You know what’s one of the best things about working in an art supply shop? It’s being surrounded by art supplies! We have the privilege of making sure our tried-and-true favorites are always in stock, plus we get to try out new mediums, brands, and substrates based on the recommendations of our customers and suppliers.
With all the wonderful things in our shop, people often ask us for recommendations. This led us to decide on creating a new monthly feature called “Our Current Favorite Things.” So read on to discover what are Alicia, David, and AJ’s favorite art supply items as of April 2026!
Alicia’s Current Favorite Thing
Stonehenge Aqua Coldpress
Alicia is an avid watercolor painter and throughout her art journey, she has tried many different paper and substrates. These days, Alicia’s choice of paper is Stonehenge Aqua Coldpress. This 100% cotton, textured paper is thick and sturdy, with a pressed weight of 140 pounds. It holds up well to multiple layers of watercolor, whether adding or lifting color to the paper, and it doesn’t buckle easily.
AJ’s Current Favorite Thing
Tombow Brush Pens
AJ loves mixed-media art and testing new techniques. Last month she dove into the world of water-based Tombow Brush pens after a customer recommended them. Not only do they blend seamlessly on the page, but they smear like watercolors when spread with a wet paintbrush. The colors are bright, vibrant, and dense. Her only caution is to use before Micron pens, as it can spread ink if used too soon after application.
David’s Current Favorite Thing
Trekell Wood Mushroom Panels
When Trekell (one of our favorite suppliers of paint brushes) wrote about the worldwide art event known as “Game of Shrooms” in their newsletter, David immediately wanted Carden to participate. These wooden panels are the perfect surface for many mediums, and the added thickness gives extra durability when the piece is hidden in an outdoor public space for a lucky person to find and keep.
(Want to find out more about Game of Shrooms? Read our blog post!)
Your Current Favorite Thing!
Do you have a “favorite thing” when it comes to art supplies? Let us know in the comments or stop by the store. If we don’t already have it in stock, we can order it for you. Then, who knows? Maybe your favorite thing will become our favorite thing.
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