Use what you have, make more, and spend less
It starts with a video. Some artist on YouTube is using a brush, a stencil, or a specialty ink that looks like absolute magic. Instantly, I’m convinced: This is the missing piece. The secret ingredient. The thing that will finally make my art effortless and amazing.
Next thing I know, I’m adding it to my cart.
If you’re anything like me, you love art supplies—maybe a little too much. There’s something intoxicating about fresh paints, pristine sketchbooks, and specialty papers I convince myself I must have. And don’t get me started on stencils, mark-making tools, or that irresistible handmade ceramic palette.
But here’s the kicker: more than once, I’ve excitedly opened a package only to realize… I already own the thing I just bought. Yep. The same ink, the same obscure brush, even the same expensive paint set—twice. Clearly, my brain has a short attention span when it comes to art supply hoarding.
The Illusion of the Perfect Tool
At some point, I had to admit: I wasn’t just collecting supplies—I was chasing an illusion. Some part of me believed that if I just found the right tool, my art would be better. That the perfect brush or ink or paper would unlock some hidden creative genius.
But the truth?
No tool is going to make me a better artist. The only thing that will is actually making art.
I had to ask myself: Am I spending more time collecting supplies than actually using them? And, uh… sometimes the answer was yes.
Using What I Have
So, I’ve been trying something new: actually using the stuff I already own. Instead of chasing the next shiny object, I’m leaning into what’s already in my studio.
- Shopping my own stash.Before I buy anything, I check my supplies. Nine times out of ten, I already have something that will work just as well.
- Limiting new purchases. I’m not saying I’ll never buy another art supply (let’s be real), but I’m being more intentional. Do I really need it, or do I just love the idea of it?
- Experimenting with what I have. Some of my best discoveries have come from pushing the limits of my existing tools. Mixing unexpected colors, layering random scraps into collage—creativity thrives on limitations.
- Remembering that art is about process, not products. The best tool is the one you actually use. A $5 brush that I grab every day is worth more than a $50 one collecting dust.
Make More, Buy Less
At the end of the day, it’s not about having more—it’s about doing more with what you already have. If you’ve been eyeing that new set of paints or the latest trendy art gadget, maybe take a pause. Dig through your stash. Play.
Because the spark you’re chasing? It doesn’t live in the checkout cart. It’s already in your hands.
