If you’re wondering how I take videos of my painting process or what I use to travel with my art supplies, then look no further! This post is all about the top 5 art tools that I CANNOT live without!! If you want to also see a full list of the supplies I use, check out my Amazon shop!

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links which means if you purchase from a link, I may earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you. St. Cutherbert's Mill also sponsors my work.

My Top 5 Must-Have Art Tools 

1. Canvas Lamp Phone Holder

I’ve tried so many different types of phone holders…tripods, gooseneck, you name it. NOTHING is a sturdy as the Canvas Lamp! It’s also really pretty to look at, so I don’t mind leaving it up on my desk! 

2. A good brush holder

I LOVE this bamboo brush holder for putting all of my favorite brushes, pens and pencils in to take with me! I took it to my art retreats in France this past spring and it rolls up so nicely, kind of like a little sushi roll!

3. An acrylic desk organizer

Like this one or this one! This is just for keeping my paintings organized and stacked all pretty without having an ugly filing cabinet or box to look at. I have one for paintings that need to be scanned and another for paintings that need to be finished!

4. A good scanner

I’ve used the Epson V600 for YEARS and I love it. If you need to scan your work to make art prints, design stationery or use as graphics on a website, you will absolutely need a quality scan of your work!

5. Adobe Creative Suite

Once you have scans of your artwork, what do you do with them? Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator are the two main programs I use for editing my work, removing the paper background, color correcting and creating repeat patterns and print-ready files. My course Brand Plus Brand will teach you everything you need to know about creating patterns while Prep for Print is for art prints and sending files to a print shop!