will add to their existing collection, from popular super-granulating watercolor to QoR’s modern watercolor to a selection of artist-curated sets by American Journey and Daniel Smith. Brushes and Tools: Advanced watercolorists will already have a selection of brushes, but we chose some high quality options we believe they’ll love to add to their rotation. Paint On Paint With Brushes and Tools American Journey Journaling Sketchbook QoR Watercolor Set Raphaël Bamboo Brush Wrap Sets Kilimanjaro Black Travel Journal American Journey Watercolor Set Miller's Pseudo Sable Travel Brushes, Set of 4 Arches Watercolor Travel Journal Daniel Smith Watercolor Set Winsor & Newton Professional Watercolor Synthetic Sable Brush - Quill, Medium Etchr Sketchbook Schmincke Supergranulating Watercolor Set Princeton Neptune Series 4750 Synthetic Squirrel Brushes - Set of 4 Joe Miller Signature Series Stretched Cotton Canvas, American Journey NewBristle Synthetic Brush Set, Liquitex Acrylic Set Acrylic Paint On: Painters always need a supply of surfaces to paint on so we’ve collected some old favorites plus some new options they may not have tried yet, like Aluminum Panels and real canvas pads with lots of sheets for studies. Paint With: Each acrylic paint here is professional quality with high pigment loads and excellent working properties. These paint brands are popular with acrylic painters for a reason! Brushes and Tools: We’ve included traditional acrylic brushes alongside fun scraping tools that might encourage play in a new direction. Painting knives and glass palettes are helpful tools for any acrylic painter. Paint On Paint With Brushes and Tools Ampersand Unprimed Birch Wood Artist Panel - 7/8" Cradle, 6" x 6", 4 Pack American Journey Artists' Acrylic Set American Journey NewBristle Synthetic Brush Set Joe’s Prime Aluminum Painting Panels Da Vinci Fluid Acrylic Favorite Color Set Princeton Catalyst Wedges and Contours Joe Miller Signature Series Canvas Golden Acrylic Set Joe Miller Signature Painting and Palette Knife Set Joe’s Prime Canvas Pads Liquitex Acrylic Set New Wave POSH Glass Artist Palette Gamblin Palette Knives, American Journey Professional Artists' Oil Color Sets, Joe's Prime Linen Canvas Panels Oil Paint On: We’ve collected some classic oil painting surfaces like linen and wood panels, as well as a cotton oil paper that doesn’t require gessoing. Whether they use these for studies or plein air painting, painters always need more surfaces on which to make art. Paint With: Each oil paint here is highly pigmented professional quality and a joy to paint with. We also included something they may not have tried yet, Pigment Sticks, which is like drawing with pure oil pigment. Brushes and Tools: Oil painting requires more accouterments than other paint mediums and so choosing the right ones can be tricky. Instead, we collected some nice-to-have practical brushes and a mediums set plus a fun pochade box and an ergonomic painting knife. Paint On Paint With Brushes and Tools Joe's Prime Linen Canvas Panels American Journey Artists' Oil Color Set Gamblin Oil Painting Must Have Mediums Set Ampersand Gessobord Panels Williamsburg Handmade Oil Set Guerrilla Painter Thumb Box Pochade Joe Miller Signature Gessoed Painting Panels R&F Pigment Stick Set Gamblin Palette Knife Arches Oil Paper Sennelier Landscape Plein Air Oil Set Miller’s Workhorse Brush Set Strathmore 400 Series Toned Sketch Journals, Faber-Castell Polychromos Colored Pencil Set, KUM Automatic Long Point Sharpener Drawing & Sketching Draw On: Many artists already have plenty of paper, so we chose some unique surfaces they may not have tried yet to inspire some adventurous exploration. Draw With: One thing we’ve learned is that every artist draws and sketches, even if that’s not the final form their artwork takes. That means gifting drawing supplies is always a win. From paint markers to pastels, we chose professional quality drawing supplies that are ideal for sketchbook studies up to finished works of art. Drawing Accessories: Since drawing doesn’t require a lot of fussy equipment, we chose some nice-to-have accessories like a travel drawing case, a fantastic sharpener, and some drawing supply organizers. Draw On Draw With Drawing Accessories Ampersand Pastelbord Sampler Sennelier Half-Stick Soft Pastel Set Speedball Canvas Roll-Up Pencil Case Fabriano Black Black Drawing Pad Faber-Castell Polychromos Colored Pencil Set Kum Auto Long Point Sharpener Strathmore Toned Sketch Journal ArtGraf Tailor Shape Water-Soluble Pigment Block Set Artbin Desktop Organizer Shizen Handmade Pastel Paper Posca Paint Pen Set Etchr Field Case
How to Create a Gift Set for Painting and Drawi...
