Ultimate List of Art Supplies for Your Creative Teen

Looking for the perfect list of art supplies for your creative teen? I have you covered! If you want to encourage creativity it is so important that you provide your teen with quality art supplies. This list will help you do just that.

Yummy, sumptuous art supplies…ah, they make my mouth water! But don’t worry, I don’t actually eat them. That’d be gross – and a little weird! Chances are, if you have a creative, artsy teen, he or she gets just as giddy as I do at the sight or smell of new supplies.

And if you are serious about furthering his or her artistic endeavors, then it is essential that you provide them with quality art supplies. I’ve been drawing, painting, sculpting and creating since I was a wee lass, and have used many different products – from cheap to expensive (and everywhere in between).

Ultimate List of Art Supplies for Your Creative Teen | masterpiecesociety.com

So I’ve compiled a mega-list of items that I have used and would recommend for your aspiring artist. Please note: While this is not a comprehensive list, it is a thorough one with over 120 different items. And no, your teen doesn’t necessarily need everything listed here. But this is a great post to bookmark and come back to as his or her needs grow.

I buy my art supplies from various places, such as Hobby Lobby, Michaels, Dick Blick, and more. But since they’re usually much cheaper on Amazon, and I can get most of my products delivered to my door (for FREE) within 2 days via my Prime Membership, that’s what I usually do.

Since this is such a large list, I have separated the art supplies into several different groups. So feel free to scroll down to whichever medium your teen is into at the moment:

Substrates
Drawing & Sketching
Acrylic Painting
Watercolor
Oil Painting
Gouache, Oil Pastels, Soft Pastels
Mixed Media Collage
Sculpting
Stamp Making & Block Printing
Encaustic Wax
Other Artist Tools & Supplies

If you have a teen who’s quite serious about pursuing art, I encourage you to do your utmost to provide him or her with the best you can afford. And obviously, you don’t have to purchase them all at once, but little by little, add better supplies as you can. Buy them as birthday or Christmas presents, Valentine’s Day or Easter goodies, let grandparents or aunts/uncles give them as gifts, and pretty soon your teen will be well-stocked in some pretty sweet art supplies!

So without further ado, here they are:

Substrates

There are so many substrates (or surfaces) on which to paint or draw. Below are a few of my favorites:

Art Alternatives Economy Artist White Canvas Super Value Pack-8 x 10 inches-Pack of 10 US Art Supply 8 X 10 inch Professional Artist Quality Acid Free Canvas Panels 12-Pack (1 Full Case of 12 Single Canvas Panels) Strathmore STR-430-9 10 Sheet 400 Series Acrylic Paper Pad, 9 by 12 Fabriano Studio Watercolor Pad 8X10 HP 300G Strathmore 360109 Cold Press 140-Pound 12-Sheet Strathmore Watercolor Paper Pad, 9 by 12-Inch Canson XL Mix Media Pad,9 Strathmore Series 400 Sketch Pads 9 in. x 12 in. – pad of 100 Strathmore Smooth Drawing Spiral Paper Pad 9 Dylusions Dyan Reaveley’s Creative Journal, 5 by 8-Inch

Drawing & Sketching Supplies

In this section, there are some delicious drawing and sketching supplies your teen might want to add to his or her stockpile:

