Are you addicted to art supplies? Stop buying too many art supplies!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 4 พ.ย. 2024
- #addictedtoartsupplies #toomanyartsupplies #artisttips
If you are one of those artist who is addicted to art supplies I have some tips for you. It's fine if you use all that you buy but I see many artists buy because they think one day they will learn that, try that, do that. Then they don't.
It's all part of staying focused. Concentrate on the art you like doing and save the rest for experimentation and only buy the supplies when you are ready to tackle that.
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My downfall is Amazon. It is much too easy to press that “Buy Now” button. Or to fall in love with a technique on TH-cam and follow the link to the materials the artist has used and of course I need one of each colour. Then down the road I have these gorgeous supplies and I can’t remember what bought them for.
I agree. It’s just too easy.
❤
Another good rule is "never buy full sets", when you are starting out the primary colors are sufficient and when you grow into your practice you know which pigments you like best.
You might try out a different color here and there and adjust your palette with time, but full sets are painful to use and you end up with 2/3 you never use.
I agree. I prefer mixing my own colors. I used jelly jars to mix up a lot but these days I just mix on a pallet.
I was in desperate need of an intervention. This was just the sane talking to I required. Thank you!!!
LOL. We all need a talking to when it comes to art supplies. They just opened a bigger Blick store near me and I'm trying to resist.
Good advice. Have trimmed down my space 3 times now and all of what you have spoken about are keys to owning and using only what you need to create what you want right now. Never get ahead of yourself or your art. It never works out.
I understand completely. Lately I've been buying supplies for the channel. Experimenting a lot with things I didn't own. So now I'm overwhelmed. I'll probably give away the stuff I know I'll never use again.
Overbuying on my 20 dollar budget is impossible. 🤭 I am actually constantly running low on essentials. And I am just keep telling myself that I can create some kind of art with what I already have, some people only use graphite pencils for the drawings, I can too.🤷We don't need much really, if we focus on creating not accumulating.
I agree. Great art comes from within you not your art supplies.
That's a lovely sentiment. I have some anxiety about running out of art supplies since I'm also on a limited budget, but your comment about just using graphite made me rethink that after all it is alright, I actually have pencils that could last me 4+ years lol
I’ve been packing stuff to give away for 2 weeks and I am just now seeing a light at the end of the tunnel. I’ve been crying for 2 days about the amount of money I’ve wasted.
Hi, I'm a 20 year old from Philippines. I just started creating art since last year and as a beginner it's exciting to buy a lot of art supplies until I noticed I am more productive during the days I only have few materials. Yes it's okay and it's fun to try other mediums and new art supplies but sometimes it's kind of overwhelming. Now I'm trying to stop myself from buying too much and just try to enjoy and appreciate what I already have and see what I can create out of it. Thank you so much for this video! ❤️ Even if sometimes I still get tempted to buy something I don't need yet, I'm trying to stop myself and your advices were very helpful I actually write some of what you have said so I can read it again and remind myself 🤣❤️
Yes creativity does require massive amounts of supplies or even better supplies. I’ve seen great art created with found objects. Trash to treasure. Better for the planet as well.
It depends. I have a case of cheap, dollar store sketchbooks and a case of cheap, dollar store newsprint pads because I go through a lot of both, working things out before I do a final piece. I do not plan to keep those studies, and see no point in paying for premium paper to do them on. I also keep a set of cheap, kids watercolors around (Crayola educational, usually) and some cheap wc paper around to work out color choices without using my expensive (Danial Smith and M Graham) colors or cotton papers. I also have a couple of sets of artist grade wc that were purchased as I was trying brands to see what I favored the most. I keep tehm because, somehow or other, they ended up in convenient travel cases and I can just grab one and a wc sketch book to take in the field with me. (I use pans, exclusively, you don't want to see the mess I can make with tubes, and my DS and MG are put into pans before I use them. I live in a dry climate -11% average humidity, so I have no problem with the M Graham setting up for me). I still have my charcoals and soft pastels from college, although if I don't start using them again soon, they will probably go, too.
I also still have some stuff from college. I kept color reference materials and some tools that are still in good condition. Thanks for watching.
I think artists buy so many supplies because we like experimenting. Through that experimentation, we learn, grow, become better artists, gravitate towards our favorite supplies, and stop using others. I don't think we necessarily need to never buy supplies, but just don't go too overboard all the time.
Exactly. Plus if we are no longer using something after that experiment then pass it along to a deserving artist.