Step 1: Purchase a Cheap Joe’s Gift Card. (Just kidding, sort of, but it is an artist’s favorite gift!) We know it’s hard to know what to buy for an...
Creative Christmas Gifts for Artists: Art Suppl...
What makes a good gift for an artist? You want to spark their creativity and encourage their practice, plus surprise them with something special they might not buy for themselves. To give you some ideas on what artists really want, we’ve asked Cheap Joe’s resident artists what they’d like to receive and why. We divided it into lists according to budgets under $30, $50, and $100 plus a luxury gift section. Art Supplies Under $30 Miller’s Pseudo Sable Quill - “A quill watercolor brush can do anything I ask of it, and to have just 1 really nice one would be a luxury.” - Abby Yasutomo Bokuju Sumi Set - “I don’t necessarily want to do traditional sumi-e, but I love the preciousness of the materials in this set and the versatility of the ink for all kinds of brush sketching.” - Catherine Sennelier Half-Stick 6 Pastel Sets - “I love the 6 color set collections and kind of want to collect them all.” - Bryant Arches Watercolor Travel Journal - “You can’t go wrong with a 100% cotton watercolor sketchbook from Arches. I want 5 to create a journaling theme with each one.” - Taylor Faber-Castell Albrecht Durer Watercolor Marker 5 Color Set - “These are my favorite illustrating brush markers because they can be used wet or dry and layer well to make in-between colors. I always need more.” - Amanda J. Herbin Fountain Pen Inks - “The glass bottles are luxurious and the detail of the built-in pen holder is *chef’s kiss*. I love the French color names and want to collect them all.” - Erin Silver Point Drawing Tools - “I’ve always wanted to try this centuries-old drawing technique but probably need the encouragement to go ahead and do it.” - Nicole Etchr Mini Porcelain Palette Kits - “These are perfect for travel. A customer commented that these are "Annoyingly worth the money," and I couldn't agree more. Yes it's small, yes it's compact, yes it's totally and completely adorable, but it's well made, it's well thought out and it's beautiful.” - Julie Speedball Canvas Pencil Cases - “I have 1 and carry it with me everywhere, and now I want one for each of my collections of pencils and pens.” - Ashleigh Essential Supplies and Gifts for Artists Under $50 Posca Marker Set of 16 - “I use these to draw on anything and everything and can never have enough. I want all the point sizes.” - Amanda Cheap Joe’s Maker’s Crossback Apron - “I’m very impressed with the functionality and style of these. I think it would last me forever. So many pockets!” - Julie Golden SoFlat Matte Acrylic Paint Sets - “Love the idea of these, but I haven’t tried them yet. The matte finish appeals to me more than regular acrylics. The appearance of gouache without the struggle.” - Bryant Etchr Field Case - “I would never invest in this for myself but it would be so nice to have one to carry out all the time. I really like the minimalist style and it would satisfy my organizational obsession.” - Erin Williamsburg Handmade Oil Color Sets - There are some interesting color collections in these sets and it's such a great handmade oil paint.” Etchr Black Graphic Pen Collection - “It’s every line type that I could want and I like that the ink is waterproof and won’t fade.” - Nicole Faber-Castell Albrecht Durer Watercolor Pencil Set of 24 - “Faber-Castell’s Polychromos Colored Pencils are my favorite for their lay-down properties and color range, so I know I would love their watercolor pencils” - Catherine Cheap Joe's Sketchbook Set - “I like the idea of volumes of sketches. I can see myself growing my own library of these over time.” - Donnie Gifts for Artists Under $100 American Journey Field Series Sling Bag - “Ever since I saw Amanda’s that she painted herself, I wanted to make my own!” - Ashleigh Koda Art Dual Tip Brush Marker Set of 48 Classic Colors - “I didn’t know how much I liked drawing with