BIC Xtra-Sparkle Mechanical Pencil, Medium Point (0.7mm), Fun Design With Colorful Barrel, 15-Count Faber-Castel 114000 8-Piece Creative Studio Graphite Sketch Set, 2H, HB, B, 2B, 4B and 6B GENERAL’S Charcoal Drawing Set, White/Black, Set of 4 Pencils and 1 Eraser – 321742 (Pack of 2)General Pencil Co. 5 Pack of Pure Willow Vine Charcoal General Pencil 957ABP Compressed Charcoal Sticks 4/Pkg-Black – Soft Assorted STABILO All-STABILO Colored Pencil For Film & Glass, Black Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils, Soft Core, 24 Pack Prismacolor 962 Premier Colorless Blender Pencils, 2-Count Pentel Color Pen Set, 36 Assorted Colors (S360-36)Prismacolor Premier Double-Ended Art Markers, Fine and Chisel Tip, 12 Pack Winsor & Newton ProMarker Brush Set, 6 Count, Skin Tones SAKURA Pigma Micron Fineliner Pens – Archival Black Ink Pens – Pens for Writing or Drawing – Holiday Gifts for Artists, Crafters & DIY Gifts Projects – Assorted Point Sizes – 6 Count Speedball Calligraphy Pen Set – 1 Penholder w/ 4 Nibs, 2 Pen Tips Speedball Super Black India Ink, 2-Ounce Higgins Waterproof Black India Ink 1 oz.General Pencil Jumbo Grey Kneaded Eraser Multicolor Pentel Hi-Polymer Block Eraser, Large, White 6 pack (ZEH10BP3P2)Staedtler Metal Sharpener, Double Hole for Pencils and Colored Pencils, 1-Each (510 20BK)Prismacolor 1774266 Scholar Colored Pencil Sharpener, 3 Piece Art Alternatives Stumps and Tortillions, White Jack Richeson Artist Chamois 2 Pack 5 x 7 Crafter’s Companion SPECL-SA Spectrum Noir Stump Sander with 8 Sanding Sheet,Grey A4 Ultra-Thin Portable LED tracing Light Box Dimmable Brightness LED Art Tracing Pad for Artist Drawing Sketching Animation Stencilling and 5d Diamond Painting (Black, A4)Homecube Pencil Case Big Capacity Pencil Bag Makeup Pouch Durable Students Stationery with Double Zipper Pen Holder for School/Office, Green Art Alternatives Artist Tote Sketchboard 13 Inch x 17 Inch HSOMiD 12” Artists Wooden Manikin Jointed Mannequin Perfect for Home Decoration/Drawing The Human Figure (A)Artist Manikin 12in Male Right Hand

Acrylic Painting Supplies

Here I’ve included cheap craft paints, student-grade acrylics (Liquitex Basics), as well as rich and creamy professional acrylics (Golden). I’m also showing you several gessos, different palette styles (acrylic, wet, gray, and paper – all of which I use), a few different styles of easels, and several other acrylic painting supplies:

FolkArt Acrylic Paint Set (2-Ounce), PROMOFAI Colors I (18 Colors)Liquitex BASICS Acrylic Paint Set, 6 x 118ml Tube Paint Set, Assorted Color, 3.9 Fl Oz (Pack of 6)Golden OPEN Acrylic Paint Set, Mixing Painting Set, Slow Drying 12-Color Golden Acrylic Paint Sets Sticky Notes Liquitex Professional Gesso Surface Prep Medium, 473ml (16-oz), White Liquitex Gesso Surface Prep-Clear 16oz Liquitex Professional Gesso Surface Prep Medium, 237ml (8-oz), Black Absorbent Ground by GOLDEN, 8 fl. oz. Jar, Professional Acrylic Ground, Semi-Opaque Liquitex Professional Fluid Medium, 237ml (8-oz), Gloss UPINS 11 Pcs Flat Paint Brushes Fine Detail Paint Brush Miniature Small Brush Bulk for Detail Painting Mixed Sizes Loew Cornell 842 25-Piece Foam Brush Set, 1-Inch Masterson Artist Palette Seal, 12in x 16in Airtight Palette Container, Keeps Wet Paint Fresh for Weeks, Oil or Acrylic Painting Palette with Lid, Seal, Blue Lid Box, Made in USA Art Advantage Palette 11×15 Clear Acrylic Soho Urban Artist Neutral Gray Artist Paint Palette – Large Butcher Tray Easy Clean Up Palette for Acrylics, No Stains and Paint Peels Off Once Dried – 11 Strathmore 300 Series Palette Paper Pad, Tape Bound, 9×12 inches, 40 Sheets (41lb/67g) – Artist Paper for Adults and Students U.S. Art Supply Walnut Solana Adjustable Wood Desk Table Easel with Storage Drawer, Paint Palette, Premium Beechwood – Portable Wooden Artist Desktop, Board for Canvas, Painting, Drawing, Book Stand LUCYCAZ Tabletop Easel for Painting, Adjustable Wooden Sketchbox Desktop Easel, Portable Art Painting Easel for Adult, Student, Artist, Beginner Falling in Art Beechwood 25 conda 100% Cotton Canvas Professional Bib Apron With 3 Pockets for Women Men Adults,Waterproof,Natural 31inch By 27inch

