The Most Popular Art Supply, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the art supply you think is the most popular!
Updated on May 2, 2024 06:29
In the colorful world of art, each artist finds their own unique blend of tools that best expresses their vision. Knowing which supplies are favored can greatly assist both seasoned artists and beginners in selecting products that are tried and trusted within the community.
This dynamic listing offers a way for you to cast your vote and influence which art supplies are celebrated as the top choices among your peers. By participating, you not only see what others prefer but also contribute to cultivating a resource that enriches everyone's artistic experience.
What Is the Most Popular Art Supply?
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162votesPaint is one of the most popular art supplies because it is versatile and can be used on a variety of surfaces. It comes in many colors and can be mixed to create new ones.Paint is a versatile DIY product used for adding color and protection to various surfaces. It is typically applied as a liquid, which dries to create a durable and decorative finish.
- Application: Brush, roller, or spray
- Drying Time: Varies by type, typically 1-2 hours to touch, 24-48 hours to fully cure
- Finish: Various options available, such as matte, satin, semi-gloss, or high-gloss
- Colors: Wide range of standard colors, with custom color mixing available
- Durability: Dependent on type and quality, ranging from average to high
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245votesPencils are a classic art supply that can be used for drawing, sketching, shading, and more. They come in various hardness levels and are easy to use.Pencils are versatile writing and drawing instruments that consist of a thin cylindrical graphite or colored core encased in a wooden barrel. They are widely used for sketching, note-taking, drafting, shading, and more.
- Core Material: Graphite
- Barrel Material: Wood
- Core Hardness: Varies (e.g., HB, 2B, 4B)
- Lead Size: Various options (e.g., 0.5mm, 0.7mm)
- Eraser: Most pencils have an eraser attached to the end.
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323votesBrushes are essential for painting and come in a variety of shapes and sizes. They can be used with different types of paint and can create various effects.Brushes are essential tools for creating artwork. They consist of a handle made from wood or plastic and bristles made from various materials such as natural hair or synthetic fibers. Brushes are primarily used for applying paint, ink, or other mediums to a surface. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes to cater to different artistic styles and techniques.
- Handle Material: Wood or plastic
- Bristle Material: Natural hair or synthetic fibers
- Shape: Round, flat, filbert, fan, etc.
- Size: Ranging from very fine to large
- Stiffness: Soft, medium, or stiff
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421votesPaper is a necessary art supply for drawing, painting, and printing. It comes in various colors, textures, and weights.Paper is a versatile and widely used art supply that serves as a blank canvas for various forms of creative expression. It is made from fibers extracted from plants, rags, or wood, which are processed into a thin and flexible sheet material. The surface of paper can vary, ranging from smooth to textured, allowing for different artistic techniques and effects. It is available in various sizes, weights, and colors, making it suitable for various art forms such as drawing, painting, printmaking, and collage.
- Weight: Paper weights are measured in grams per square meter (gsm), with lighter weights being around 60-90 gsm for sketching and heavier weights of 300+ gsm for watercolor and textured works.
- Size: Paper comes in different sizes, including standard sizes like A4 (8.27 x 11.69 inches) and A3 (11.69 x 16.53 inches), as well as custom sizes based on specific artistic requirements.
- Texture: Paper textures can range from smooth (hot-pressed) to rough (cold-pressed) and offer varying levels of tooth, which affects how media is absorbed and applied.
- Color: Paper can be produced in a wide array of colors, from traditional white and off-white shades to vibrant hues and even specialty colors like black or toned papers for specific artistic effects.
- Acid-free: Many papers are acid-free or have acid-free options, ensuring long-term preservation of artworks by minimizing yellowing and deterioration caused by acidity.
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519votesClay is a popular art supply for sculpting and modeling. It can be shaped and molded into various forms and can be fired to create permanent pieces.Clay is a type of court surface used in tennis which consists of crushed brick, shale, or stone. It is characterized by its soft and loose texture, offering players a slower and higher bouncing ball compared to other surfaces. The red clay variant is the most common and well-known type of clay court.
- Surface Texture: Loose and granular
- Ball Speed: Slower pace
- Ball Bounce: Higher bounce
- Player Sliding: Enhanced ability to slide
- Maintenance: Daily watering and regular maintenance required
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68votesInk is a versatile art supply that can be used for drawing, printing, and calligraphy. It comes in various colors and can be used with different types of pens and brushes.Ink is a type of liquid or gel pigment that is commonly used for writing, drawing, or printing purposes. It is known for its deep color and ability to adhere to various surfaces.
- Composition: Ink typically consists of a pigment (coloring agent), a binding agent (to hold the pigment together), and a solvent or carrier (to enable flow and application).
