Tess’ tool kit Part 2 - Tapes, pencils and other useful equipment

Tess' Tool Kit: Part 2 - Tapes, Pencils and Other Useful Equipment

Some things you will find around your home, whereas others are more specialist - it's up to you to pick and choose what works best for you and your project.

• Warm soapy water

To wash brushes. Scrub the water into the bristles using the palm of your hand until the water runs clear.

• Brush cleaner

I recommend using this to clean the finer brushes, I love to use this one.

• Paint opener

A dedicated paint opener tool is much better than using a knife or spoon as it won't damage the lid, meaning any leftover paint can be properly stored and sealed.

• Spoon

Using a spoon to retrieve paint from the pot rather than pouring is best, as you want to keep the rim of the paint tin clean so that you can seal it shut again.

• Hammer

To shut the paint tin.

• Paint stick

For mixing paint to ensure even colour.

• Metal ruler and a wooden ruler

Useful for measuring gaps between a pattern repeat, or ensuring motifs are a similar size.

• Pocket tape measure and dressmaker's tape measure

I would recommend having both to hand for maximum flexibility.

• Chalk line and powdered chalk

I use this one and prefer to use it with white chalk.

• Masking tape

A mix of widths, and I would recommend Frogtape to minimise damage to any walls - particularly the yellow one.

• Paint palette

The petal-shaped ones are my favourite, as they keep each colour separate.

• Pencils, plus a sharpener and rubber

Standard HB pencils are great. I would also recommend having a few lighter ones like H or 2H, as well as some water-soluble ones too - I use Aquarelle.

• Cloth or rag

For wiping excess paint or pencil marks away. You can also use compostable baby wipes.

• Chalk

Either standard chalk or dressmaker's chalk work equally well.

• Scalpel and cutting mat

You will need these to create and cut stencils, or to cut a sponge into a stamp shape.

• Tracing paper

Not something I use very often, but can be helpful if you want to transfer a design on paper onto the wall.

• Carbon paper

Arguably does a better job of transferring a design onto the wall or furniture.

• Kitchen roll

Handy to clean up spills or excess paint.

• Water jar

I just use old jam jars.

Sourcebook

You will be able to find all of the artist's materials in the art shops and builders merchants listed in the previous lesson.