How to Organize Your Art Supplies

So you have a lot of art supplies and not a lot of space? Me too. Even if I had my old studio back which was a large room with a wall of drawers, still, that place had to be organized. Currently I have a small corner in my room and I make it work. I love to be organized, it keeps me sane. Here are my tips to keep everything you have organized and your sanity in check.  

1. Simplicity- Simple is clean and refreshing.

• If you have old art supplies that you just never get around to using (oh ya maybe someday...not) then give them away. You will feel good about it I promise, and that lucky person you gifted to may just surprise you with a big smile and art piece later.
• Go through your supplies and trash anything that does not work.
• Art you hate but you hold onto anyways? Every artist has those art pieces that took a lot of time but just didn't turn out. Seek another opinion on whether to sell, gift, or to trash. Some of our work just doesn't turn out and isn't worth keeping however I say seek another opinion because most people are hardest on themselves and someone else might love it. Take note of those that may love it and gift it for a special occasion. 

2. Keep Things Together in Categories. Containers and baskets your friend and help you put supplies you use frequently together in the space spot. Even in drawers I keep things separated by uses. 

• Every medium should have it's own spot. I keep my acrylics, watercolors, oils, pastels...I have a lot...all separated from each other in baskets. I recommend the same thing for drawers. Brushes should not be used with different mediums, so I keep a container of brushes for each medium.
• All papers should be together. Even if you think well I will never use watercolor paper with oils, it just isn't easy to keep papers nice and with the supplies. Papers are easy to bend, get water on and so on.  Actually keeping the papers together will keep them nice and handy. I have found wall hanging organizers (affiliate) are very handy.
• Put paintbrushes in jars brush up. This helps them dry out and keep them contained for each medium.
• Markers and pens should always be contained on their sides or you will find the ink running to the bottom. Keep them separated in categories (pens, pencils, markers, sharpies) I love to use these cheap containers here (affiliate). 
• Have a miscellaneous basket. We always have those items that can't be categorized. Not anymore. They are no longer outcasts, they get their own special basket of odd balls and basket cases. (Sounds like I would fit into this basket).

3. Big Items. Artists and art teachers frequently have large items like large canvases, canvas rolls, stretcher bars, large water color pieces, lighting, easels and they take up lots of space. No worries. Keep the large stuff together and they can happily take up all the space they want but in their own spot. 

• All my easels are kept together not placed throughout the room. If I need an easel I know where the spot is and see my plethora of choices. 
• Just like small papers, large papers need to stay together to stay nice and try to give them support so they don't bend. I use a large wood slot. This is over with my large easels. 
• Canvases have to be stacked a certain way because if one is leaning on another it can create a dent on the canvas that can't be removed (ruining it). Start with your largest on the outside and lean against the wall to the smallest. If you have to stack them on top of each other, stack the same sizes on each other. Consider building a drying rack or rack in general as seen in the video below. 

4. Not a lot of Supplies? If you don't have a lot of art supplies, well I don't know why you are reading this (I am saying that sarcastically). There was that day that I could fit all my art supplies in a large tote and that is what I did! Papers on one side, paints on the other and everything else in between. Just a warning if you feel like the papers would fit better on the bottom of the tote, just be warned some will get ruined. It is so much easier to do art projects when all you need to do is go grab the art tote and it's all in there. 

If you want to know what supplies to add to your tote, check out our kids art supply list. There is also a list of art supplies I recommend for those wanting to get started with acrylics, watercolors, oils, and multi-media. 

Watch How I Organize and Set Up My Art Space

Thanks for watching!

Tell me below what your biggest supply organization issues? I will try to reply with my best advice. 

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