- Types: There are various types of ink, such as ballpoint ink, fountain pen ink, gel ink, India ink, and toner ink used in laser printers.
- Color Options: Ink comes in a wide range of colors, including black, blue, red, green, and many other hues.
- Permanent vs. Non-Permanent: Ink can be categorized as permanent or non-permanent based on its ability to resist fading or removal.
- Application: Ink is applied using various tools such as pens, brushes, or printing mechanisms like inkjet or ballpoint mechanisms.
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76votesCanvas is a popular art supply for painting. It is durable and comes in various sizes and shapes.Canvas is a versatile and widely used art supply that serves as a primary surface for various painting techniques. It is a sturdy and durable material that provides a smooth and stable foundation for artists to express their creativity.
- Material: Cotton or Linen
- Support Frame: Wooden frame
- Texture: Smooth or textured
- Sizes: Available in various standard sizes
- Primed: Pre-primed or unprimed options
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87votesMarkers are a popular art supply for drawing and coloring. They come in various colors and can be used on different surfaces.Markers are a commonly used art supply that consists of a barrel filled with a liquid or gel ink that is released through a felt or fiber tip. They are known for their versatility and ease of use, making them popular among artists, illustrators, and designers.
- Tip Size: Varies (fine to broad)
- Colors Available: Wide range of colors
- Ink Type: Dye-based or pigment-based
- Opacity: Can be transparent or opaque
- Blendability: Some markers are blendable
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98votesPastels are a popular art supply for drawing and painting. They come in various colors and can be used on paper, canvas, and other surfaces.Pastels are a type of art medium that are known for their vibrant and rich colors. They are made up of powdered pigments mixed with a binder, which gives them a soft and chalky consistency. Pastels can be used on various surfaces such as paper, canvas, and even textured materials like sandpaper. They are typically applied by drawing or rubbing the pastels onto the surface, allowing for a range of techniques and effects.
- Medium type: Dry
- Composition: Powdered pigment with a binder
- Consistency: Soft and chalky
- Color range: Vibrant and rich
- Surface compatibility: Paper, canvas, textured materials
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105votesEasels are a necessary art supply for painting and drawing. They provide a stable surface to work on and can be adjusted to different heights and angles.Easels are portable stands or supports for holding canvases, panels, or other surfaces while an artist is working on them. They are designed to provide a stable and adjustable platform for painting, drawing, or displaying artwork.
- Material: Easels can be made from various materials such as wood, aluminum, or steel.
- Types: There are different types of easels, including tripod easels, H-frame easels, and tabletop easels.
- Adjustability: Easels feature adjustable parts, allowing artists to alter the angle, height, and orientation of the working surface.
- Portable: Many easels are designed to be lightweight and foldable, making them easily transportable for outdoor painting or workshops.
- Stability: Easels are built to provide stability and prevent wobbling or tipping while working on artwork.
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Ranking factors for popular art supply
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QualityThe quality of the art supply is crucial as it will have a direct impact on the artist's work and creativity. High-quality materials often result in better art outcomes.
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VersatilityArtists prefer supplies that can be used for multiple techniques and styles. A versatile art supply will attract a broad range of artists.
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AvailabilityThe ease of access to the art supply is important. It should be readily available at local art stores and online.
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AffordabilityThe cost of the art supply plays a significant role in its popularity. Artists are more likely to use and recommend supplies that are reasonably priced and offer a good value for the money.
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Brand reputationThe trustworthiness of the brand offering the art supply is essential. Artists are more likely to use supplies from reputable companies known for producing high-quality materials.
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Feedback from artistsReviews and feedback from artists who have used the art supply are crucial in determining its popularity.
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Range of colors and optionsA wide variety of colors and options (such as brush sizes or pencil hardness) within the art supply line increases its appeal to a larger audience.
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Ease of useArt supplies that are easy to use, particularly for beginners, are likely to be more popular.
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Eco-friendlinessArt supplies that have minimal impact on the environment are becoming increasingly popular as more people become environmentally conscious.
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Longevity and durabilityArt supplies that are built to last and maintain their quality over time are more popular among artists, as they offer a better value for their investment.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular art supply. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or art supply is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 1817 views
- 199 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each art supply once every 24 hours. The rank of each art supply is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular art supply
Art supplies are the fundamental tools that artists use to create their masterpieces. From pencils and paints to canvases and brushes, there are countless art supplies available in the market. However, some art supplies are more popular than others, depending on the type of artwork being created. For this reason, we conducted a poll on StrawPoll to determine the most popular art supply among artists. The poll received an overwhelming response from the art community, and the results were quite fascinating. In the following sections, we'll delve into the details of the most popular art supply and explore the reasons behind its popularity.
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