Big Ass Paper - Bristol paper, water color paper, art journals, brown paper bags, Butcher Paper, backs of envelopes - whatever is the biggest paper you can afford. I use Bristol paper that is 24x36 and I pin it to a huge, thick piece of styrofoam that I use as an easel it allows me to feel free to use ALL the papers. When I’m really feeling it I will use a big big canvas.
Drug Store Watercolors - CHEAP! is the key word… whatever you will allow yourself to use ABUNDANTLY! Water colors, Student Grade Acrylic Paint, Poster/Tempera paints and glitter glue are cheap, easy to get in small sets and are really fun to mess around with. Don’t forget that this could also look like markers, crayons, or any odd art supplies you can steal from the kids’ art stash.
Shitty Brushes - I LOVE the cheap brushes that you can get at the hardware store… they are perfect for loosening up your marks and bringing in a playful feeling. I also like really big brushes or things that look like brushes that are traditionally used in other ways… think wallpaper brushes and stuff like that. The other thing is that I like things that create texture or surprising patterns. Kitchen implements often get repurposed as things to paint with. I’ve also been known to paint with bubble wrap, string, straws and that little thing that goes around your coffee cup to keep you from burning your cute little fingers.
Drop Cloth - I like a natural fibers one that I can get at the local hardware store. They’re a little more expensive, but it’s not totally unattractive so I don’t mind leaving it out a while. Plastic sheeting also works really well or for smaller spaces its sometimes cool to use a cookie sheet and put your whole set up on that.
Grubby Clothes - I want something that I don’t mind getting paint on so that I don’t have to think about anything except being free to play and paint and make a mess.
Fancy Journal vs. Legal Pad and pen - what will you commit to using? What do you have on hand? Use that! Some people prefer to journal digitally using a “notes” app on their phone. Literally wherever process you’ll commit to using is the one that is perfect for you.
Cards, Crystals, and Incense, OH MY! - We don't use any music during our painting process, the idea is that you are staying connected with your intuition and really learning to tune into that and I kind of hold the same for all of the other things that could become a distraction. I like to use various tools to set up my space as it feels good to me. If we were together I would always have my singing bowl, a deck of oracle cards, a candle or 10 and my favorite incense and essential oils. I use those items before I begin to paint and then when I’m feeling grounded and ready I’ll turn the music off and bring my attention fully to my inner knowing.