Jo Paynter Creates

Want to be an artist?

Want to create art, but don't know where to start?

Start where you are. Use what you have. Stay within your budget, and create what brings you joy.

Online or in a store, the sticker shock of art supplies is enough to make any artist gasp. In some countries, they’re nearly double what artists elsewhere pay. Don’t let the high prices deter you from your goal. You don’t need fancy tools to start your art journey. Your curiosity and willingness to begin are the best tools to unlock new possibilities.

I remember when I started out; I bought a few tubes of student-grade acrylic paint, a couple of budget-friendly canvases, and some brushes that any genuine artist would have scoffed at. But they got me started. By the way, I still buy only inexpensive brushes for the work I do. When they wear out, I purchase more. If I were a true watercolorist, I’d see the value of investing in high-quality brushes and using the proper paper—that’s when you achieve optimal results. But wait until you’ve experimented for a while before you dive into quality supplies.

Use what you can find around your house and experiment. Maybe your kids have a cheap watercolor set, colored pencils, or even crayons. Did you previously purchase some acrylic paints that you haven’t put to use yet? At a dollar or thrift store, you could find reasonably priced supplies. Get some cheap artwork at a thrift store, cover it with gesso, and let it become the foundation for a brand-new artwork. Boost your creativity by brainstorming the possibilities of what you can craft with just a few simple materials.

Most importantly, just start and enjoy your creative time.