Tools for a creative life
Anne’s Studio Favorites
The tools, books, and supplies I use for painting, sketching, teaching, and working on the iPad—gathered here so you can spend less time searching and more time creating.
01
My iPad Drawing Setup
I use the iPad to sketch, explore composition, develop paintings, and teach Procreate. Here are two ways to build your setup.
A wonderful everyday setup
Portable & versatile
A capable combination for sketching, working in Procreate, and developing creative ideas.
11-inch iPad ↗ Magic Keyboard ↗ Compatible stylus ↗My professional setup
The setup I use
A higher-end combination with the additional power and responsiveness I use for my own artwork and teaching.
My iPad Pro ↗ My Apple Pencil Pro ↗At the easel
Tablet holder for an easel
Keeps an iPad conveniently positioned while you paint, demonstrate, or work from a reference.
View on Amazon ↗Ready to begin?
Learn to paint and sketch in Procreate
02
Sketchbooks & Painting Surfaces
The sketchbooks, papers, boards, and panels I return to for studies, demonstrations, gouache, acrylic, and oil painting.
Sketchbook
Everyday sketchbook
A useful surface for regular observation, studies, and creative practice.
View on Amazon ↗Sketchbook
Leuchtturm sketchbook
A beautifully made book for keeping visual ideas and observations together.
View on Amazon ↗Board
Crescent board — 8 × 10
A convenient, sturdy size for studies and small finished paintings.
View on Amazon ↗Board
Crescent board — 6 × 8
A compact surface that encourages simple shapes and direct decisions.
View on Amazon ↗Paper
Arches paper
A trusted, substantial paper for water-based media and thoughtful studies.
View on Amazon ↗Sketchbook
Large Canson sketchbook
Generous space for larger marks, compositional exploration, and ongoing practice.
View on Amazon ↗Artboard
Canson artboards — 8 × 10
Ready-to-use boards in an approachable size for painting exercises and studies.
View on Amazon ↗Oil painting
Oil painting panels
A firm, practical painting surface for studio work or painting on location.
View on Amazon ↗03
Brushes for Small Paintings
You don’t need a large brush collection. These rounds give me enough variety for broad shapes and smaller, expressive marks in acrylic and gouache.
Princeton round
Size 8 round
A versatile smaller round for controlled shapes, drawing, and finishing marks.
View on Amazon ↗Round brush
Size 10 round
A useful middle size with enough width for shapes and a point for details.
View on Amazon ↗Round brush
Size 12 round
A larger round that encourages confident shapes while retaining a responsive tip.
View on Amazon ↗Synthetic round
Size 12 junior synthetic
An approachable larger brush for generous marks in acrylic and gouache.
View on Amazon ↗04
Practical Studio Helpers
A few decidedly unglamorous things can make painting much easier. These help me organize, mix, carry, and clean up.
Cleanup
Shop towels
Strong, absorbent towels that earn their place in a working painter’s studio.
View on Amazon ↗Carry
Painting tote bag
A practical way to keep painting materials together and ready to travel.
View on Amazon ↗Protect
Hard-case painting tote
Extra structure and protection for carrying supplies or delicate studio tools.
View on Amazon ↗Mixing
Ice-cube trays for acrylics
An inexpensive and surprisingly effective way to organize acrylic mixtures.
View on Amazon ↗Mixing
Reusable mixing cups
Useful for keeping larger acrylic mixtures organized and consistent.
View on Amazon ↗05
My Books
My books explore painting, attention, creativity, observation, and the practice of seeing more deeply.
Art · attention · creativity
Own the Big Picture
A daily practice for reclaiming attention, nurturing creativity, and living with greater intention.
View the book ↗Painting collection
Painted Seasons
A visual journey through seasons of observation, place, color, and painting.
View the book ↗Digital painting
If Paintings Could Talk
A collection of iPad works and the creative stories held within them.
View the book ↗Daily practice
Gratitude Journal
A gentle place to pause, notice, and build a meaningful practice of appreciation.
View the book ↗06
Books by Ian Roberts
Thoughtful guidance on composition, creative development, and building an authentic artistic practice.
Composition
Mastering Composition
A foundational guide to designing stronger, clearer, and more compelling paintings.
View the book ↗Creative practice
Creative Authenticity
An invitation to deepen your creative life and make work grounded in what matters to you.
View the book ↗