Watercolor Painting Supplies

Watercolors make fun, portable ways to create art. They’re easy to take on nature walks to painting en plein air or keep in a small case for creating anywhere away from home. Below are various types of watercolors for your teen to experiment with, plus some fun items to add interest to watercolor paintings:

Artist’s Loft Fundamentals Watercolor Pan Set Prang Washable Watercolor Set, 8 Classic Colors with Brush, Assorted Colors (80525) Winsor & Newton Cotman Water Color 12-Tube Set Caran d’Ache Classic Neocolor II Water-Soluble Pastels, 15 Colors Derwent Water Color Pencils, Watercolor, Drawing, Art, 24-Pack (32883) Martin Mijello Airtight Leak Proof Fusian Watercolor 24-Well Palette Grace Art Water Color Brush Set WS12 Loew Cornell, Brush Tub II C-Pioneer 200ML Garden Plastic Cleaning Hand Empty Spray Bottle Water Clear Trigger Water Brush Pen, Self-moistening, Portable, (Assorted Tips, Set of 4) Watercolor Sponges 6/Pkg- Strathmore Watercolor Postcard Paper Pad 4×6-15/Pkg

Oil Painting Supplies

Oil painting is so much fun, but takes a lot longer to dry than acrylics and watercolors. However, if your teen is serious about his or her art education, learning to paint in oils is a must. In this section, I’m listing the basics your teen will need for this medium:

Winsor & Newton Artisan Water Mixable Oil Color Paint Set, 0.71-oz (21ml) Tubes, Set of 10 Jack Richeson 121501 Shiva Oil Paintstik, Student Colors, Set of 12 Speedball Art Products Mona Lisa Linseed Oil, 8 Fl Oz (Pack of 1), Amber Mona Lisa 32-Ounce Odorless Paint Thinner Silicoil The Lion Company Brush Cleaning Tank 25pcs Paint Brush Set, Fuumuui Acrylic Paint Brushes, Professional Artist Series with Wide Flat, Filbert, Fan, Dagger, Cat Tongue, Round, Angle, Rigger for Oil, Acrylic Canvas Paintings, Face Painting 5 Pieces Painting Knives Stainless Steel Spatula Palette Knife Oil Painting Accessories Color Mixing Set for Oil, Canvas, Acrylic Painting-Lightwish Wooden Palette 11.75×15.75 Oval Guerrilla Painter 2021 Large Mouth Double Artist Palette Cup, Silver

Other Art Mediums

I wanted to include a few more mediums that are fun to work with which your teen may want to add to his or her repertoire:

Holbein Artists Gouache Set of 12, 5ml tubes Pentel Oil Pastels 50/Pkg-Assorted Colors Mungyo Non Toxic Square Chalk, Soft Pastel, 64 Pack, Assorted Colors (B441R078-7003A)

Mixed Media Collage Supplies

As a mixed media artist, here are just a few of the various products I use on a regular basis. PLUS, old books, vintage lace, found objects, bubble wrap, shelf liner, and more! Mixed media is a fun, messy, “break all the rules” style of art:

Liquitex Professional Matte Medium, 237ml (8-oz)Liquitex Professional Matte Gel Medium, 237ml (8-oz)Mod Podge Matte Sealer, Glue & Finish: All-in-One Craft Solution- Quick Dry, Easy Clean, for Wood, Paper, Fabric & More. Non-Toxic – Craft with Confidence, Made in USA, 16 oz., Pack of 1 Mod Podge Waterbase Sealer, Glue and Finish (8-Ounce), CS12948 Antique Matte DecoArt Americana Decou-Page Photo Transfer, Medium BLEDS Scrapbook Paper 160gsm, 24 Sheets Vintage Craft Scrapbooking Paper Pad 6×6 Single-Side Printing Junk Journal Cardstock Paper Supplies for Card Making Decorative Background Art Album (21006)Crafters Workshop Ronda Palaza Designs Stencil 12 Faber-Castell Mixed Media Paper Stencils – 101 Collection – 10 Reusable Graphic Stencils 16 Pieces Circle Stencil Bubble Geometric Craft Stencil Polka Dot Stencils Mixed Media Circle Stencils for Painting on DIY Card Making Scrapbook Paper Fabric Pillows (16 Dot)Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz Cling Stamps 7 Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz Cling Stamps 7 Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz Cling Rubber Stamp Set, 7 by 8.5-Inch, Tall Text Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz Cling Stamps 7 Tim Holtz Cling Stamps 7 Tim Holtz Cling Stamps 7

