Ciao's Best Art Supplies and Art Bargain Ideas

This photo by Nancy Medina of her artwork is a perfect example of her beautiful brilliant florals. Whether you're a casual or expert painter, Nancy's list of art supplies is a must for any artist.  Take a look at her on-line classes and website also.   See her list of brilliant colors and supplies here.

   

I also follow Mikki Senkarik's art blog.  She's inspired by the beautiful landscapes and settings of Europe.  Obviously I love her work and she always provides free advice to anyone who signs up for her blog.  Nancy and her husband invented their own color mixing system which is a must see.  Please view their system here: 

Note: Most of the supplies mentioned in Nancy and Mikki's 

blogs are also the same John Del Monte taught me in our art class in Lucca, Italy.  

You can see my post here.

I recently tried to become more organized in my own work by spending $20.00! (Bed Bath and Beyond) on this cube system.  My grandson easily put it together in the configuration I needed.  Simple, it works fine for holding lightweight and smaller canvasses. The largest canvas is 24" here.  This cube kit comes with two shelves which I wanted to use to provide space at the bottom.  I usually paint with gallery wrapped canvasses so I'll have to wait and see how this holds up for those.  I had many of these thinner canvasses around and needed to use them.  You could also use a stainless cart with casters but this was more economical.

Here's a photo showing the wires I rigged to separate the front two WET paintings so they could dry before touching the others, an idea from another Pinterest post.  

  

I was keeping my painting supplies on top of my industrial table as I painted, however; I recently purchased the three tiered cart that now stores my paints and rolls easily under my table at the end of a work day.  This item was also economical and easy to assemble--I researched quite a few of them on-line and in stores.  Available in several colors at Amazon here

This is much more organized and makes room for my Olive to watch me paint!  

Since we're on the discussion of painting, 
please take a look at the art class my cousin 
and I took in Lucca, Italy by Master, Fine Artist,
John DelMonte here.