This list includes 40 Art supplies that start with G, from “Gaffer tape” to “Gypsum plaster”. These items are common, durable, and sometimes specialized materials used across drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, and mixed media.

Art supplies that start with G are tangible tools and materials artists use to make visual work. Gaffer tape, for example, is prized in studios and on film sets for its strength and clean removal.

Below you’ll find the table with Item, Category, Usage, and Popular brands.

Item: The specific supply name as used in shops and catalogs, helping you identify the exact product quickly.

Category: Broad class like painting, drawing, or sculpture that helps you find related tools and compare uses.

Usage: Short practical note on when and how you might use the item in common art projects.

Popular brands: One to three well-known manufacturers or retailers you can search for when buying supplies locally or online.

Art supplies that start with G

NameTypeTypical UsePopular Brands
GessopaintingPriming canvas or panels before paintingLiquitex; Golden; Winsor & Newton
GouachepaintingOpaque watercolor painting and illustrationWinsor & Newton; Holbein; Schmincke
Graphite pencildrawingSketching, drawing, and detailed shadingFaber-Castell; Staedtler; Derwent
Graphite stickdrawingBroad coverage and bold marks in drawingGeneral’s; Derwent; Cretacolor
Graphite powderdrawingBrushable value studies and transfersChartpak; Cretacolor; Derwent
Graphite paperdrawingTransferring sketches to final supportCanson; Grafix; Saral
Gel mediummixed mediaAdhesive, extender, or texture builder for acrylicsLiquitex; Golden; Winsor & Newton
Glassine papermixed mediaProtecting artwork and separating delicate layersUline; Grafix; Canson
Gold leafmixed mediaGilding decorative surfaces and highlightsModern Gold Leaf; Dutch Metal; Allanson
Gilding sizemixed mediaAdhesive for applying metal leafWinsor & Newton; Liquitex; R&F
Gilder’s knifetoolCutting and preparing metal leaf sheetsX-Acto; Pro-Edge; T. H. Richards
Gilder’s tiptoolPicking up and applying sheets of gold leafKolner; Pro Art; craft suppliers
Gum arabicmixed mediaBinder for watercolors and ink; increases glossWinsor & Newton; Daniel Smith; Sennelier
Gum tragacanthmixed mediaThickening and sizing for inks and dyesSpeedball; Talas; conservation suppliers
Glue guntoolQuick adhesive bonding for crafts and propsSurebonder; AdTech; Stanley
Glue stickmixed mediaTemp or permanent paper and collage adhesionElmer’s; UHU; Scotch
Glue (PVA)mixed mediaGeneral adhesion for paper, wood, and canvasElmer’s; Aleene’s; Mod Podge
GougetoolCarving relief blocks for printmaking and woodworkFlexcut; Pfeil; Pfeil; Bahco
Glass cuttertoolScoring and cutting flat glass sheetsOlfa; Eclipse; Cushcraft
Glass rodsculptureLampworking and hot glass shapingEffetre; Pyrex; Moretti
Glass fritsculptureFusing to create color and texture in kiln glassSpectrum; Bullseye; Uroboros
Glass beadsmixed mediaMosaic, jewelry, and decorative embellishmentMiyuki; Preciosa; Toho
Glass paintpaintingPainting on glassware and windowsPebeo; FolkArt; DecoArt
Gaffer tapetoolTemporary holding, masking, and stage useGaffer Power; Pro Gaff; 3M
Gallery wrap canvaspaintingStretched canvas with wrapped edges for displayFredrix; Blick; Winsor & Newton
Gampi paperprintmakingFine Japanese paper for printmaking and conservationHiromi; Hosho suppliers; Arches
Grease pencildrawingMarking on slick surfaces like glass and photosStaedtler; Dixon; Faber-Castell
Gilding cushiontoolPreparing and cutting metal leaf sheetsGilder’s Supplies; specialty suppliers; craft shops
Gold paintpaintingMetallic highlights in acrylics, oils, and craftsGolden; Liquitex; Winsor & Newton
GroundpaintingCreating a stable, toned surface before paintingLiquitex; Winsor & Newton; Gamblin
Gypsum plastersculptureCasting, molding, and building armaturesUSG; Blick; Plaster suppliers
GauzesculptureCovering armatures for plaster or papier-mâchéDerma-Roll; Plaster Bandage brands; medical suppliers
Grain fillerpaintingFilling open wood grain before finishingMinwax; Zinsser; Gamblin
Glass sheetmixed mediaRigid transparent support for painting or mosaicsWalmart glass; Home Depot; art-glass suppliers
Glass enamel powderpaintingFusing color onto metal or glass surfacesThompson; A & D; enameling suppliers
Graph paperdrawingPrecision layout, design, and perspective guidesStrathmore; Canson; Rhodia
Graining combtoolCreating simulated woodgrain textures in paintRockler; specialty suppliers; craft stores
Grommet tooltoolSetting metal eyelets in banners and fabricC.S. Osborne; YKK; Vevor
Glass matmixed mediaReinforcement in fiberglass and mixed-media buildsFiberglass suppliers; OC; West System
Glass microspheresmixed mediaLightweight filler for texture and reducing weight3M; Potters Industries; specialty suppliers

