Art Studio Tools

Some of my favorite tools are absolutely FREE, while others are definitely worth the investment. I also cherish a few studio tools that hold sentimental value because they were custom-made by my family and friends. 

Recently, I had a FREE pastel demonstration at THE OLD SCHOOL, and table space was minimal. I taped out various sizes & types of pastel paper onto a scrap cardboard box, which acted as a painting support for my light portable easel. The natural folds of the box were utilized to make a handy stand-up folding table display. The triangle-shaped box, when folded, was also an excellent way to transport my finished pastels smudge-free. I used the green painters' tape because it is not overly sticky and can be lifted on and off the cardboard for easy opening and closing of the display. It was not FANCY but fabulous in a pinch and FREE.

VIEW CATCHER is a handy viewfinder:  This is a well-made plastic tool that is durable, multi-purpose & easy to use. For under $10.00, the cost of this tool, SAYS don't waste your time making one. 

CHECK IT OUT on YouTube as other artists have demonstrated how they use the View Catcher to help in their artmaking.

I love the View Catcher and use it all the time when painting and drawing, as it helps with judging color temperatures and values, since the plastic tool is grey and falls within the mid-value range. It also helps to narrow down the perfect composition that will fit the paper or canvas. Alternatively, you can do it in reverse order and find the view first, then make the paper/ canvas fit the size of the view to paint. 

I will hold the View Catcher out in front of my eye, sliding the inside movable tab to the proportion of the paper/canvas I am working on.  OR find the BEST view first and make the paper/canvas size to fit. It's an excellent tool for still-life set-ups, life drawing, and outdoor landscape painting, as it helps remove the overwhelming distractions of all the visual stimuli coming from every direction, narrowing down a composition that works. 

I also use the View Catcher throughout my painting & drawing process, as it helps me check for any issues in color temperatures and values that might be out of place when stepping back from the painting. 

Drafting Tools: I have some old drafting tools that I find indispensable for every drawing and painting I create. The 16-inch triangle clear plastic tool, for instance, is perfect for setting up angles in design and drawing straight horizontal and vertical lines quickly. I also have a smaller triangle that works well for smaller sketch books. These tools are not only practical but also durable, making them a valuable addition to any artist's studio.

Carpenter's Level: After I finish a painting, I often need to photograph it for documentation or promotion. This is where the carpenter's level comes in handy. It helps me keep my paintings aligned with my camera, ensuring that the final photograph is straight and professional-looking. When it comes to hanging art, the level is a quick and reliable way to ensure that the artwork is perfectly straight on the wall. There's nothing worse than looking at a crooked painting, and this tool helps me avoid that!

Paper towels and painting palettes are expenses that can be reduced by using the free phone book for wiping and even mixing paint. It also cuts way down on rags and brushes cleaner during the painting process. The phone book's paper is smooth and has a durable sealed surface, so the painting and mediums don't soak in too far into the paper. Works excellently for the palette knife too. Once the phone book paper is filled up, just roll the page towards the spine of the phone book and rip from the top edge for easy disposal, and instantly there is a new clean sheet ready to use. 

Plastic, metal, wood, and glass throw-away containers are like Swiss army knives in my studio. I used to enjoy a lot of sushi when I lived in Vancouver, and over the years, I've found countless uses for the wooden chopsticks, from spreading glue on large areas to mixing paint. These everyday items inspire me to think outside the box and find creative solutions in my art practice. 

Scraps of wood that come with shipping goods are often handy, especially when I am painting a flat surface and want to lift it off the tabletop. I always use it under my canvas and panels when I apply gesso, so it doesn't stick to the newspaper and leave a bad lumpy drip edge stuck with newsprint. 

The plastic food containers come in handy for holding various items and are great for mixing paint, varnishes, etc. When they are finished, they can be recycled. 

I use tin cans of various sizes for varnishes and brush cleaners, and they work great for pencil and brush holders.

It is always a problem to find places in the house and studio to store art supplies such as large sheets of drawing & pastel paper so it doesn't get damaged. My sister Colleen and her ex-partner, Larry, designed and handcrafted a portable paper holder for me that I could also use as a portable tabletop if needed. The inside has an elastic strap that can hold the paper flat when in transportation. The portable paper holder works well for long-term storage of 18" x 24" paper sizes. This can be slid under a bed or tucked into a closet, as its slim design allows it to be stored in a variety of places.

I got the idea of the armrest from a friend of mine who loves to paint ICON-style paintings, and she bought her armrest from her Russian Icon painting teacher, as it helps to keep your arms and hands OFF the painting surface. When I saw this handy tool, I wanted one too! I did an exchange with a carpenter neighbor and had him make me 2 sizes for different widths of paper, and he made the armrests out of scraps of wood, sanding the edges nice and smooth. I use the armrests all the time for detailed work and also love the straight edge of the wood, which allows for drawing and painting consecutive lines without using a pre-drawn guide.

May some of my ideas for studio tools help you out in your artistic pursuits! Minaz