Painting must-haves for both work and play

There’s nothing like a fresh set of art supplies to give you that brand-new feeling and like you can take on your next project with a renewed energy. Whether you use paints for your small business needs, or for your own leisure after-hours, it’s essential to make sure you have great-quality products on hand so you can create your best work. We’ve rounded up the acrylics, brushes, boards, and palette you’ll need for success. From ceramics to signs to furniture, and landscapes to portraits to still lifes, these products are well-made, reasonably-priced, and will help you to create beautiful, lasting work.

Crafts 4 All Artist Paintbrushes

This versatile paintbrush set includes 12 different-sized brushes that work with acrylics, oils and watercolors. With short wooden handles, rust-resistant aluminum ferrules, and nylon bristles, they’re well-crafted and easy to clean with soap and water. Previous reviewers reported the bristles stayed intact after multiple uses, making these a solid investment, whether you’re painting items to sell or creating a painting of your favorite landscape for fun.

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Glitter Acrylic Paint Set

Made in Germany, this vibrant, glittery paint set is highly pigmented, durable, and works on any surface: canvas, ceramics, wood, metal, plastic, and fabric. With a full array of colors represented (red, orange, purple, green, blue, yellow and black), you’ll have a rainbow of choices for your painting needs. Previous reviewers noted this glittery paint adds a striking dimension to their work, especially nature-inspired subjects like flowers and leaves.

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CRAFT Metallic Acrylic Paint Set 8 Colors

This striking paint set, also made in Germany according to the highest quality standards, includes metallic gold, silver, bronze, copper, black, blue, green, and red. Use the colors on their own or mix them with solid colors for an effect that pops off the canvas. Previous reviewers reported this paint is extremely well-pigmented and doesn’t lose its glossy shine over time.

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Oval-Shaped Wooden Palette 11.75x15.75 in

Nothing says “true artist” like a traditional wooden palette to work wonders from. With a classic oval shape for right or left hand use, this artist’s must-have is durable and cleans easily. Previous reviewers said it’s lightweight, easy to grasp, and is large enough to hold several colors at once.

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Artlicious 9x12 Hardboard 6-Pack

This pack of 6 hardboards (9 x 12 inches) is a quality alternative to canvas. The boards are ⅛-inch thick and the ideal blank slates for still lifes, portraits, landscapes, and abstracts. Previous reviewers reported these hardboards are solid quality, smooth to paint on, and durable enough for several layers of mixed media, such as heavy decoupage.

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Whether you’re painting for work or play, these essentials are quality additions to your creative repertoire. The paints will last for several sessions, and the paintbrush set and wooden palette can be gently washed with soap and water and used again and again. In the words of writer Kurt Vonnegut, “To practice any art, no matter how well or badly, is to make your soul grow. So do it.” Whatever your role – artisan, small business owner, or hobbyist – you’ll love these thoughtful additions to your artist’s toolbox, and making your soul grow one stroke of the brush at a time.