You know how sometimes your art just… feels stuck?
Like you’re painting the same faces with the same three brushes on the same old paper?
That’s usually when I reach into my “weird stuff drawer,” a real thing in my studio, and pull out something strange enough to snap me out of autopilot.
I’m not talking about gimmicks. I mean genuinely weird, oddly practical, creative supplies that actually work and, sometimes, way better than expected.
So, here’s a list of the weirdest art supplies I’ve in my drawer and have tried in the past few years. Some are hilarious, some are surprisingly useful, and some might make you question what counts as “art tools” in the first place.
(I will also attach the images of the materials I currently have, otherwise from internet.)
So, let’s go.
1. Toilet Seat Eraser
Yes, I own one. Yes, it’s shaped like a miniature toilet seat or commode. And yes, it erases like a regular eraser.
I first saw it at a small concept store in Tokyo the kind that sells matcha toothpaste and socks that look like sushi.
Assumed it was a joke. Bought it. Used it. Laughed like an idiot when it actually erased the pencil cleanly.
It’s totally impractical to use it for erasing big sketches, obviously. But it’s perfect for fine detail corrections.
Bonus: it freaks people out when you casually say, “Pass me the toilet seat.”
Also see: What is Resin Art? Everything You Need To Know
2. Moss Ink
This one’s for the earth-loving goblins among us (I see you). It’s literally ink made from moss in green, earthy, and smells like wet leaves on a rainy hike.
The brand I tried was from a local, sustainable startup. Their pitch? “Ink that breathes.” A bit dramatic, but the results were stunning. It’s not super pigmented, but it’s more like a watercolor with secrets.
Pro tip: It works beautifully on textured handmade paper, especially for botanical studies or muted fantasy illustrations. Would I use it for every sketch? No. But when I do, the vibe is very Studio Ghibli.
3. Tiny Paint Set (Size of a Coin)
You’d think this is a toy. It kind of is. But it also works.
Mine’s no bigger than your little finger, which may be 4cm across.
It has eight micro-pans of paint and a toothpick-sized brush. It was a gift from my cousin, who thought I wouldn’t actually use it.
Guess what? I do. On trains, in waiting rooms, and once in a washroom queue at Comic-Con.
I’ve painted over 20 tiny landscapes with it, and it forced me to simplify, focus, and stop rushing.
There’s a lesson there: sometimes limits allow freedom.
4. Color-Changing Pens (on Thermal Paper)
You write. It’s pink. You touch it. It turns white. Then blue. Then purple.
Feels like magic, but it’s thermochromic ink reacting to heat. You can find them online, but the good ones usually come from niche Korean or Japanese stationery brands.
I started using them for mood journaling and quick doodles that reveal different layers when exposed to light or body heat.
But I’ve also seen magazine artists use them to create interactive prints; imagine a comic that changes emotions when held.
Weird? Yes. Useless? Absolutely not.
5. Lego Pens cum Stackable Crayons
Okay, these are just fun. No big philosophy here.
The pens look like laser swords made from Lego bricks, and yes, they click together.
You can even build your own pen tower. The crayons come in stackable blocks. Pull one out, stick it in the back, and push forward for a new color.
It’s silly. It’s pure chaos when you drop them. But if you want to relive childhood AND sketch a cityscape at the same time, these deliver.
Also, they’re a hit during live sketching events. People come up to you just to ask, “Are those actual Lego?”
6. Special Effects Palette Knives(a.k.a. Texture Wizards)
I tried these once at my friend’s house, they were hers, and I had no idea what I was doing. But man, they were fun.
These knives come in all sorts of weird shapes: jagged edges, scoops, comb-like blades. Not your usual paint tools.
I dragged one through thick gesso just for fun and ended up with a cracked-earth texture I couldn’t stop staring at.
They’re messy, unpredictable, and weirdly satisfying. Even mistakes look cool.
Honestly, I get why she guards them like treasure.
7. Banana Paper Sketchbook
No, it’s not banana-shaped. Banana-fiber.
Banana paper is made from the waste of banana plants after harvest. It’s got a lovely organic texture, which is fibrous, slightly yellow, and surprisingly strong.
Works best with dry media (like charcoal or colored pencil), but I’ve also used gouache and ink.
The paper adds character. Your linework looks more alive and less sterile. And it feels great knowing you’re drawing on something that didn’t kill a tree.
And, do you know? Some eco-publishers are starting to print magazines and art books on this stuff.
8. Scented Colored Pencils (That Actually Smell)
I once bought a set of 12 scented pencils at a thrift store. Expected cheap wax and a fake strawberry fragrance.
What I got was… astonishing. Each pencil had a different scent from orange, banana, apple, watermelon, and even blueberry. And weirdly enough, the scents still come after sharpening.
They turned out to be an USA brand, you can find them online. I’ve used them for journaling and sensory therapy art sessions where smell, texture, and visuals come together.
There’s something nostalgic and grounding about smelling real lavender while shading with it. Highly recommend it if you can find a good brand.
9. Glow-in-the-Dark Watercolors
These are tricky. Most glow paints feel chalky and weak in daylight.
But there’s a brand from the Netherlands that makes glow watercolors with surprisingly decent pigment load.
I used them on a Halloween piece where the moonlit sky lights up after dark. The effect was subtle but magical.
Downside? You have to “charge” the painting under light. Also, it works best on thick watercolor paper primed with gesso.
Would I use them in a serious portrait? Probably not. But for night-themed illustration projects or just for fun, absolutely.
10. Tiny Sketchbook That Made Me Obsessed
This one’s simple: a sketchbook the size of a matchbox. It was also a gift, and I was really excited to use it. But, I thought of only drawing small organisms like ant portraits.
But I actually picked it up and started doodling flowers, butterflies with a micron pen, something clicked. The small space forces you to focus. No room for fluff. Just raw ideas, tiny details, and quick stories.
I once sketched a whole cityscape using just a 0.1 fineliner, all the way from buildings, windows, to even a cat on a rooftop, and all inside this palm-sized notebook.
Felt weirdly powerful. It’s also super portable. I carry it in my pocket, and whenever I’m waiting in line or zoning out in a café, I whip it out and draw.
So, Why Bother With Weird Stuff?
Because weirdness refreshes your creativity. It breaks patterns. Makes you play again. Makes you curious.
I’ve had an entire series come out of random tools. Once, a color-changing pen made me rethink contrast. A moss ink drawing led to a small plant illustration workshop. A Lego crayon started a collab project with a toy designer friend.
The best part? You stop chasing “perfect.” You start chasing fun.
And that’s usually where the good art lives.
Have you got a weird art supply you love?
Let me know. I always look for the next strange thing to stuff into my drawer.
Also, have you ever come across a weird art material that smells, looks or works differently?
Please. Call me. We need to talk.