Descriptions

Gesso
A common acrylic primer that seals and evens surfaces so paint adheres better; comes in matte or gloss.
Gouache
A creamy, opaque watercolor favored by illustrators for flat, vibrant color that reactivates with water.
Graphite pencil
Wood-encased pencils graded by hardness, essential for sketching, technical drawing, and value studies.
Graphite stick
A solid block of graphite for large tonal areas and expressive mark-making without a wood casing.
Graphite powder
Loose graphite that can be rubbed, brushed, or used for transfers and textured shading effects.
Graphite paper
Thin paper coated with graphite for tracing and transferring drawings onto canvas or board.
Gel medium
A versatile acrylic medium used for glazing, collage adhesion, and building texture or transparent layers.
Glassine paper
Smooth, translucent, grease-resistant paper often used to interleave prints, store pastels, or protect gold leaf.
Gold leaf
Ultra-thin sheets of real or imitation gold applied with size for a luminous metallic finish.
Gilding size
A tacky adhesive (oil- or water-based) used to fix gold or metal leaf to a surface.
Gilder’s knife
A small, sharp knife used to cut and handle delicate gold leaf on a gilder’s stone.
Gilder’s tip
A soft, flat brush (often squirrel or synthetic) used to lift and lay gold leaf without tearing.
Gum arabic
A natural gum used to adjust flow, gloss, and transparency in watercolor and gouache.
Gum tragacanth
A plant-derived gum used as a binder, thickener, and sizing agent in watercolor and calligraphy.
Glue gun
Electric hot-melt tool for fast adhesion of wood, fabric, foam, and mixed-media elements.
Glue stick
Solid adhesive in a twist tube, handy for paper collage, school projects, and mounting lightweight materials.
Glue (PVA)
Water-based white glue that dries clear, used for bookbinding, collage, and many studio tasks.
Gouge
Chisels with curved blades used to carve linoleum, woodblocks, and sculptural details.
Glass cutter
Handheld tool with a hardened wheel used to score glass for breaking into shapes for mosaics and frames.
Glass rod
Solid rods of glass melted and shaped in flame for beads, sculpture, and blown-glass work.
Glass frit
Crushed glass in various granulations used in kilnforming to add color, texture, or opacity to glass projects.
Glass beads
Small beads of glass available in many shapes and colors, used for mosaics, jewelry, and embellishing surfaces.
Glass paint
Specialty paints formulated to adhere to glass, available as opaque or translucent enamels.
Gaffer tape
Cloth-backed tape that peels cleanly and resists residue; used for studio setups and securing materials.
Gallery wrap canvas
Pre-stretched canvas with staples on the back so painted edges are display-ready without framing.
Gampi paper
A smooth, translucent washi prized for printmaking, book arts, and delicate repairs.
Grease pencil
Also called a china marker, it writes on glossy surfaces and can be smudged or wiped away.
Gilding cushion
A padded, smooth surface used with a gilder’s knife to cut and handle delicate metal leaf.
Gold paint
Metallic paint offering gold tones; available as genuine-metal pigments or metallic pigments.
Ground
A preparatory layer (like rabbit-skin glue or acrylic ground) that controls absorbency and texture.
Gypsum plaster
Powdered plaster that mixes with water to form a quick-setting casting material for models and molds.
Gauze
Open-weave fabric used with plaster or adhesives to build armatures and textured surfaces.
Grain filler
Paste used to level and seal wood grain so paint or varnish lays smoothly.
Glass sheet
Flat panes of glass cut to size for framing, mosaics, or encaustic supports.
Glass enamel powder
Powdered color that melts and fuses to metal or glass in a kiln for durable color.
Graph paper
Grid paper used for design, pattern making, and accurate scaling in drafts and illustrations.
Graining comb
A toothed tool dragged through wet glaze to imitate woodgrain patterns on painted surfaces.
Grommet tool
Hand or press tool used to punch holes and secure grommets for stretched banners or fabric art.
Glass mat
Woven glass fiber cloth used with resin for strong, lightweight structural layers.
Glass microspheres
Tiny hollow glass spheres used as lightweight fillers in gesso, resin, and textured grounds.
If you think there is a missing term, let us know using the contact form.