It’s not the artists that buy… the doers/makers… it’s us wannabes… who procrastinate and dream of making art… but really we’re just collectors/hoarders and get the dopamine hit from the buying/swatching/storing…. Or at least, it is me 😂
I do that with jewelry supplies. I keep buying but never have time to make
@@SusanCliftonArtist not me that has a huge wire and bead “collection” and alll the tools either 😂😂😂
Tbf… I HAVE made 2 knitting row counters with those supplies that I always use and they came out pretty cool if I say so myself
I loved this topic! I have also heard the term, 'Full Set fever', where you have to have the 120 pencils and you buy the cheap set thinking you can just layer them... I have finally learned this lesson. I have another problem: collection of 'texture' items I have found from my 'recycle' or 'won't be able to recycle': Glass jars, fruit bag netting, aluminum wads, straws, paper, styrofoam forms from shipping or bubble wrap, old 'credit card offer' cards that make great marks, little plastic cup/lids from salad dressings and sauces. Is there a 12 step program? Thank you for posting!
Full set fever, I love it. That reminds me of wanting the full box of crayons that had a sharpener built it. It starts at a young age. Lol
@@SusanCliftonArtist Yes! I never thought of 'crayola being my gateway' to art supply hoarding'. LOL. I feel 'love' just looking at the box and the comfort of that memory as a kid. I hear crayola oil pastels are good. The hoarding continues.
thanks...for not making me seem SOOOO weird...there are "others" like me??? Not too good...I know...the real-estate...to store all this stuff/keep track of it...and keep it clean from dust ect...DAUNTING!...I wanna join your 12 stepprogram with you...if you find one...thank you for posting...Janis
Thank you for sharing these thoughts and your ideas will help me a great deal. I have another problem, I “need” to have the entire set of the medium! I’m a Pen & Ink artist and I want to add color to my black & white drawings. I got some water soluble colored pencils. Then, I found Derwent Inktense! I decided I didn’t need anything other art supplies! 😊 But! I do love art supplies, but I try not to purchase what I won’t use. I have a lot of Derwent products and love them all! I still ended up with two watercolor paint pans that aren’t Derwent. I still have them, never used and probably won’t. I will find them a good home.
I have to be careful about the videos I watch so I won’t be influenced by the cool art supplies! I recently fell for Caran D’Ache Neocolor ii Aquarelle. I was only going to buy a few colors I liked. I went back through the list and found I liked them all! I bought the 84 set. While looking for instructions and artwork, I found out they had a 126 piece set, but it was discontinued along with 42 colors. I started a search for the 42 pastels and couldn’t even find their names! I did find a New box of the 126 piece Caran D’Ache neocolor ii Aquarelle! In Switzerland it should be here soon. I apologize for such a long-winded reply, but I’m 70 and live with two cats. From my mountain top in middle Tennessee, where the hilltops kiss 💋 the sky 🌤. Have a wonderful weekend! Fran
The need for the entire set of a medium is not one of my problems, working in acrylic that would not be possible for me. But I do find myself buying colors I can easily mix. Years ago I would have just the basic colors and then mix but I’ve become lazy. Lol. 🤣😍
I like to spend time Not mixing colors! At my age, 70, I don’t have extra time to spare doing things I can get already prepared. I don’t reinvent the wheel, I say “Thank you, wheel inventor” 📣🤣
I decided early on that I would both budget my art purchases & only bring items in I actually wanted to use. That being said I do have a small stockpile of supplies that are nonperishable so if I don't work with them for a few months they aren't wasted.
That has been my thinking as well. But since doing this channel I find myself trying new things. UGH, I have no space.
Oh yah .., familiar story … thank you for reminding us that we don’t need every new thing on the market ❤
I need to remind myself these days. I'm buying for the channel and running out of space.
Toooo late!!!😂 I bought loads of stuff 5 years ago,after a traumatic life changing event, and then again during the pandemic. I bought stuff for the future. Oh look, there's another thing I can learn to do! What was I thinking??? Uh, no, I wasn't thinking! So now I have supplies for junk journalling , art journaling, gelli printing, lino cut & printing, watercolour, acrylics, paper of every kind, and more, to last me 3 lifetimes. I gave classes, offering free materials. Not a dent! And it's overwhelming. I have a no buy policy this year. The start date keeps changing, but I'm determined - nobuy for the rest of the year 😊🤞 btw I'm really a Potter, have been for 25 years! Too many lovely things out there to do...
It's hard to resist. Especially when you want to learn how to do something. I've been purchasing lately because I'm trying things for the channel. Some I will use again so I'm not too worried. But running out of space. LOL. Thanks for commenting.
