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Choosing art materials, the right art materials, is a crucial step in any artist’s creative process. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned artist, the tools, mediums, and surfaces you use can have a profound impact on your work. In this post, I will guide you through my essentials of choosing the best art materials, from selecting the perfect medium to finding the right canvas or surface, and gathering the tools that will help bring your artistic vision alive. With the right materials, you will be able to unlock new levels of creativity and elevate your art to the next level.
When Choosing art materials, the right medium is one of the most enjoyable and personal parts of creating abstract art. The medium I use not only shapes how my artwork looks but also how I feel when I’m creating it. Different materials bring different textures, moods, and effects to my work, and I find that switching up the medium can completely change the direction of a piece. Let me take you through a few of my favourite options, and perhaps you’ll find some inspiration for your own work.
I love working with acrylics because they’re incredibly versatile and easy to use, especially if I’m in the mood to layer quickly or play with texture. Acrylics dry fast, which means I can build up my layers without waiting ages between coats. One tip though is do wait until the layers are dry before building, as the colours can get muddy. I use a hairdryer to speed up the drying process.
I can thin acrylic paints with water for a more translucent look or use them straight from the tube to get thick, bold, saturated strokes. They work well on almost any surface—canvas, paper, wood—you name it, acrylics will stick to it, but do make sure you seal wood and prime canvas and paper. I also enjoy using them when I want to mix other media like collage or ink into my work. If you like bold colours and flexibility in your materials, acrylics might be a great fit for your abstract art. Remember these points when art materials.
I don’t work with oils much as I don’t like the smell and clean up! What I have found with oils though is you need to take your time – and that’s often a pleasure. There’s something luxurious about oil paints—the smooth blends and the rich, deep colours make them feel almost timeless. If you don’t have to rush, as they take ages to dry, which means you can keep tweaking and blending until you’re completely happy with the result.
Oils are great for detailed work and layering, but they do take a bit more preparation. You need to make sure your surface is primed, and ad I have mentioned, cleaning up with solvents is a bit of a hassle. But if you enjoy getting lost in the details and working at a relaxed pace, oils are a beautiful choice for your work.
Watercolours have a special place in my heart for their delicate, flowing quality. I love how they move on the page, blending softly into each other. Watercolours are perfect for capturing a sense of lightness and transparency. They’re also great when I’m out and about with my journal or sketchbook, as they’re portable and easy to use. But I’ll be honest—there’s a bit of a learning curve with watercolours. It takes practice to control the flow and get the pigment just right. Still, if you enjoy working with soft washes of colour and don’t mind a little unpredictability, watercolours can bring a wonderful sense of spontaneity to your work.
Sometimes, I crave a more hands-on, expressive medium, and that’s when I reach for charcoal or pastels. Charcoal is perfect when I want to create bold, dramatic lines or quick sketches. It’s so versatile—I can smudge it for soft shadows or leave it crisp for high contrast. Pastels, on the other hand, let me play with vibrant colours and blend them directly on the surface. Soft pastels give a painterly feel, while oil pastels are smoother and denser. Both are great if you love getting stuck in with your hands and creating something bold and full of energy. I love using them in a mixed media piece where I can explore different mediums in one work.
If I’m feeling experimental, I often turn to mixed media. There’s something freeing about combining different materials like acrylics, watercolours, ink, and collage. Mixed media gives me endless opportunities to play, layer, and explore. Sometimes I’ll paint over a charcoal sketch, or mix ink splashes with torn paper to create interesting textures. However as a tip, do use a sealant to fix these to a work before continuing or they will smudge or disappear all together. For me, mixed media is about pushing boundaries and seeing where the process takes me. It’s perfect if you love variety and want to use your work as a space for creative exploration.
Choosing the right medium for your work is about finding what feels right for you. Whether you’re drawn to the vibrant immediacy of acrylics, the fluidity of watercolours, or the experimental nature of mixed media, the key is to enjoy the process and let your medium guide you. Don’t be afraid to try something new—you never know what will inspire you next. Here is a blog with more tips from one of my favourite artists Alice Sheridan.
