This page provides a practical list of art supplies for teachers and K–12 classrooms, covering essential materials for drawing, painting, sculpture, and mixed media projects. All materials listed are based on real classroom use and selected for reliability, affordability, and versatility in student projects.
What IS a "good" budget?
Before looking at a budget number, count how many students you will see in 1 day of teaching, or an average day. (For me, 75 students per day in my block schedule) My "rule of thumb" is that a good program needs about $20 per daily child for the year to maintain an art class, but it will be a 2D focused experience with little 3D exposure, likely not a kiln and clay. (Start up costs are MUCH higher) A strong 2D/3D program should account for about $40 per daily student per year. So for my 75 student per day I need a minimum budget of $2000 for the year for a strictly drawing/painting class, or $3000 per year for a class that offers the inclusion of sculpture/clay components. I understand though that many get less than this, some get none, and a few get more. I personally use Donor's Choose to augment my budget and promote my account on my social media pages.
Before looking at a budget number, count how many students you will see in 1 day of teaching, or an average day. (For me, 75 students per day in my block schedule) My "rule of thumb" is that a good program needs about $20 per daily child for the year to maintain an art class, but it will be a 2D focused experience with little 3D exposure, likely not a kiln and clay. (Start up costs are MUCH higher) A strong 2D/3D program should account for about $40 per daily student per year. So for my 75 student per day I need a minimum budget of $2000 for the year for a strictly drawing/painting class, or $3000 per year for a class that offers the inclusion of sculpture/clay components. I understand though that many get less than this, some get none, and a few get more. I personally use Donor's Choose to augment my budget and promote my account on my social media pages.
These are supplies I actually use in my classroom
|
Here are links for advice on:
Ordering Supplies & more "bang" for your buck. Supplies at home when teaching remotely. Supplies to start NEW art room Low or NO Budget help for supplies Amazon Art Supplies that make our jobs easier.
(Using my links gets you a low price & supports my blog) Best safe cardboard cutter! Bind your own sketchbooks & $ave! Great for cutting packaging & more. Pencils that blend with water! My Fav! Best paint dispenser! Scissors for cardboard & more! Transfer images by tracing. So Easy! Posters for your art room (Wait for a sale) |
|
Books for your classroom:
Elementary Art History Book Series
Pedagogy Help (How I teach art after 35 years!!)
If you like to teach based on the Elements & Principles This Book is an organized compilation of 25 lessons from each of the following 2 books...
50 lessons differentiated for k-12 (with worksheets you can copy!)
51 MORE lessons differentiated for k-12 (with worksheets you can copy!)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
1-Day Sub Plans you can copy and have low or no impact on supplies.
Extended Leave Sub Plans, FULL COLOR or the economy Black & White edition.
SEL Lessons you can copy for your classes
How to start a FIRST YEAR teaching. (Free advice HERE TOO)
Art Assessments (Benchmarks, tests, quizzes, and so much more you may copy for your students)
Middle & High School Lesson Planning Workbook (Individual STUDENT EDITION)
Advanced Art Class Workbook (TAB/Independent Study) plus a STUDENT EDITION.
More information about the books, video walk-throughs available at Firehouse Publications.
Shoes: If you have sore feet or plantar fasciitis:
Men's Hoka Bondi (Wide Feet)
Men's Hoka Gaviota (regular sizes)
Woman's Bondi (Wide Sizes)
Women's Gaviota (regular sizes)
Just want good inserts for your shoes: THESE are the one's I've been using since 2020.
Elementary Art History Book Series
Pedagogy Help (How I teach art after 35 years!!)
If you like to teach based on the Elements & Principles This Book is an organized compilation of 25 lessons from each of the following 2 books...
50 lessons differentiated for k-12 (with worksheets you can copy!)
51 MORE lessons differentiated for k-12 (with worksheets you can copy!)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
1-Day Sub Plans you can copy and have low or no impact on supplies.
Extended Leave Sub Plans, FULL COLOR or the economy Black & White edition.
SEL Lessons you can copy for your classes
How to start a FIRST YEAR teaching. (Free advice HERE TOO)
Art Assessments (Benchmarks, tests, quizzes, and so much more you may copy for your students)
Middle & High School Lesson Planning Workbook (Individual STUDENT EDITION)
Advanced Art Class Workbook (TAB/Independent Study) plus a STUDENT EDITION.
More information about the books, video walk-throughs available at Firehouse Publications.
Shoes: If you have sore feet or plantar fasciitis:
Men's Hoka Bondi (Wide Feet)
Men's Hoka Gaviota (regular sizes)
Woman's Bondi (Wide Sizes)
Women's Gaviota (regular sizes)
Just want good inserts for your shoes: THESE are the one's I've been using since 2020.
Recommended Art Supplies for the Classroom
Links will take you to the supplies I use:
Drawing & Sketching
Painting
Paper & Surfaces
Collage & Mixed Media
Sculpture & 3D
Printmaking
Fiber Arts
Photography & Digital / Media Arts
Classroom Organization & Utility
Drawing & Sketching
- Drawing paper 12 x 18 in / multi-purpose white paper (class pack/ream) 18 x 12 HERE.
- Newsprint paper 18 x 24 (for practice) Medium 12 x 18.
- Manila paper 9 x 12 ream
- Basic graphite pencils (HB, 2B, 4B — class set)
- Erasers — (class pack)
- Kneaded erasers
- Blending stumps / tortillons
- Rulers (class set)
- Sharpeners — handheld and electric classroom sharpener
- Black fine line markers / Regular Tip (class pack)
- Chalk / oil pastels (class set)
- Watercolor Colored pencils — use like pencils, blend with water. (Love these!)