I totally relate Margaret...it is a SAD STATE!!!!...AND I WONDER...without the internet...which I just got in 2006...and DID NOT KNOW what the hell to do with it...that I may be better off without the internet at this point 17 years later...I love the internet for banking stuff...and to purchase stuff with amazon prime...it is the youtube videos...maybe like yours Susan and a zillion others...that make me think I need to TRY this product...hence acumulating WAY TOO MUH...AND THEN AGAIN MY PROBLEM...is it is hard to GIVE AWAY where I live...or even drop/off/donate...there is nOT EVEN A SALLY ANNE here in Witehorse Yukon
Canada anymore...and they charge you to drop off anything here at the dump...besides clothes...which are only certain days...out of 2 of the 4 they are open...and shut down EARLY.
I have too much. I am retiring in 15 months and moving out of the country. So mine have a expiration date! I will gift 90% before I leave, but I am using them like crazy now!
I call ahead, and explain that I have a health issue (which is true) that doesn't allow me to stand and walk around too much. I then asked them to please get me (I asked for the products I need and ask how much is it). Then I tell them that my husband will get them for me, while I wait in the car. And that's how I help myself regarding the local art stores, that are just like 2 or 3 near me. Now ONLINE BUYING... that's a different monster!!!! But, I am learning. I started a decluttering process like 2 years ago, and it has been a loooooong process, cause I gave away some things then I regretted it and bought them again!!!! But finally, I decided to buy only items that are sold open stock, and since I do know exactly what I use, I wont buy a full set of colored pencils everytime I see a new set I like. For real, how many lemon yellows do I need?! 😆 Only one. Sooooo, I sat down, I gave away all my budget friendly colored pencils, and from all the quality brands I had, I created a personal palette, with a full range of color, but I picked my favorite color from different sets, for example, I used to go to my Prismacolor White as my go to white, but the Chinese White from Derwent Drawing is the best white for me. So I kept that white, and got rid of all the rest. When I need a white, I'll buy that one, and that's it! The same rule applied to the rest of my art supplies, I got rid of my Pentel, Cray Pas, and many other cheap brands of oil pastels, and kept the Paul Rubens. Same with my soft pastels, gave away the Mungyo, Daler Rowney, etc and kept the Rembrandt, kept going with my acrylics, and watercolors, and pastels pencils.... It has been hard.... but I feel like .... I dont know how t explain... Relief?! Relax?... I dont know, I just feel better, but I do struggle when I watch some product reviews on TH-cam, and I want it all!!!! But Im not buying anything more.... I hope I can stay on track!
Thanks for this video. I enjoyed it a lot! 🥰
I am enjoying your comment. We all have to find our own way of controlling those emotions urges. Lol. Stay on track and thanks for watching.
Oh Susan you are so right! I'm going to clean my room asap!
Lol.. good luck with that
@@SusanCliftonArtist 😀YA...KNOW WHAT YOU MEAN...I usually "fall in love" again...with everything I planned on getting rid of ...somehow?!
I researched online the best colors that are lightfast. I read a lot of reviews and I decided which colors and how much I buy from those. I chose the basic colors plus some additional colors , I bought some basic brushes, water color paper, a pencil, a waterproof ball pen and that's it.
Good for you. So many of us buy art supplies we will never use.
Green with envy
Will I use it. Is it good quality. Is it lightfast. No to any of these questions and it wont make it onto my art shelf. I dont have thousands of dollars or space for it or the patience for cheap products that under preform.
I love great. A great way to put limits on the spending.
Really good advice here. Thank you
Thanks.
Very eye opening and informative😎🥰
😎
Guilty, but my problem is art catalogues. Just order, order, order!
Do you mean the type that show art? Good for inspiration.
@@SusanCliftonArtist No, Art Supply Catalogues! I should have clarified -- but art catalogues are good inspiration!
not to worry...I keep art catalogues that are NO LONGER EVEN IN BUSINESS...THE COMPANY...JUST to look at the beautiful supplies...that at this point in time have most likely been DISCONITNUED...just a LOVELY VISUAL REMEMBRANCE...OF TIME GONE BUY......30 years...and how I LOVED art supplies...even back then...
This is all good information. I am the only person on the planet who should not stretch my own canvas. If I can sell for 3-4x the cost and not have them sit around-would be good 👍🏼
My dream is to have the space to stretch canvases a few at a time. But then I’ll be moving them constantly. Storage is in short supply here.
A message to myself: If you have to buy a bin, that is a clue that you don’t have space.
True. LOL. Since starting this channel my supplies are growing. It's not good.
Yassssssssss!
Yes I am! And neveeeeeerrrrr!!!!
Lol. I understand completely.
Guilty as charges - it's awful
Our version of the toy store. I hope you make good use of them.