Don't Throw That Away!!! 6 1/2 Everyday Items An Artist-Storyteller Can Reuse and Repurpose

Last week I attended an art demo by a world-renowned artist (FYI: I was there for free as a guest/volunteer), and he showed how he uses a variety of supplemental supplies that can be gotten at convenience stores, auto parts shops, and other mundane sources, plus tips for how to make all the art supplies more efficient. I started thinking about some of my own unconventional supplies, and put together a list of the ones I found in a quick search of my desk and storage. These oft-discarded items may be within your reach right now, and you can give them a new chance at a useful life. I’ll let them speak for themselves.

1. Paper Towel

I’m often put to work cleaning just about any art-related mess, from errant paint streaks, to ink blots, to dirty brushes. But far too often I’m carelessly tossed into the garbage after only one use. Please don’t do this to me. I have more to offer. All I ask is that you place me in some airy spot, and I’ll get as dry as new, ready to clean up yet another mess. Granted, if I’m covered in pigment, my usefulness as a cleaning product may be over—but I still have collage possibilities! (As the above-mentioned world-famous artist learned from one of his students.)

2. Paper Scrap

I know you artist-storytellers leave a major paper-trail wherever you go—hurried scribblings, quick doodles, notes from this and that, and so on and so forth—but is it my fault? Or am I to blame that I’m a wrinkled program from a play, a piece of discarded wrapping paper, or an unwanted advertisement some company mailed you? Can’t you see the useful potential, even beauty, that’s in me?

     If I’m plain, made of simple stuff like printer paper, you can cut me into little pieces and write all those random thoughts and notes on me. I’m free—unlike those store-bought Sticky Notes.

    If I’m pretty, with an interesting color, texture, or design, please consider adding me to your collection of collage supplies. I may be the center of a great piece of art someday.

3. Plastic Container

I’m used to package just about every product imaginable, and yet far too often, I’m cast out and left to waste away in my long, long decomposition process without anyone discovering how much potential I have.

    I can hold water, pigment, pencil shavings—whatever you need, I’m happy to be of service! Please do your part to stop this tragedy of discardation and save a plastic container today!

4. Toothbrush

I used to have the duty of keeping your teeth clean and healthy. But now I’m a scruffy bunch of bristles and you’re replacing me with a sleek new model. Before you toss me out, wait! If you run me through the dishwasher—or boil me, if you’re extra germ-phobic—I can still serve as a useful cleaning tool. Those hard-to-reach crevices that abound on old frames and canvases—I’ve got it! Those extra gunky messes that happen sometimes—I’m your brush! You could even try using me for painting, if you want a nice grungy effect.

    Speaking of grunge, this is where the “1/2” in the title comes in: your old, shapeless paint brushes can be repurposed for cleaning too!

5. Old Pillowcase

So, you’re storing or transporting a piece of art, and you’re contending with dust, water, contaminants, and wear and tear to the frame. Would you consider me as an option? Fully stretched, I can probably hold a 2D artwork up to 20” x 24”. Sure, I’m nothing compared to those protective cases you can get at art stores, but in a pinch I’m here to serve you.

6. Popsicle Stick

I’m not just the stuff of kiddie crafts. I can be used to stir paint, for one thing. I’m also good to keep around in case you have an emergency situation with too-big offset screws and have to jam something in there to hold the canvas in place—it’s happened to me before.

Tool Duel: Faber-Castell VS. Sakura Pigma Pens

Disclaimer: No one is paying me anything to compare these products—I’m just doing it for fun and to share what I’ve found out.

The Combatants

Faber-Castell PITT Artist Pens (India Ink)

Set of 4

Approx. price: $12

Sakura Pigma Micron Pens (Archival Ink)

Set of 8 including Pigma Brush and Pigma Graphic 1

Approx. price: $22

The Results

Faber-Castell

Sakura Pigma

Plusses of Faber-Castells:

*They seem to dry a tiny bit faster than the Sakura Pigmas.

*As advertised on the package, they are waterproof, and seem to hold up a little better under a watercolor wash (no bleeding, even when rubbed):

*They came in a tidy little reusable package

Minuses:

*They perform poorly on just about every level compared to the Sakura Pigmas—less variety, less control, duller ink.

Plusses of Sakura Pigmas:

*The brush has great versatility—you could do an entire picture with it.

*The fine-detail capability of the Micron 005 is mind-blowing to me, and the next sizes up aren’t too shabby, either.

*They perform better than any pens I’ve used before.

Minuses:

*The difference between some of the pen-tip sizes seems negligible.

*If you get obsessed with little details, these pens may lead you into insanity.

And one last thing…

Both pens seemed to hold up about the same under an eraser test (vigorous rubbing) a few minutes after drawing:

Conclusion

I’ve been using Faber-Castell pens for a few years now, and they were a massive step up from the ball-points, markers, and dip-pens I was using before. My Sakura Pigmas are brand-new and I haven’t had a chance to give them a really hard-core test yet—but these results have ensured that I will!