When it comes to choosing the right surface for my work, I find that it makes a big difference in how my medium behaves and how the artwork itself turns out. The surface you work on isn’t just a passive background; it plays an active role in the creation process. Different surfaces react to paints, pastels, or inks in unique ways, and experimenting with different textures can really enhance your artistic expression. Let me share some of the surfaces I love using and how each one brings out something special in my work.
Canvas is probably the most classic and reliable surface for many artists, and I often turn to it when I’m working with heavier media like acrylics or oils. It’s sturdy, durable, and has a slight texture that grabs onto the paint beautifully. The texture, known as the “tooth” of the canvas, can be a big part of the final look, especially if you like your brushstrokes or palette knife work to stand out.
Canvas can handle lots of layering and blending without warping, which is ideal if you’re working with thick paints or experimenting with textures. I love how forgiving it is—if I make a mistake, I can often just paint over it and keep going. Whether stretched over a frame or used in a pad, canvas is a great go-to surface for any mixed media or painting work.
For me, paper is the most flexible option. It’s lightweight, portable, and available in so many different textures and weights, which makes it a fantastic choice for a wide range of mediums. When I’m using watercolours or inks, I always go for a good quality, heavier-weight paper to avoid buckling. Cold-pressed paper has a lovely textured surface that holds water well, while hot-pressed paper is smooth and great for detailed work.
I also love using different types of paper depending on the effect I’m going for. For sketching or charcoal work, I might choose something with a rougher texture that gives a bit of grip to the medium. Paper is also perfect for pastels, graphite, and pen work, allowing me to quickly sketch ideas or dive into more intricate pieces. If I’m in the mood to experiment with collaging or mixed media, I’ll glue various papers directly onto my work for added texture and depth.
I use panels a lot as they have a sturdy, smooth surface that adds a bit more weight and texture to my pieces. I love how they feel solid beneath my brush, and the smoothness of the wood allows for really precise lines and fine detail work. Wood panels are especially good for thicker mediums like oils or acrylics, where I’m building up layers and adding texture. They hold the weight of the paint beautifully, and unlike paper, they won’t warp under pressure.
The natural grain of the wood can even become part of the artwork itself, adding an organic, earthy feel to the piece. It’s a surface that gives me a lot of creative freedom to experiment, especially when I’m in the mood for something a bit more substantial than paper or canvas. It’s also a lot easier to sand away elements to reveal what lies beneath.
One of the most fun aspects of making work is experimenting with different surfaces within a single piece. Sometimes, I’ll glue fabric swatches or textured paper directly onto my canvas or wooden panels to add a whole new dimension. I also enjoy working on unconventional surfaces like cardboard or recycled materials, as they bring a unique character to my work.
There’s something exciting about taking an everyday material and turning it into the base for a new creation. When I’m in a playful, experimental mood, these mixed surfaces can really unlock my creativity and take my work in unexpected directions. Experimentation and play is paramount in my work practice. In my studio, I spend more time at it than anything else. (Apart from admin – ugh!)
In the end, choosing the right surface for your work is about knowing what works best for your chosen medium and style, but it’s also about experimentation. Whether it’s the familiar texture of canvas, the versatility of paper, or the solid foundation of wood panels, the surface you choose can bring a whole new energy to your artwork. Don’t be afraid to explore different materials—each one offers its own possibilities and challenges that can help your artistic voice shine through.
When I’m creating, I’ve found that the tools I use are just as important as the medium or surface. Having the right tools can completely change how a piece develops and how I engage with the process. While the basics—like brushes and palette knives—are essential, I also love exploring unconventional tools to bring new textures and ideas into my work. Whether I’m working on a detailed piece or something more abstract, the right tool often unlocks possibilities I hadn’t even considered. Here’s a breakdown of some of my go-to tools, along with a few unexpected ones that always keep things interesting.
Brushes are probably the most essential tool in any artist’s kit, and I always make sure to have a variety of them at hand. Different brush sizes and shapes can dramatically affect the look and feel of a piece. For example, I’ll use fine detail brushes for intricate lines or precise work, and wider, flat brushes for larger areas of colour or bold strokes.
