Painting
5 gouache paints worth a place on your desk
Winsor & Newton Designers Gouache is my pick for a first set. Start with a few colors you can mix, not a box of shades you will never open.
THE EDIT
I’d start with the Ohuhu Honolulu² 120-color set for a broad first palette. Choose brush and fine tips for small details, or brush and chisel for larger fills. Plan for ink bleed-through.
DAS air-hardening clay is my first pick for simple ornaments and sturdy shapes. Choose Creative Paperclay for lighter work or La Doll Premier for fine detail. Keep finished pieces away from food and standing water.
The POSCA PC-5M is my starting point for bold drawing and small craft projects. Its medium tip handles lines and fills. Pick a finer tip for tiny details, and check the surface before counting on a permanent finish.
Start with a small gallery and coffee: there is plenty to talk about, and no art skills are needed. If you are taking a chat from Hookup.app into a first date, pick a public venue and a short plan you both like. For a hands-on option, try café sketching or a beginner pottery class.
A PLACE TO START
Buy for the next thing you want to make.
Soft blends, bold paint or a small object shaped by hand: start with the medium that suits your idea. A few well-chosen tools leave more room to make something of your own.