Art does not come out of thin air. While inspiration for art may come from a feeling or intuition, one must create a physical object in order for others to appreciate the sentiment. Therefore, one must purchase art supplies in order to successfully produce art. The following shopping suggestions include various forms of art and the supplies needed.

Oil Painting

There are many painting medium types, including watercolors, oils, and acrylics. Oil painting will be focused on, as each medium requires different supplies. While oil supplies can be used for other paint mediums, other supplies will be needed as well.

Oil paints are of course the most important element needed for oil painting. One should, at the very least, purchase red, blue, yellow, and white, as these colors can create all other colors. Some people like to purchase black paint, but deep blacks can be created through mixing. One may purchase any other colors, but those four are the most important.

In addition, one should purchase oil paint brushes (a wide variety of sizes), canvases, oil medium (to make the paint more manageable), and a palette. These are the most essential items, though one may choose to purchase many more art supplies to make painting easier.

Sculpting

It is important to decide what kind of sculpture is desired beforehand. One may use colorful, oven-baked clays; traditional clay; or paper mache. Paper mache can be made out of items found at home. Of course, if one wants to work with clay he or she will need to purchase it first. Sculpting knives and other art supplies can help with the process.

Pastels and Charcoals

Art supplies for pastels and charcoals are fairly simple. One need only purchase special pastel paper (which usually has thick ridges along the paper) and the pastels/charcoals in order to create this type of art. However, an important decision does need to be made in this case as well. One must choose between charcoal and pastels. If one chooses pastels, he or she must also choose between oil-based, chalk, or water-soluble pastels. They have different effects, with oil producing stronger colors and chalk being easier to blend.