Round brushes are great for creating both thin lines and broader marks with a single stroke, while fan brushes are perfect for blending and softening edges. I also like to experiment with different brush textures, from stiff bristles that create distinct, textured strokes to softer brushes that glide smoothly across the surface. The key is to have a variety that allows for flexibility and creativity as your work evolves.
Palette knives are one of my favourite tools when I want to add texture or create more expressive marks. They’re great for spreading thick layers of paint, especially when working with oils or acrylics, and they allow me to build up the surface of a piece without worrying about precision. I often use them to scrape paint across the canvas or to blend colours directly on the surface in a way that feels more spontaneous than using a brush.
The textures you can create with a palette knife—sharp edges, smooth swipes, or even rough, layered sections—bring a dynamic element to the work. For me, using a palette knife is all about letting go of control and allowing the tool to shape the piece in unexpected ways.
When I want to blend colours seamlessly or add soft texture to my work, I turn to sponges. They’re fantastic for creating gradients and smooth transitions between colours, and I find them especially useful for background work. Sponges can be dipped in paint and dabbed lightly to create a stippling effect, or pressed firmly for a bolder, more textured mark. What I love about sponges is their versatility—you can use them for soft, subtle touches or bold, textured layers depending on how you apply the paint. They’re an easy and affordable way to add variety to your toolset, and I always keep a few different types around when I’m working.
I love this video from one of my favourite artists – Louise Fletcher. Watch for more tips!
One of the most exciting parts of my creative process is experimenting with unconventional tools. Sometimes, the best marks or textures come from the least expected places! I’ve used old credit cards to scrape paint across the surface, which creates sharp, clean lines and interesting texture. I’ve also used combs to add wavy lines or crosshatching effects to a piece, giving it a unique, patterned look. My fingers are another favourite tool—I love the tactile experience of spreading paint or charcoal with my hands, allowing me to connect more directly with the work.
Items like feathers, pieces of fabric, or even twigs can become tools, adding organic and spontaneous elements to my creations. The beauty of choosing art materials that are unconventional is that they encourage you to step out of the box and think creatively about how you apply your materials. Here is a great tool tip from the wonderful artist Nick Wilton. I have loads of these in different sizes.
If I’m working on something that requires more precision or specialised techniques, I will think carefully about choosing art materials and tools and I’ll bring out some of my favourite specialty tools. For example, I sometimes use silicone brushes or shapers, which allow me to manipulate paint and mediums in ways that traditional brushes don’t. These tools are great for adding fine detail or sculpting texture into thick layers of paint. I also love using stencils for layering patterns or shapes onto a piece, especially when working with mixed media. Even using household items like masking tape can help create sharp, defined edges or protect areas of the work that I want to keep clean.
Choosing art materials; in this instance the right tools, can open up endless possibilities for your creative process. Whether it’s the precision of a fine brush, the bold texture of a palette knife, or the unexpected patterns from an old credit card, each tool brings something unique to the work. For me, part of the joy of creating is experimenting with new ways to apply paint, mix media, and layer textures. The more tools you have at your disposal, the more freedom you have to express yourself and push the boundaries of your work. So, don’t hesitate to step outside the traditional toolkit when choosing art materials —sometimes, the most unexpected items can lead to your most exciting pieces.
In this blog post, we explored how choosing art materials correctly can transform your creative process and bring new life to your work. Whether you’re an experienced artist or just starting, having a solid understanding of mediums, surfaces, and tools is key to expanding your artistic possibilities.
We discovered that choosing artist materials involves:
Choosing art materials—whether it’s your medium, surface, or tools—gives you the flexibility to explore new techniques and push your creative boundaries. By experimenting with different combinations, you’ll discover what works best for you and find new ways to express your unique artistic voice.
Choosing art materials – You can find the other blog posts in this series here:
Step 1: How to Create Your Own Abstract Art: Amazing Tips and Techniques
Step 2 – How to Create Your Own Good Abstract Art: Tips and Techniques
Step 3 – Tips to Fuel Your Artist Journal with Shapes, Colours, and Patterns
About Simone
Experience the magic of colour and nature with my stunning abstract art. Every piece is crafted to bring you joy and elevate your space, making it a focal point that sparks admiration and conversation. Let your home reflect your love for art and beauty."
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