Art Supplies for Kids

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What do you need in an art kit for your children?

As an art teacher, I was asked many times what to include in an art kit for school-age children. In this lens I will list my favorite art supplies for children to use in their drawing activities.

Basic Drawing Supplies 

Here are the basic items to include to get your child started.
  1. Drawing pencils
  2. Kneaded erasers
  3. Sketchpad
  4. Tortillion
  5. Watercolor colored pencils
  6. Prismacolor double-ended markers

Why Buy Quality Art Supplies? 

I like to buy higher quality supplies so they last all year and the results tend to be better. The initial investment is well worth the extra dollars. Training the children to respect the art supplies is part of the process of learning how to draw.

Another recommendation 

Great colored pencils for young hands (and old)

I am going to share one of my favorite art supplies for using with Dover Coloring books and in my nature journal. They are Lyra Color Giants made by Farb-Riesen. They have a large diameter and are easy to use for all ages of artists. They are a little expensive but they last for a really long time. I like them better than PrismaColors for some art projects and I feel more comfortable putting them into my backpack for our nature hikes. They are much more sturdy and don't need to be sharpened as often.

Colored Pencil Tutorial 

Colored Pencil Tutorial

I give a brief description of Lyra, Prismacolor, Crayola, and Prismacolor Watercolor pencils. See my blog for more art related activities. http://harmonyartmom.blogspot.com

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Watercolor Colored Pencil Tutorial 

Prismacolor

Prismacolor Watercolor Pencils Demo

Demonstration of how to use Prismacolor Watercolor pencils. See my blog for more art activities. http://harmonyartmom.blogspot.com

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Fun Stuff Beyond the Basics 

Prismacolor Art Markers Primary Secondary Colors, 12 Art Markers

These markers have two ends, one thick and one thin. They are the best coloring a drawing in and they last a long time.

Amazon Price: $15.96 (as of 11/07/2009) Buy Now

Prismacolor 92805 Prismacolor Scholar Colored Woodcase Pencils, 24 Assorted Colors/Set

These are a great starter set for young hands. I highly recommend them for working in color.

Amazon Price: $14.02 (as of 11/07/2009) Buy Now

Where to Buy Supplies 

Local or online

I usually buy my art supplies in bulk from online sources but sometimes it is nice to be able to go in and browse at a store.
Dick Blick
This place has it all!
Cheap Joe;s
Another place to find everything to do with art supplies.
Utrecht
We have a Utrecht store fairly close by and they are very helpful in finding just the right supply for your family.
Michael's
I love Michael's and use their weekly coupons when I am going to purchase expensive sets of pencils or markers.
Hobby Lobby
We don't have a Hobby Lobby near-by but I have been into one when I was in Texas. They have *lots* of art supplies.

Drawing Books to Use with These Supplies 

This list would be my suggestion for a basic art supply list for using with Drawing With Children, Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain, or any Mark Kistler drawing book.

Drawing with Children

Amazon Price: $12.21 (as of 11/07/2009) Buy Now

Mark Kistler's Draw Squad

Amazon Price: $15.60 (as of 11/07/2009) Buy Now

The New Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain

Amazon Price: (as of 11/07/2009) Buy Now

Art Related Lenses 

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Painting Supplies 

Just a few Ideas

Look for all these sorts of products at your local art supply store. Try Hobby Lobby or Michael's or Joanns for the best prices. I always use a coupon!

Dixon Prang Oval Watercolor Paint Set, 8-Color Set, Assorted Colors, Clamshell Case, Brush Included (00821)

These particular paints in the set are our favorite to take on the trail for our nature journals. They have lots of color and are easy to use.

Amazon Price: $5.22 (as of 11/07/2009) Buy Now

Reeves 12 Tube Watercolor Set

This set will get you going and provide lots of painting opportunities for your children. Teach them to gently squeeze out a bit into the paint palette and dab with a little wet brush to get started.

Amazon Price: $6.99 (as of 11/07/2009) Buy Now

Brush Bundle Value Pack With Holder

Look for a set of brushes that have both round and flat heads. Choose a variety of sizes for small details as well as for creating a watercolor wash on the paper.

Amazon Price: $8.99 (as of 11/07/2009) Buy Now

Plastic Paint Palette - 7'' w/10 Paint Wells

We always have a few of these on hand. You can allow the paints to dry on the palette and then reactivate with water the next time you paint.

Amazon Price: (as of 11/07/2009) Buy Now

Strathmore Cold Press Watercolor Paper Pad- 9x12 Inch

Look for paper that says "watercolor" or you won't get good results.

Amazon Price: $5.89 (as of 11/07/2009) Buy Now

Sketches from Our Family's Sketchbooks 

More practice with round things by HarmonyArtMom

More practice with r...

M Kistler robot by HarmonyArtMom

M Kistler robot

curated content from Flickr

Splurges for Your Art Supply Closet 

Staedtler Karat Watercolor Crayon Sets 12 Colors

These easy to use watercolor crayons make drawing and painting into one project. Use these along with a cup of water and a brush to make a paint finish to your crayon drawing.

Amazon Price: $9.99 (as of 11/07/2009) Buy Now

Oil Pastel Set with Carrying Case

Classic art supply for your advancing artists. More messy than anything else suggested here but still lots of great potential.

Amazon Price: $5.99 (as of 11/07/2009) Buy Now

More Fun Stuff to Have on Hand 

- Sculpey III Polymer Clay Multi Pack

Wonderful clay! Requires baking to harden but easy to work with.

Amazon Price: $13.37 (as of 11/07/2009) Buy Now

Omega Low Dust Nontoxic Colored Chalk, Assorted Colors, 12/Pack QRT305003

Messy but fun medium to experiment with for children.

Amazon Price: $5.04 (as of 11/07/2009) Buy Now

Crayola Model Magic Bucket: Assorted Colors (2 lb.)

This is great fun for younger children to work with.

Amazon Price: $14.28 (as of 11/07/2009) Buy Now

Watercolor Crayon Demonstration 

A short demonstration showing how to use watercolor crayons.
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Oil Pastel Demonstration  

Short demonstration showing beginners how to use oil pastels.
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New Guestbook 

Lensmaster

renee @ FIMBy wrote

Thanks for the tutorial. Based on your advice, and others, we are investing in some prismacolor art supplies. I wrote about it (and linked to here), with photos at my blog:
http://fimby.tougas.net/prismacolors

Thanks again for sharing your advice

Reply Posted September 10, 2008

LilliputStation wrote...

Thank you for this lens. My children are all really into art, but I am clueless when it comes to what I should buy for them. This is just what I needed.

ReplyPosted August 11, 2008

Wall_Murals_Girl wrote...

Great lens - I just gave you an awesometastic (5 star) rating! I love to draw with my kids too - check out my lens regarding our favorite art book author /www.squidoo.com/edemberley">Ed Emberley!

ReplyPosted June 25, 2008

Jimmie wrote...

A lovely lens, Barb!

ReplyPosted May 12, 2008

Lensmaster

Amanda wrote

Great work! I love art supplies. My favorite art supply has to be PrismaColor colored pencils. Thanks for sharing.

Reply Posted December 16, 2007

by HarmonyArtMom

Mom of four, twelve years of homeschooling and now two children in college, passionate about art, music, and nature study.

We use a mix of Charlotte...

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