The Artist’s Toolkit

The Artist’s Toolkit is your one-stop library of materials we return to again and again at Smudge. This is not about fancy supplies or perfect sets. It’s about tools that invite play, work hard across projects, and give artists of all ages freedom to explore.

Every list is built from what we actually use in the studio. You will see Australian suppliers mentioned (because that’s where Smudge is based), but these materials are universal. Use what you can find locally, improvise where you need to, and make it your own.

Paints

These are the paints we reach for when we want colour to take the lead!

  • Washable Poster Paint (Tempera) – Zart Art, Micador Early Start

  • Liquid Watercolours – Zart Art, Colour Splash, Blick, EC

  • Paint Sticks – Zart Art, Kwik Stix, Our Life in Colour

  • Watercolour Palettes – Micador, Kadink

  • Acrylic Paints (we only use these for gelli printing) – Kadink from Officeworks, Mont Marte, Liquitex Basics

Drawing & Mark Making

Drawing tools are the backbone of every art space. They are often the first thing kids reach for, and the easiest way to shift between quick ideas and long explorations. The more variety you have, the more chances artists get to experiment with line, texture, and layering.

  • Oil Pastels – Zart Art, Pentel


  • Chalk Pastels – Zart Art, Faber-Castell


  • Markers – Crayola, Micador


  • Posca Paint Pens – Uni Posca


  • Coloured Pencils – Faber-Castell, Staedtler


  • Grey Leads – Staedtler Noris or your everyday HB pencils


  • Sidewalk Chalk – Micador, Crayola

Surfaces & Paper

Good paper matters. You want it thick enough to hold water and colour, but cheap enough that you do not mind when the pile disappears in an afternoon. Cardboard offcuts, coffee filters, drop sheets; they all have a place here.

  • Cartridge Paper – Zart Art, Officeworks


  • Watercolour Paper – Canson, Strathmore


  • A3 and A2 Cardstock – Officeworks


  • Recycled Cardboard – Reverse Art Truck or any packaging


  • Coffee Filters – supermarkets or bulk packs


  • Canvas Drop Sheets – Bunnings, Inspirations Paint

Sculpture & 3D

Sculpture is where flat ideas get to stand up! These materials invite building, balancing, and reshaping. They are sturdy enough to hold wild experiments, yet open enough to be used in a hundred different ways.

  • Florist Wire – Spotlight, Zart Art


  • Pipe Cleaners – Zart Art, dollar stores


  • Wooden Blocks or Bases – Reverse Art Truck, Bunnings offcuts


  • Air Dry Clay – DAS, Mont Marte


  • Plasticine – Newplast, Zart Art


  • Beads, Buttons, Bells – Spotlight, thrift stores


  • Sticks, Bark, Pinecones – foraged treasures


  • Playdough – homemade or Micador

Collage & Construction

Collage is freedom in its simplest form. Cut, rip, layer, stick. There are no mistakes here, only combinations you haven’t tried yet. I absolutely love collage because scraps get a (beautiful) second life.

  • Old Magazines, Maps, Books – thrifted or recycled


  • Coloured Paper, Painted Paper – Zart Art, Officeworks


  • Foil, Cellophane, Bubble Wrap – reuse from packaging


  • Fabric Scraps, Ribbons, Yarn – Spotlight, op shops


  • Washi Tape – MT, Zart Art


  • Glue Sticks and PVA Glue – Bostik, Elmer’s


  • Scissors – Micador, Fiskars


  • Hole Punches and Shape Punches – Spotlight, EK Tools

Printmaking

Prints are about the thrill of the reveal. You never quite know what will happen until you peel the paper back. The surprise is the point.

  • Gelli Plates – Zart Art, Gelli Arts


  • Acrylic Paints – Kadink, Mont Marte


  • Brayers and Rollers – Speedball, Zart Art


  • Foam Sheets and Stamps – Spotlight, Dollar Stores


  • Leaves and Textured Materials – foraged and found


  • Salad Spinner – IKEA, Kmart


  • Plexiglass or Clear Clipboards – office suppliers

Sensory Play

Sensory play is messy, physical, and irresistible. It is how children test ideas with their whole bodies, not just their hands. The sounds, textures, and colours are as important as anything they make, which is why this kind of play sits right at the heart of Smudge.

  • Coloured Rice – DIY with poster paint


  • Split Peas, Dried Beans, Lentils – supermarkets


  • Desiccated Coconut – supermarket bulk section


  • Water Tubs and Scoops – Kmart, IKEA


  • Petals, Leaves, Sand, Grass Clippings – foraged and seasonal


  • Glitter and Sequins (optional) – Spotlight, craft stores


  • Funnels, Jars, Scoops, Sieves – kitchen supplies

Tools & Extras

These are the behind the scenes heroes! They don’t get the glory, but without them things grind to a halt. They make the messy bits easier and keep the focus on the joy of making.

  • Reusable Squeezy Bottles – IKEA refillables, condiment bottles


  • Sponges, Toothbrushes, Forks, Fly Swatters – repurpose what you have


  • Spray Bottles – garden or hair spray bottles


  • Aprons or Old Shirts – anything protective


  • Rags or Paper Towels – for wiping, blotting, blot printing


  • Buckets and Trays – for mixing, sorting, and catching spills

The Smudge Starter Kit

If you are just getting started and want a basket of materials that will take you far, here’s where to begin. With these ten supplies you can paint, collage, sculpt, print, and dive into sensory play without needing much else.

Smudge Essentials


  • Washable Poster Paints (Tempera)


  • Liquid Watercolours


  • Oil Pastels


  • A3 Cartridge Paper


  • Recycled Cardboard


  • Florist Wire or Pipe Cleaners


  • Glue Sticks and PVA Glue


  • Coloured Rice or Split Peas (for sensory play)


  • Beads and Buttons (for sculpture and collage)


  • Reusable Squeezy Bottles (IKEA refillables are perfect)

Whats missing from this list that you love using?