Art Supplies I Regret Buying :(

Hey there, folks! I've talked about my favourite art supplies, but what supplies do I REGRET buying? Here are 5 art supplies that I wish I’d steered clear of. You live and learn.

[Disclaimer: This is just my opinion. If you enjoy using any of the items I’ve mentioned below and they work for you, that’s great!]

Oil Pastels

Oil pastels are a super common art supply that a lot of other artists swear by. I’ve bought them many times, and every time they end up sitting on my desk until they dry out. I’ve tried different brands, different kinds, tried using different paper, and they just don’t work for me, unless the look I’m going for is a muddy mess on the paper.

Watercolour Pencils

Why would you use watercolour pencils when you can just use regular watercolours? Lots of people like them for their smooth blending and convenience while on the go. Perhaps the biggest appeal of these pencils is that you don't have to use a palette to mix them. Mixing happens right there on the paper. Sounds pretty cool, right? This is why I’ve tried them out SO many times. Every time, I find their texture annoying and scratchy. It’s near impossible to get rid of your drawing lines and blend them out completely. If you find a good brand of watercolour pencils that are smooth and blendable, let me know.

Gouache

I’ve mentioned gouache a few times on this blog. It’s known as a mixture of acrylic and watercolour paint, so you’re supposed to get the best of both worlds with it. You always see videos on TikTok of people spreading smooth, creamy gouache on their paper and ending up with a beautiful piece. When I use it, it’s dry, chalky, and downright disappointing. I’ll stick to watercolour and acrylic, thanks.

Sketch Paper

Sketch paper is a special type of paper meant for quick pencil and pen sketches. It’s thin and often too smooth, making your medium smear across the page. I’d much rather use a thicker mixed media paper, even if it is more expensive. In fact, the paper is so thin it’ll tear immediately with one wrong move. And it can smell fear. Too stressful for me- I’ll go with normal paper.

Water Brushes

Water brushes aren’t too common among artists. They’re like regular paintbrushes, but have a hollow handle that you can fill with water. The handle can be squeezed to dispense water from the bristles. That way, you won’t need a glass of water while painting, especially with something like watercolour. These brushes work great, unless they’re leaking, like mine always do. You'd think since these brushes were designed for convenience, they'd fit a good amount of water in them, right? Nope! I tend to overestimate the amount of water I can fit in the brush and end up taking trip after trip to the sink to refill it. It’s much easier and more convenient to have a glass to rinse your brush.

And there you have it: 5 art supplies I wish I’d never bought. Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed this article. Remember, I release new ones every week. Before you go, don't forget to check out my shop!