Painting
- Tempera paint — (liquid, washable)
- Tempera paint cakes / blocks (great for elementary)
- Acrylic paint — basic class set (Heavy Body Acrylics for H.S.)
- Watercolor sets Economy, and these Better-Quality, — individual student sets
- Paintbrushes — basic classroom set (assorted sizes, flat and round)
- Palette trays (reusable, class set)
- Plastic paint cups with lids to store paint
- Paint Mixing Sticks (Also work as craft sticks)
- Aprons Big Kids / Aprons Smaller Kids (class set)
Paper & Surfaces
- Construction paper (class pack, assorted colors)
- Card stock / heavy white paper
- Black construction paper (Large 18 x 24)
- Chip board
- Class sets Canvas boards 8 x 10 inch, 11 x 14 inch, 16 x 20 inch, 18 x 24 inch, 12 x 12 inch
- Foam board, 1/4 inch thick Ghost Line Foam Board (For architecture projects)
Collage & Mixed Media
- Glue sticks (bulk class pack)
- Elmer's Glue All (gallon jug)
- Mod Podge (Gallon)
- Tissue paper (assorted colors)
- Masking tape / colored artist tape
Sculpture & 3D
- Air dry clay — basic white / Epoxy Sculpt Clay (2 part)
- Modeling tools / clay tools for students (sets)
- Wire for sculpture: Stovepipe, Aluminum,
- Class Set Pliers (Cut & Bend)
- Plaster Mache
Printmaking
- Brayers / rollers (6 set)
- Water-based printing ink (black and colors)
- Foam printing plates (inexpensive alternative to linoleum)
- Linoleum / speedy cut blocks
- Linoleum carving tools (individual sets)
Fiber Arts
- Yarn — assorted colors (bulk)
- Embroidery thread / floss
- Burlap fabric
- Needles — tapestry and embroidery (class set)
Photography & Digital / Media Arts
- Phone Gooseneck for holding phone for videos
- Phone stands / tripods
- Green screen backdrop
- Lightbox / light pad for tracing
Classroom Organization & Utility
- Large Portfolio storage
- Spray bottles (for wetting paint)
- Sponges (class pack)
Supply Wish Lists
Under $100
Silk Screen Class Kit $45
Block Printing Kit $60
Needle Felting tools $25 and Wool $30
Large Class Loom $45
Epoxy Clay airdry clay 4 pounds $57 to $70
Clear Packaging tape for sculptures $45 for 36 rolls.
Ceramic Tools $12 per 18 piece kit.
Canary Cardboard Cutters 10 pieces $70
Professional Hot Glue Gun $35
Posca Markers 29 Color Reversible Set $60; 15 Color Standard Set $30
Professional Large Watercolor Paper $75
Prisma Color Pencils 72 count set $60 each
Watercolor Pencils Class Pack $70
Heavy Duty Stapler – Make your own sketchbooks $20
Spray Glue for mounting artwork and more $25 per can.
Sketchbooks, 24 pack for $20
Plaster Gauze 50 pack $85 or 30 for $50
Cyanotype Solutions for solar prints $30
Sketchbooks $8 when on sale up to $30.
Under $500
Gelli Plate Class Packs: 8x10 inch $220, 5x5 inch $130, 5x7 inch. $150
Printing Press $499
Well rated standard Color Printer $499
Drying Rack: Counter Top $170;
Throwing Wheel for pottery $175
Nice Paper Cutter $400
Commercial Grade Paper Cutter, 400 sheets at a time $300
Sewing Machine for the classroom $220
Giant Classroom (tapestry) loom $250
Under $1000
Circut Maker 3 Kit $400-$600
Over $1000
Display Wall 7 Panel or 11 panels.
Color POSTER printer $2200-$3000
iPads, Photoshop Bundles, etc…
Under $100
Silk Screen Class Kit $45
Block Printing Kit $60
Needle Felting tools $25 and Wool $30
Large Class Loom $45
Epoxy Clay airdry clay 4 pounds $57 to $70
Clear Packaging tape for sculptures $45 for 36 rolls.
Ceramic Tools $12 per 18 piece kit.
Canary Cardboard Cutters 10 pieces $70
Professional Hot Glue Gun $35
Posca Markers 29 Color Reversible Set $60; 15 Color Standard Set $30
Professional Large Watercolor Paper $75
Prisma Color Pencils 72 count set $60 each
Watercolor Pencils Class Pack $70
Heavy Duty Stapler – Make your own sketchbooks $20
Spray Glue for mounting artwork and more $25 per can.
Sketchbooks, 24 pack for $20
Plaster Gauze 50 pack $85 or 30 for $50
Cyanotype Solutions for solar prints $30
Sketchbooks $8 when on sale up to $30.
Under $500
Gelli Plate Class Packs: 8x10 inch $220, 5x5 inch $130, 5x7 inch. $150
Printing Press $499
Well rated standard Color Printer $499
Drying Rack: Counter Top $170;
Throwing Wheel for pottery $175
Nice Paper Cutter $400
Commercial Grade Paper Cutter, 400 sheets at a time $300
Sewing Machine for the classroom $220
Giant Classroom (tapestry) loom $250
Under $1000
Circut Maker 3 Kit $400-$600
Over $1000
Display Wall 7 Panel or 11 panels.
Color POSTER printer $2200-$3000
iPads, Photoshop Bundles, etc…
This is how I organize my supplies: