Let’s be real, summer heat can suck the joy right out of your creative flow. Paint sticks to your fingers (and not in a good way), your watercolors dry before you even blink, and clay? Forget it, it turns to mush or rock, depending on your luck.
But don’t worry, I’ve been there, sweating over a sketchbook at 3 PM under a sluggish ceiling fan, and I’ve got your back. This list of 20 summer-perfect art supplies is built from years of personal trial, error, splatters, and sunburns.
These aren’t your usual “top 10” listicle items. They’re the things that actually make art better (and less sticky) when the sun’s doing the most.
Let’s dive in.
Also see: 30 Summer Art Projects for Campers of All Ages
1. Waterbrush Pens
These little tools are basically your summer watercolor buddies. No cup of water, no soggy brushes, no spills on your sketchbook. Just fill the barrel with water, squeeze gently, and paint on the go.
They’re especially great when you’re painting at the park, beach, or even while sitting on your balcony with an iced coffee. I keep a few loaded in my tote, one with water, one with diluted ink, so I can layer washes without breaking my flow.
And since they’re sealed, no chance of accidentally dipping your brush in your lemonade. Again… ask me how I know.
Also see: Easy Fingerprint Art for Summer (Complete Process)
2. Travel Watercolor Palettes
Big palettes are nice in the studio, but outside? They’re bulky, messy, and kind of annoying. Travel watercolor palettes are compact, lightweight, and often come with built-in mixing wells.
My favorite is one I customized myself using a pillbox organizer, filled it with Daniel Smith dots and boom, a full-color range in my pocket. Toss in a waterbrush and I’m good for spontaneous painting anywhere: train rides, roadside dhabas, or mid-hike.
As a pro tip, you can stick a swatch chart inside the lid so you don’t forget what’s what when the sun’s glaring in your eyes.
3. Cooling Grip Pencils
Ever tried drawing when your hands are sweaty? The pencil slips, your lines wobble, and suddenly your “perfect curve” looks like it had a heatstroke. That’s where cooling grip for pencils come in.
Some brands use soft, textured gel grips that don’t trap heat otherwise you can buy external grips and yes, they actually feel cooler. The added grip makes a surprising difference for longer sessions. Especially if you’re doing fine sketching or lettering work.
I even wrapped one in a microfibre cloth once just to see if it helped. It did, but these pencils work better, and don’t make you look like you’re holding a burrito.
4. Kneaded Erasers (store in the fridge!)
Sounds weird, but trust me, a warm kneaded eraser turns into a squishy, unusable blob. Keep it in the fridge (or even a tiny insulated pouch if you’re outside), and it stays firm enough to shape for precision work.
You can roll it into a point for lifting graphite highlights or dab it on charcoal drawings without smudging the whole thing. I once left mine on a windowsill by accident and came back to find it fused to the paper. Never again.
5. Acrylic Gouache
Acrylic gouache gives you the punchy colors of gouache with the permanence of acrylic. It dries fast, stays matte, and doesn’t re-wet once dry, which is great if you’re working in humid conditions or want to layer without muddying colors.
Unlike watercolor, it won’t lift with every stroke, and unlike oil paint, it doesn’t take forever to dry. You can finish a full painting before your cold coffee gets warm.
And if you’re impatient like me? That’s a blessing.
6. Plastic Palette Paper
Summer = less time cleaning, more time creating. Palette paper sheets are like disposable mixing trays. Paint, mix, swipe, and when it’s too messy, just tear it off and toss it.
I’ve used these during back-to-back commissions when washing palettes was the last thing I wanted to do after a full day. They also save water, a win-win if you’re working remotely or dealing with water shortages.
I keep a stack on my desk next to a spritz bottle so I can control the moisture without scrubbing dried acrylic off a tray at 10 pm.
7. Gel Crayons (aka the underrated kings of texture)
If you haven’t tried gel crayons yet, you’re sleeping on some serious fun. They glide on like creamy lipstick and blend beautifully with your fingers or a sponge.
They’re amazing for layering, smudging, or even doing quick resist art with stencils. The best part? No powdery mess like pastels, and they don’t melt in heat like wax crayons.
I once took a set to a beach sketch session and ended up creating a full underwater scene, all with my fingers. Sand in my shoes, color on my hands, and zero cleanup stress.
8. Portable Clip-On Fans for Easels
This is hands down (pun intended) one of the most practical “non-art” supplies I’ve ever used. A small USB fan clipped to your easel or sketch table makes a huge difference when it’s hot and sticky.
It keeps your face cool, your paint from drying too fast, and your paper from curling too aggressively. And yes, it doubles as a bug deterrent if you’re painting near plants or in open fields.
Get a rechargeable one with variable speed, your summer self will thank you.
9. UV-Resistant Fixative Spray
Sunlight is the silent killer of vibrant drawings. Whether it’s your colored pencil portrait or a pastel landscape, UV exposure fades colors faster than you’d expect.
Fixative spray with UV protection gives your work a fighting chance, especially if you’re working outdoors or gifting a piece that’ll hang near a window.
Just remember: use it in a well-ventilated area.
Ideally outside.
Once, I forgot and sprayed indoors, my room smelled like art studio-meets-hairspray for two days.
10. Sketchbooks with Water-Resistant Covers
Summer sketchbooks take a beating. Between sweaty palms, unexpected rain, iced drinks, and rogue splashes from the pool, you need one that won’t fall apart.
Water-resistant covers (like from Etchr or Stillman & Birn) protect your pages from spills and smudges. They’re easy to wipe clean and stand up to more abuse than your average Moleskine.
I’ve dropped mine in wet grass, wiped it off with a towel, and kept going. Try doing that with a paperback sketchpad and see how far you get.
