Every artist deserves tools that elevate their creative process. Whether you're just starting out or you’re building a professional studio, using the right materials can make all the difference. At Milan Art Institute, we believe in equipping artists with the best supplies to help unlock their full potential. From foundational tools to modern technology, here are 35 essential products every artist should use to bring their vision to life.
Ready to upgrade your toolkit? Explore the Milan Art Store and stock up on professional-grade supplies trusted by artists worldwide.
Brushes Every Artist Needs
1 - Flat Brush
Perfect for bold strokes, blocking in shapes, and backgrounds. We recommend the Flat Brush from Milan Art Store for its durability and smooth application.
2 - Round Brush
Ideal for details, line work, and varied stroke control. This Round Brush offers excellent precision and flow.
3 - Filbert Brush
The best of both worlds—soft edges with great coverage. The Filbert Brush is especially useful for blending.
4 - Fan Brush
Use for textures like fur, foliage, or blending skies.
5 - Liner Brush
Essential for fine lines, calligraphy, and signature details. Try the Liner Brush for controlled, delicate strokes.
6 - Large Bristle
Great for soft blending and glazing. This Large Bristle is perfect for watercolor and large-area work.
7 - Angular Brush
Useful for sharp corners, curves, and precision edges. An Angular Brush is also excellent for creating dynamic shapes.
Paints That Bring Your Vision to Life
8 - Artist-Grade Acrylics
Vibrant, fast-drying, and versatile - a staple for every modern artist. Check out our Acrylic Paint Set curated by professional artists.
9 - Professional Oil Paints
Rich color, long drying time for blending - ideal for classical and expressive works. The Milan Oil Set offers beautiful pigment and creamy consistency.
10 - Watercolors
Perfect for travel and ethereal, layered effects. Lightweight and portable, watercolors are great for expressive work.
11 - Gouache
For bold color with a matte finish. Gouache bridges the gap between watercolor and acrylic, ideal for illustrations.
12 - Alcohol Inks
Fluid, vibrant, and fun for abstract work. These are perfect for experimenting with unconventional surfaces. Buy at our art store.
13 - Spray Paint (Water-Based)
Great for mixed media and graffiti-style pieces. Choose water-based for low odor and safe indoor use.
14 - Paint Pens
Add graphics, controlled lines, or vibrant detail to your mixed media pieces. Excellent for highlights, outlines, or signatures.
Surfaces to Creating On
15 - Canvas Panels
Affordable and ideal for studies or plein air painting. Canvas Panels are pre-primed and ready to go.
16 - Stretched Canvas
A go-to for finished works in oil or acrylic. Stretched canvas provides the tension and texture most artists love.
17 - Wood Panels
Great for mixed media and ultra-smooth finishes. These panels offer a rigid surface perfect for collage and layering.
18 - Watercolor Paper (300gsm+)
Essential for water-based media with heavy washes. Heavier paper avoids warping and supports multiple layers.
19 - Mixed Media Sketchbook
Perfect for experimenting and on-the-go sketching. Our Mixed Media Sketchbook comes with deckled edge paper and is 100% cotton.
20 - Acrylic Paper Pads
Specialized surface that holds acrylic paint without warping. Great for practice sessions and technique refinement.
21 - Gesso Boards
Pre-primed, smooth, and ready for detail work. These offer a clean surface and are highly absorbent.
Studio Gear for a Productive Workspace
22 - Easel
Supports posture and workflow; ideal for any medium. An adjustable easel lets you work comfortably for hours. *Sign up for Pre-Enrollment of the Mastery Program to get a free tutorial on how to DIY a wall easel.
23 - Palette
Stay-Wet Pallette - Keeps acrylics workable for longer periods. It’s a lifesaver for artists who paint in multiple sessions or live in dry climates.
Glass Palette - Reusable, easy to clean, and great for mixing colors. Non-porous and eco-friendly.
24 - Drawing Proportion Tool
A Drawing Propotional Tool is a two-pronged tool used to proportionately adjust your source image to the exact scale you desire.
25 - Palette Knives
For mixing or applying thick paint with texture and energy. Using assorted pallette knife shapes and styles for mixing, scraping pigments and thick paint applications allow you the freedom to create.
26 - Lighting Kit
Know how to set up lighting in your studio is essential. Daylight-balanced bulbs help maintain accurate color perception. Ideal for evening or low-light studios. From budget-friendly clamp lights to high-CRI track lighting, there’s an option for every artist.
27 - Apron or Smock
Stay clean and keep your clothes safe while painting. Look for durable material with pockets.
28 - Storage Carts or Shelving
Organize supplies for easy access and reduced clutter. Rolling carts are perfect for dynamic studio spaces. Read here for more tips on organizing your studio.
Digital Tools for the Modern Artist
29 - iPad + Apple Pencil
Perfect for sketching, layout planning, and digital studies. Set up and manipulate your photo sources. Great for testing color palettes before committing.
30 - Procreate App or Photoshop
An intuitive and powerful drawing/painting apps for iOS. Layer-based workflow makes it ideal for mixed-media planning. For a one-time fee, choose Procreate. For a monthly fee and more photo editing capabilities, choose Photoshop.
31 - Canva.com
Canva is a simple design platform that helps artists create professional visuals, portfolios, and marketing materials with ease using templates and intuitive tools. This tool, is free but a upgrading to a professional account, will give you access to more capabilities.
32 - Digital Scanner
Capture your sketches and artwork for print or digital use. Look for high resolution and color accuracy.
33 - Light for Filming and Photography
If you share your process online, good lighting makes a difference. Essential for clear video and social content.
34 - Tripod and/or Phone Mount
Record your process to engage followers and market your work. A simple tripod or arm mount can dramatically improve your content.
35 - External Hard Drive or Cloud Storage
Back up your reference photos, artwork, and video content securely. Peace of mind for your entire art archive.
*Bonus - LegalZoom.com
We are not lawyers and do not give leagl advice but LegalZoom.com does. LegalZoom is an online service that simplifies legal tasks for artists, from setting up an LLC to protecting intellectual property. It offers easy access to legal forms, trademark registration, and expert advice, helping artists safeguard their work and build a professional business foundation.
Tools for Success
The tools you use directly influence your creative flow. While you don’t need all 35 items on day one, investing in high-quality supplies over time is one of the best things you can do for your growth as an artist. Whether you're layering oils, exploring mixed media, or sketching on your iPad, having the right products makes the journey smoother, more inspiring, and ultimately more fulfilling.
If you're ready to dive deeper and elevate your practice, check out our Mastery Program for a full roadmap to becoming a professional artist.
Milan Art Institute
Empowering Artists to Inspire and Impact the World Through Art
