One of my favorite finds is a metal strainer/colander that fits perfectly inside a plastic bucket. I fill the bucket so that there is about and inch of water above the lower surface of the colander.... then I can scrape, the paint filled brushes along the colander to help with cleaning... The pigment falls to the bottom of the bucket...leaving clean-ish water that the brushes are sitting in. The brushes are only sitting in a small amount of water (below the ferrule).. and not standing up on the bristles... (better for brushes)



The shiny side of freezer paper makes a great and economical disposable palette... I tape it on top of my metal butcher tray palette...easy peasy.

Plastic ice cube trays make great paint wells for acrylic. White or cream colored work best. (you don't want royal blue or green trays influencing your color choices) Then find a 'Tupperware' container with a burp lid to put your ice cube trays into...it will keep the color fresh for a couple of days if you mist them after your painting session. You can also stretch some "press and seal" brand plastic wrap on top of the cube trays... great way to travel to and from paint class!


If you have any good art tools or tips...please share them with me...and I'll pass them on!