brush markers until we got the Koda markers. All of my recent artwork has been made with these.” - Amanda American Journey Voyager 18 Color Mixed Pan Set - “Such a solid set that I would never buy for myself but could see myself using a lot. I like that it’s easily refillable and I can shift the colors around to suit myself.” - Leslie Etchr Watercolor Starter Kit - “I’ve never done watercolor before but now that I work at Cheap Joe’s, I want to. I like that this kit has all the materials I’d need plus classes.” - James Schmincke Super Granulating 15 ml Sets - “Angels sing when I open these boxes. I already have a few of these colors and want them all now for my abstract watercolors.” - Leslie American Journey Brush Combo Set - “I would like a brush set that comes with everything already, including the brush holder that stands up.” - Amy Cheap Joe's Mighty H-Frame Easel “I would love to graduate from my table easel to a real artists’ easel.” - Aiden American Journey Sidecar Porcelain Palette - “I already have a porcelain palette, but I like the idea of this extra one that I can use for extra colors and mixing up large washes.” - Tippy Escoda Travel Color Brush Sets - “I like the mix and match of different Escoda brush lines in these travel sets. Escoda is one of the best brush makers out there for performance and longevity.” - Leslie $100 and Above Gift Ideas for Fine Artists Schmincke Horadam Half Pan Set in Leather Case - “The leather carrying case is a nice touch. I like that there’s room left to add my own pans of other colors. This is the kind of metal palette that lasts a lifetime.” - Lori Tombow Dual Brush 108 Marker Set - “I want all the colors to print my tiny block prints and illustrations.” - Erin Kilimanjaro All Media Studio Easel - “I tend to go through phases of media. I never know what I’ll want to make in the future and I don’t have much space so this seems like the best easel. I like that it can go completely horizontal and that it can be moved easily on wheels.” - Catherine Cheap Joe’s Legend Kolinsky Sable Brush Sets - “A whole set of real sable brushes would be an amazing luxury.” - Amy Toyo ST-350 Steel Toolboxes - “These make me want to reorganize all my art supplies into these retro boxes.” - Ashleigh American Journey Artists' Acrylic Set - “If I want to learn how to paint in acrylics, this seems like the best set to start. It has everything.” - Mark Holbein Yuko Higuchi Artist Watercolor Sets - “Holbein is my favorite brand of watercolor, and while photographing these sets, I had so much fun looking at the fantasy animal and plant illustrations on each tube. This isn’t your average watercolor set.” - Leslie Unison Handmade Pastel Sets - “These are next-level pastels that I would love to try. The color palettes make me want to draw!” - Abby
Creative Christmas Gifts for Artists: Art Suppl...
What makes a good gift for an artist? You want to spark their creativity and encourage their practice, plus surprise them with something special they might not buy for themselves....
How To Create Cyanotypes from Home
Learn how to create gorgeous cyanotype images with Jacquard's super easy Cyanotype Sensitizer Set as well as their Pretreated Cyanotype Fabric Sheets. It's the perfect project for staying home and making art! You won't believe how easy it is to get stunning results.
How To Create Cyanotypes from Home
Learn how to create gorgeous cyanotype images with Jacquard's super easy Cyanotype Sensitizer Set as well as their Pretreated Cyanotype Fabric Sheets. It's the perfect project for staying home and...
Art Supplies For Every Studio Size
OK, not everyone who does art has a fancy studio, but everyone who does art surely has a space, no matter how small, where they can spread out and create.
Art Supplies For Every Studio Size
OK, not everyone who does art has a fancy studio, but everyone who does art surely has a space, no matter how small, where they can spread out and create.
Create a Mobile Art Studio with Scaled Down Sup...
