My Favorite Art Materials: What I Use for Fluid Art & Acrylic Painting

I believe every artist has their own toolbox, a collection of materials that feel right in their hands, that match their style and their process.

This is a little window into mine. I’m always experimenting and learning, so this list may evolve. But, here are the materials I love and trust right now for both fluid art and traditional acrylic painting.

(And yes, this post is also a handy reference for myself when I shop! Sometimes I forget which medium I liked or which canvas was worth the splurge.)

• Golden Heavy Body Acrylics → Pure pigment, incredible texture, colors that almost glow.

• Liquitex Professional Heavy Body Acrylics → Smooth, vibrant, perfect for mixing and fluid art.

• Amsterdam Expert Series Acrylics → Excellent balance of quality and price.

• Golden GAC 800 → My go-to when I want a flawless finish and minimized cracking.

• Liquitex Professional Pouring Medium → Glossy and reliable, works beautifully for vibrant pours.

• ArtResin Silicone Oil → A few drops go a long way creates stunning, crisp cells.

• Yum craft Silicone Oil → An affordable and effective option when I want to experiment.

• Winsor & Newton Professional Stretched Canvas → Heavy, sturdy, triple-primed my standard choice.

• Masterpiece Elite Canvas → For special works where I want museum-quality presentation.

• Liquitex Professional Varnish (Gloss or Matte) → Reliable, easy to apply, protects my work beautifully.

• I use a mix of Liquitex and Royal & Langnickel brushes for controlled painting.

• For fluid art: silicone spatulas, palette knives, and heat guns are my favorite tools to create movement and texture.

Your materials will evolve as you do. When I first started, I used the most basic supplies, and they served me well. But as my art grew, I wanted materials that would elevate my work and bring out the best in my ideas.

So if you’re reading this and wondering whether it’s time to upgrade, listen to your intuition. Start small if you need to. Add one beautiful tube of paint. One professional canvas. Build your toolbox with love and intention.

Because at the end of the day, your art deserves the best you can give it.

“If you’d like to know why I decided to upgrade my art materials and how it changed my work, you can read the story here → [Why I Upgraded My Art Materials post].