Sculpting Supplies

Sometimes an artist wants to sculpt, mold and create with good old-fashioned clay. Here are several types to have fun with, plus some nice tools with which to carve and mark:

Creative Paperclay for Modeling Compound, 16-Ounce, White, 4 Crayola Air Dry Clay for Kids (5lbs), Reusable Bucket of Terra Cotta Clay for Sculpting, Bulk Arts and Crafts Supplies, Ages 3+Sculpey III 30 Vibrant Colors of Polymer Oven-Bake Clay, Non Toxic 1.88 lbs., great for modeling, sculpting, holiday, DIY, mixed media and school projects. Great for all skill levels.Pepy Reusable and Non-Drying Oil-Based Plasticine Modeling Clay, Cream, 2 Pounds, Sulfur-Free & Non-Toxic, Great for Kids, Beginners, and Artists, Perfect for Arts and Crafts Projects Pottery Tool Kit -21 Tip Double Sided, 11-Piece Tool Beginner’s Clay Sculpting Set, Clay, Wood Carving, Ceramic Art Project Accessory for School, Classrooms, Kids/Adults, Birthday Gift, Craft Activity ARTIST’S BEST 8 Piece | Wheel Throwing Pottery Tool Kit | Ceramic Clay Tools Set | Clay Wax Pottery Tool Kit |Ceramics Wax Carving Sculpting Modeling Tools

Stamp Making / Block Printing Supplies

My latest art endeavor is to create my own signature stamps and print blocks that I can use over and over. Below are some great supplies to invest in:

Speedball Speedy-Carve Lino Carving Block, Rectangle, Pink, 9 x 11-3/4 Inches, Linoleum for Printmaking Speedball Linoleum Cutter Kit Assortment #1 – Linocut Carving Tools for Block Printing, Includes 5 Blades Speedball Water-Soluble Block Printing Ink Starter Set, 6 Bold Colors with Satin Finish, 1.25-Ounce Tubes Speedball Bench Hook and Inking Plate for Block Printing Carving, 9 Speedball Deluxe Soft Rubber Brayer, 4-Inch

Encaustic Wax Supplies

Disclaimer: I have yet to try encaustic wax. I have my beeswax, my craft iron, and melting pot all ready — I just haven’t had the time to sit down and play with it all. But I wanted to include it here in case your teen is interested. Encaustic wax makes gorgeous art pieces! Here are the basic supplies needed:

R&F Handmade Paints Encaustic Medium Bagged Paint, 1-Pound Encaustic Art The Original – BASIC SELECTION Set of 16 -Encaustic Wax Block Colors Set -Non-Toxic, Beeswax For Encaustic Art Supplies -Handcrafted in Germany R&F Handmade Paints – Professional Encaustic Paint – Translucent Colors, Set of 6 40ml R&F Handmade Paints Encaustic Gesso, 16-Ounce Encaustic Art The Original Painting Iron – For USA, 120 Volts, Encaustic Art Supplies, Encaustic Wax Painting SAEUYVB Wax Melter for Candle Making,Candle Melting Pot,Candle Wax Melter,Multifunctional Wax Melting Tool with LED Temperature Display （White）Rabinowitz Design Workshop Electric Waxmelter with 10-Cup Palette R&F Handmade Paints – Professional Encaustic Paint Brush Set of 6 Ampersand Art Supply Wood Painting Panel: Museum Series Encausticbord, 1/8 Inch Depth, 6

Other Artist Tools & Supplies

Lastly, here are some basic tools to help your aspiring artist in some of the fundamental areas of art: perspective, color mixing, values, light, and more. Be sure to add these as you can:

The Color Wheel Artist’s View Catcher DaVinci Artist Viewfinder Picture Perfect 3 in 1 Plus View Finder Color Wheel 3505 Gray Scale and Value Finder Color Wheel 9-1/4 Pro Art 1/2-Inch by 60-Yards White Artist Tape Westcott Triangular Scale (KT-90) Westcott Non-Shatter Ruler, Clear, 12 Inches,(13862) Scotch Multi-Purpose Scissor, 8-Inches (1428)

There’s a whole lot more art supplies available. I’ve given you a good start here. Have fun adding to your teen’s stock — it’s truly an investment in their gifts and talents, and possibly, their future!