It's almost effortless for us as artists, beginners or experienced, to begin to collect art supplies that we never end up using, forget we have, or hold onto "just in case." I am often guilty of indulging myself with art supplies, which may make my art studio appear impressive but quickly turns into something overwhelming when it comes time to try and find something or clean up.When my son was born, I lost my studio space to make room for the new addition to our family, and while I have no complaints there, that meant I had so many supplies with very little space to put them. I had to ask myself, "How can I still create art without having my entire studio in storage?"The question I asked myself forced me to take a long look at what I thought defined an art "studio" and whether or not I truly needed my own space. At the time, my son was 18 months old, and I admit that I was never genuinely great at organizing, and it was more difficult now with my son here, but I needed to learn how to purge myself of the too-long list of requirements I thought I needed to make art. But how? People say that one of the most complex skills to learn and put into practice is understanding how to keep things simple, but I hear that it's also one of the most rewarding once conquered. I loved the idea of being able to carry an entire art studio wherever I chose to paint, but that didn't sound so simple at first.I recalled that many master watercolor artists tend to create the basis of their paintings with watercolor instead of carrying a set of pencils about, and that seemed like a good place to start for less baggage. I knew I needed to fit my new "mobile art studio" into as tiny of a space as possible, and I wanted something I could tuck into my car door, possibly my pocket, or on a table next to my favorite chair.I began with my favorite American Journey Voyager set. However, as I carried that around, I occasionally found it to be a bit too much. Later, when I studied my Voyager set, I noticed that I hit some specific color pans more than others: red, yellow, blue, flesh tone, quinacridone gold, and black. Since I typically used just these six colors most often, and since the Voyager set was three-quarters of a pound, I realized I was carrying around a lot of extra weight that wasn't even being used. So the next question I posed to myself was: "Can I make my palette even smaller?" With this question in mind and the goal of de-cluttering and reducing the scale of my everyday art supplies, I found that I could! I only truly needed a few items to have the perfect assortment of uncluttered art supplies for a portable studio. What I Ended Up Keeping for my Scaled Down Portable Art StudioSmaller Palettes and Empty Watercolor PansI purchased and began using Cheap Joe's American Journey Nomad Tins. These tins are great for creating your own palette. Depending on the pans, you can fit up to 3 empty American Journey full pans or six empty American Journey half pans, which was perfect for me. You could also buy magnetic strips to use with the recommended American Journey Nomad or Voyager tins. Using the half pans allowed me to fill the empty compartments with the colors I use most and carry the palette virtually anywhere. Magnetic Tape In addition to the small Nomad Tin, I made sure to get some magnetic tape. Magnetic tape allows me to switch out my palette in seconds with any other color I might want to take with me.Travel Sized ToolsI have a single travel-sized pencil for sketching and a single travel-sized watercolor brush in my preferred size.All together, everything in my new mobile art studio could be placed in a briefcase or carried in one hand wherever I needed to go—and I still had the same art supplies I reached for as if I were in my old studio at home. If you find yourself overwhelmed with the cycle of too many supplies and no space, I hope my findings and suggestions help give you peace of mind on your journey to de-clutter.
Create a Mobile Art Studio with Scaled Down Sup...
It's almost effortless for us as artists, beginners or experienced, to begin to collect art supplies that we never end up using, forget we have, or hold onto "just in...
DIY 3D Christmas Tree Holiday Card
Take your handmade holiday cards to the next level with this three-dimensional Christmas tree card! Simple materials like cut paper and glue are embellished with glossy embossing powders that give these cards that holiday bling
DIY 3D Christmas Tree Holiday Card
Take your handmade holiday cards to the next level with this three-dimensional Christmas tree card! Simple materials like cut paper and glue are embellished with glossy embossing powders that give...
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Recent Posts
Recent Posts
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Easy DIY Watercolor Tree Holiday Cards April 24, 2024 -
20 Stocking Stuffer Studio Staples November 29, 2023 -
Creative Christmas Gifts for Artists: Art Supplies for Every Budget November 20, 2023 -
How to Create a Gift Set for Painting and Drawing: Tips from an Artist November 21, 2023 -
DIY 3D Christmas Tree Holiday Card November 01, 2021
Recent Posts
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Easy DIY Watercolor Tree Holiday Cards April 24, 2024
-
20 Stocking Stuffer Studio Staples November 29, 2023
-
Creative Christmas Gifts for Artists: Art Supplies for Every Budget November 20, 2023
-
How to Create a Gift Set for Painting and Drawing: Tips from an Artist November 21, 2023
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DIY 3D Christmas Tree Holiday Card November 01, 2021