These two photos are pages from my book, Art Workshop for Children. They are my favorite supplies that I use the most in the art classes that I teach in my home. The first list is for the very basic, beginners. If you are just starting out with a young emerging artist and you want just a few things to stock on your shelves, then this is your list. The second list is for when your child has mastered the first beginner supplies and is ready to move on to more sophisticated materials.
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Best list of beginner art supplies for your emerging young artist
You can do so much with just these basic materials. In fact, twenty of the twenty-seven workshops in my book use only this list! All supplies are non-toxic.
PAPER
1. Plain white printer paper // 2. Watercolor paper (9 x 12 90lb) // 3. Sulphite paper in white and gray (a nicer construction paper that can hold paint well) // 4. Colored paper and a box to collect scraps (construction and neon)
PAINT
5. Tempera paint (red, blue, yellow, green, purple, and white) // 6. Half-pint jars with lids for paint + muffin top tin for storing and carrying // 7. Watercolor palette (we use both the basic and the fancy) and we love these fluorescent tempera cakes which feel like watercolor // 8. Liquid watercolors (I keep mine in baby food jars and mix with a little water, the palette shown above is a plastic egg carton) // 9. Paint brushes (plastic Royal brushes size 8 are my fave)
DRAWING
10. Markers // 11. Colored Pencils // 12. Crayons (we use basic Crayola, but these beeswax ones are really nice, and these watercolor crayons are fun)
TOOLS
13. White school glue // 14. Glitter glue // 15. Glue stick // 16. Solid colored washi tape (I also have a basket of patterned washi tapes) and/or masking tape // 17. Scissors // 18. Stapler
FOR PREP
Roll of brown kraft paper // Roll of newsprint // Masking tape
More art supplies to add to your shelves
You can add these materials to your beginner list to expand your child’s art exploration. These materials are a wonderful way to enhance any workshop. All supplies are non-toxic.
1. Yarn (Simply Soft and Red Heart are two inexpensive brands) // 2. Striped paper straws) // 3. Felt (polyester sheets) // 4. Glitter (I usually stick to white)
5. Plastic pony beads // 6. Unfinished wooden beads (we paint them with watercolors) // 7. Colored sticker shapes // 8. Oil pastels and chalk pastels
9. Gel sticks // 10. Tempera paint (fluorescent pink and metallic) // 11. Chalk markers // 12. Fluorescent tempera cakes
13. Pipe cleaners // 14. Chalk // 15. Black sharpies // 16. Popsicle sticks (we like the jumbo, the kids love making people out of them) // 17. Pompoms // 18. Craft wire
19. Exacto knife or utility knife (for adult to cut through cardboard) // 20. Hole punch (1/8″ and 1/4″ and heart shaped)
21. Paper punches (heart, circle) // 22. Rollers (also called brayers, we use these for printmaking) // 23. Glue gun (low heat, for use with an adult)
