If You Had to Start Over as an Artist, What Supplies Would You Choose First?

When I moved to England, I couldn’t bring my entire studio with me… not even close. Years of collected paints, brushes, textures, and tools had to be sold, given away, or let go of entirely. What remained had to fit inside a small tote bag.

It was heartbreaking and also really clarifying all at once.

This is everything I chose to bring with me, not just what fit, but what truly mattered most to how I make art.

Flat lay of essential art supplies including watercolor palettes, Golden acrylics, pens, markers, brushes, and rulers — artist's toolkit for moving abroad.

1. My Most Trusted Watercolors

Several tins of my very favorite watercolors. These were a must. Watercolors are where I return when I need grounding or inspiration — they’re familiar, fluid, and endlessly expressive. I’ve painted with these through seasons of chaos and calm, and I never travel without a tin of watercolors. Each color has its own memory and mood. Even though they look like humble, messy sets, they’re the beating heart of how I begin most pieces. When I unpacked them in my new home, it felt like reconnecting with an old friend — like I could begin again.

2. Golden Fluid Acrylics in a Minimal Palette

I couldn’t bring everything, so I brought the colors I reach for over and over again. Golden Fluid Acrylics are my secret weapon for layering, glazing, and unexpected textures. They flow easily, play nicely with water, and dry with that beautiful matte softness that still holds intensity. Of course…I brought a ton of blue! (Any of my reds were basically completely used up or barely hanging on and it wasn’t worth it to pack them.) These are the foundation of almost every mixed media piece I make.

Close-up of artist’s curated paint collection featuring Golden Fluid Acrylics, iridescent paints, Posca markers, oil pastels, and well-used watercolor palettes.

3. A Carefully Chosen Set of Markers and Pens

POSCAs, Microns, gel pens — only the MVPs made it in. I wanted tools that could move effortlessly between journaling, sketching, and final artwork. These pens are how I add personality and precision. They’re bold when I need contrast, gentle when I layer them over texture or watercolor. I especially love combining crisp lines with loose, organic backgrounds — that contrast is a big part of my visual language. I didn’t bring the whole art store, but this set still feels like possibility in motion. Every pen here has a role, and they’ve earned their spot in my new creative routine.

Close-up of well-used travel watercolor palettes in tins, surrounded by iridescent paints, water brushes, a metal ruler, and studio tools on a wooden surface.

4. Oil Pastels and Chalks for Texture

Okay. I have to confess. I didn’t bring these with me. But they made the photograph because they were among the first new supplies I purchased! I love smudges and the texture that they bring to a flat piece is SO DELICIOUS! They also make it so easy to be expressive and I have lately started out on my pieces with the chalks to jump in and get rid of the fear of an empty canvas. Highly recommend it!

5. Just Enough Brushes

I narrowed it down to a small set of my most-used brushes: a few rounds, a flat, and a dagger. It’s wild how much you can do with just a handful of the right shapes. Let’s be real…it wasn’t really THAT small of a set, but you should have seen my brush collection before! I was excited to grab a couple of new Filbert brushes this week though–they are so good for feathers and flowers and I’m loving painting with them.

6. A Few Palette Knives + Rulers

For scraping, texture, and carving back into paint layers — these metal tools are heavy, but irreplaceable. They ground me in the physicality of the work. They are EXTREMELY tactile, and when I’m using them, for whatever reason, I feel like a “real artist”

7. Metallic and Shimmer Paints (Because Joy Matters)

I saved space for these on purpose. A bit of gold or iridescent shimmer adds magic, and I knew I’d need that more than ever in the early stages of starting over. Metalics and shimmers have been a part of my work for a long time! I love adding a little extra sparkle to my art!

8. The Courage to Start Again.

This one isn’t tangible, (or pictured!) but it is everything. Letting go of most of my supplies was hard. Really hard. Some tools held years of memory. Some were expensive. Some were things I thought I needed to be “legit.” But standing in a new space, with just a tote bag of art supplies and a table, I realized that art doesn’t come from a bunch of stuff…it comes from what’s within! This pared-down kit is a beginning, not a limitation. It’s a challenge and an invitation. I’m building a new creative life, and that, honestly, is kind of beautiful. Plus…who doesn’t love shopping for new art supplies?

Overhead view of an artist’s carefully selected travel art supplies laid out on a wooden floor — including watercolors, acrylics, markers, pens, and brushes. — **Everything I brought for art. Nothing I regret.**

Have you ever had to start over creatively?

What would you bring if your entire art practice had to fit in one suitcase?

I Moved Across the World With Just One Box of Art Supplies — Here’s What Made the Cut