Prismacolor Art Supplies

September 10, 2008

We have a very modest homeschooling budget and I can be kind of cheap (Damien is curing me of this) so I initially balked at the cost of buying quality art supplies. But with three artistic, creative children this became a necessity, not luxury. I'd rather buy these than boxes of curriculum anyway.

After doing a little research I settled on some basics for the studio (aka the learning room/former dining room). We've started with archival quality paper (which we already owned), sketching pencils, kneaded erasers (happily, these are cheap), Prismacolor Colored Pencils and Prismacolor Watercolor Colored Pencils. Next up Prismacolor Premier Double-Ended Markers, Prismacolor Art Stix and maybe pastels.

Since I'm a photographer artist and not a painting/drawing/sketching artist I benefited from reading Art Supplies for Kids by artist and homeschooler, Barbara McCoy/Harmony Art Mom. I appreciated the tutorials since this mixed flower bed photo is the closest I get to painting.

My kids have the following to say about the new watercolor pencils, their favorites so far.

• "It's easier to do watercolors." - Celine
• "I feel like I can do better drawings with them." - Laurent
• "I drawed a candy store with the watercolors. It's very colorful." - Brienne

Any artists out there who would recommend additional or different products for children? Also, what about DVD or on-line lessons and tutorials - free or otherwise. I'd really love to hear your feedback.