Welcome to the FAM! Are you ready to paint?!
You may already have these items at home! Most of these art supply links are to JoAnn's or Amazon. Links to amazon are affiliate links, meaning that when you click on a link, then make a purchase, the art studio will receive a small percentage.
Let's get to it!
BRUSHES
Royal & Langnickel Variety Brush Set, 15 pc. Golden Taklon from JoAnn's
This is a fantastic buy and on sale when I ordered online. If regular price, you can use JoAnn's online or in-store coupon for 40% or 50% off. This set can easily be shared and has long-lasting, easy-to-clean handles.
PALETTE KNIFE
Any straight palette knife is fine...Here's one from JoAnn's:
PALETTE
Ideas: disposable plates, cardboard, plastic food contianer lids, foam produce packaging
WATER CUP
Use anything from a disposable cup, to a clean, plastic food container to hold paint water. A wide bottom is less less likely to spill.
PAPER TOWELS
If you'd rather not, a cloth towel/rag can be used, washed, reused.
CHALK
Only one piece of white and one piece of colored is needed.
CARBON PAPER FOR TRACING
PAPER/PENCIL
CANVASES
There are lots of choices here! You don't have to paint on a stretched canvas for each class. Canvas "panels" are more affordable, although they don't have a frame/edge, making them more difficult to hang. I'll also link some extra thick cardstock as a super practical painting surface.
What size of canvas would be best? Using larger canvases could require less fine motor skills in some designs, but smaller canvases take up less wall space, and are faster to complete.
We'll mostly be using 12 x 16 canvases. Find the best values on canvases or art panels by searching "Value Pack Canvas" or "Value Pack Art Panels" online or in-store at JoAnn's, Michael's, Hobby Lobby, Walmart, or Amazon. If they're not on sale (first three), you can use in-store or online coupons for an additional 40-50% off!
FIND Hobby Lobby COUPONS HERE (click "get coupon")
PAINT
We use LOTS of White, and the quality makes a difference.
Here's what we use:
True Flow Heavy Body Acrylic Paint-White-1 pint from Amazon
We often use Black for outlining in Kids Studio designs. Apple Barrel paint is thin, making it the perfect outlining choice! Walmart sells an 8oz bottle of Matte Black (not gloss!) for around 2.50.
I've tested many paint brands, looking for the best quality for the best price point. If you've ventured into the craft paint section of your Walmart, you may have discovered (like I have) that it is BARE!! Online? Similar results. Because of that, I'm encouraging you to use whatever you might already have...any acrylic paint, including craft paint in 2 oz bottles will do.
UPDATE and EDIT!!! Found acrylic paint at Target with great color choices and consistency. The brand is Hand Made Modern and can be ordered online here. They are not easy pour tops, so kiddos may need some help. Strangely, not all of the color names from my in-store purchase match the color names available online (that would be too easy?)...so I'll try to list the general color description in parenthesis.
Colors:
Ladybug Red (Bright Red)
Candy Apple (Pinkish Red)
Pure Orange (Bright Orange)
Marigold (Bright Yellow)
Emerald (Bright Green)
Forest (Dark Green)
Rosemary (Bright Yellowish Green)
Jade (Turquoise Green)
Peacock Blue (Bright Blue)
Midnight Blue (Dark Blue)
Violet (Bright Purple)
Chocolate (Light Brown)
Dark Chocolate (Dark Brown)
Additional Colors we may use: Brick (Cranberry), Azalea (Bright Pink) Robin's Egg, Cobolt Blue, Gold, Bronze, Black and White (if not using the recommended brands/links up above)
Other paints that pass the test: 1. FolkArt (gold caps if possible), 2. Americana (gold caps if possible), 3. Apple Barrel (a bit thin, but will work!)
I've ordered Craftsmart from Michael's-not recommending it...still, if that's what you have, use it up!
HAIR DRYER
Here's what we use:
APRON
Who wouldn't want a super cool apron or two or twenty-seven?! There are options, and I'm happy to share them with you! But really all that you need is an old, over-sized t-shirt. Or turn a garbage bag upside-down, cut a hole top-center (just large enough to squeeze your head through~can use a clothespin if hole gets too big), then add some arm holes. I'm not even kidding.
That said, here are some fun apron choices for you and your Masters of Art...
KIDS STUDIO:
2 Pk. Waterproof Painting Smocks, Long Sleeve with Pockets, Ages 3-8
Small Solid Color Apron with Adjustable Strap, Color Choices
Medium Solid Color Apron with Adjustable Strap, Color Choices
Polka Dot Aprons! Pink, Red, and Blue, Adjustable with Pocket
ADULT:
Miss Owl UNIQUE Adjustable with Pockets, Men/Women, Many Styles
WONDERTIFY FUN and UNIQUE Adjustable Aprons, Men/Women
Solid Color Adult Apron, Adjustable with Pocket, 13 Colors, Men/Women
Denim Apron with Pocket & Cross-Back Straps, Adjustable
Retro Fashion by Honney bee, 2-Pocket Ladies, Floral
GIRLS/LADIES MATCHING:
Pretty Pink Floral Aprons, Girls and Ladies
Many more apron options on amazon! Have fun!
ADDITIONAL ITEMS THAT MAY BE USEFUL BUT NOT NECESSARY:
TABLETOP EASEL
PLASTIC TABLECLOTH (for protecting surfaces)
Cutting up a large trash bag also works, or a broken-down cardboard box.