I go in cycles with my art supplies. I will get hooked on how some supplies feel when I apply them to the paper of my art journal and then use them over and over again for several layouts. These are supplies I am really enjoying right now:
Scissors – to cut ephemera
Sharpies – especially that black Professional sharpie that writes on wet surfaces and white oil paint sharpie
Paint – I use inexpensive paint in my art journals as they aren’t needing to last forever. I use white paint so often I have a big big bottle of Golden white paint that I pour into that larger squeeze bottle. Also in the background you will see a spray paint. It is a little water and acrylic paint in a spray bottle.
Rubber Stamps – the one in the photo I was given years ago in an artist swap. A bunch of artists swapped supplies and ephemera and that rubber stamp was in one of my packages. I honestly think I have used it just a couple times over the years. But in the last few weeks, since being to the ocean, it has popped up in my art journal more.
Stapler – I sometimes like the look of bits of paper stapled instead of glued
Glue Sticks – again in my art journal I use a lot of glue sticks instead of using gel medium which I use when creating a piece outside my art journal
Bubble Wrap – I love the texture it gives when I dip it into paint and press it to the paper
Old Credit Cards/Gift Cards – those fake credit cards you get in the mail that say “your name here” on them or old gift cards – I use instead of paint brushes. I am especially loving them lately when I layer paint on with them. Oh the layers come through and create a lovely texture
Oil Pastels – These again are inexpensive and I love the layering I can create with the colors. I like to apply them to the paper and then use a soft cloth or sponge to smear them. When doing this on textured layers of paint, it enhances the texture.