11. Dry Watercolor Dot Cards
Dot cards are the secret weapon most beginners overlook. They’re tiny sheets with actual watercolor paint dots, just add a wet brush, and you’re painting.
These are perfect for summer because they’re super portable (like, pocket portable), don’t dry out, and don’t spill in your bag. I keep a few in a plastic sleeve with a waterbrush tucked in, instant plein air setup.
Plus, they’re a low-commitment way to try premium paints. I discovered my favorite indigo shade through a free dot card sample from Daniel Smith. Now I can’t paint a moody sky without it.
12. Pastel Pencils
If you like soft pastels but hate the mess (especially when there’s sweat involved), pastel pencils are your compromise. They’re way neater, easier to control, and great for adding fine details without coating your hands in pigment.
Stabilo CarbOthello and Faber-Castell Pitt are both solid options. I’ve used them for everything from portraits to dusty desert landscapes, and they hold up even when humidity tries to smear everything else.
Bonus: They layer beautifully on toned paper. Perfect for adding sunlit highlights or building up shadows in a dry, summery scene.
13. Alcohol Markers + Blenders
Alcohol-based markers dry so fast, it’s like they were made for summer. No smudging, no waiting, no wet sleeves. And when used with a blender marker, you can create gradients that look like you airbrushed them in Photoshop.
I usually keep a small palette of skin tones, grays, and a bright accent color in my pouch, enough for travel sketches and quick character concepts.
Heads up: They do smell strong in enclosed spaces, so use them near a fan or window. Or go outside, they’re great for outdoor café sketching.
14. Pre-Soaked Paper Towels (in a ziplock)
Okay, this one is more practical genius than traditional supply. Keep a few paper towels soaked in water (or a gentle cleaning mix) sealed in a ziplock. They stay moist and ready to go, whether you need to clean brushes, wipe a spill, or just cool down sticky fingers.
I add a drop of peppermint oil sometimes for that mini spa moment while working. It’s like art therapy with aromatherapy.
And if you’re working with ink or gouache, having a damp towel on hand is a game changer for brush cleaning without needing a whole water setup.
15. DIY Ice Cube Stamps
This one’s pure summer fun. Fill ice cube trays with watercolor paint, pop in popsicle sticks, and freeze. Once solid, you’ve got DIY stamps that melt and leave soft, unpredictable marks.
It’s playful, chaotic, and honestly? Great for loosening up if you’re feeling stuck or creatively blocked.
I used these in a workshop for kids once and ended up making my own full abstract series later that night. The texture from the melt is like nature doing your brushwork for you.
16. Lightweight Canvas Panels
Stretch canvas is bulky, warps in humidity, and honestly… it’s not always practical in summer. Canvas panels, those thin, rigid boards, are lighter, stackable, and easier to work with outdoors.
They don’t droop when wet, and they dry evenly, even if you’re sweating buckets nearby. I carry a few pre-gessoed panels clipped together with binder clips, then paint en plein air without worrying about the wind folding my work in half.
Also: they’re usually cheaper. Which means you don’t overthink every brushstroke.
17. Chalk Markers
Don’t let the name fool you, chalk markers are bold, juicy, and perfect for temporary surface art. Think mirrors, glass, windows, and rocks. I use them on empty jam jars, old tiles, and even the fridge during creative bursts.
What makes them ideal for summer? They’re water-based, wipeable, and zero-mess compared to real chalk (no dust storm every time you breathe near your work).
You can even decorate your windows with ocean waves or giant sunflowers and wipe it off next week like it never happened. Magic.
18. Cold Wax Medium
If you’re working in oils (you brave soul), cold wax medium is your sidekick in the heat. It gives body and texture to oil paint while speeding up drying time. Plus, it tones down the glossy finish to a soft matte, great for moody summer scenes.
It smells like citrus furniture polish, which I weirdly enjoy, and it’s super fun to apply with palette knives or even your fingers (just don’t forget gloves).
It’s also perfect for creating layered effects or embedding texture into your piece without it sliding around in hot conditions.
19. Reusable Water Balloons for Abstract Art
Yes, this is real. And it’s ridiculous. And it’s also incredible.
Get those silicone water balloons made for kids, the kind that refill quickly and seal themselves. Fill them with ink or liquid watercolor, toss them (gently) at your canvas, and step back.
The splatters are unpredictable and beautiful. I’ve done this with students who were bored of still lifes and it turned into a whole “paint-throwing party.” Wear old clothes, obviously.
It’s bold, it’s freeing, and honestly? It feels like what art should be: fun.
20. The “Summer Art Kit” Tote
Last but maybe most essential, your go-to summer tote. This isn’t just a bag. It’s a system. A mindset. A ready-to-go creativity machine.
Here’s what mine usually has:
- A sketchbook with a waterproof cover
- Waterbrush
- Dot card
- Mini travel palette
- Micron pen
- Fan (USB, clip-on)
- Ziplock with wipes
- Tiny spray bottle
- Pastel pencil and eraser
- Lightweight snacks because… obviously
This bag has saved me on everything from spontaneous sunsets to unexpected coffee shop sketching invites. It helps you stay creative without the whole “Oh, I didn’t bring my stuff” excuse.
Final Thoughts
Summer doesn’t have to melt your creative mojo. In fact, with the right gear, it can unlock a more playful, messy, and expressive version of your art practice. Try new textures. Paint with ice. Doodle under a tree. Let your tools do the hard work so your brain can chill (literally).
And hey, if you find yourself using a kneaded eraser as a stress ball mid-heatwave, no judgment. Been there, too.
So, which one of these supplies are you itching to try first?
If you’ve got a secret summer art hack I missed, tell me. I’m always looking for new ways to beat the heat, and the creative slump.
Thanks for reading!