What's in the Studio: The Tools Behind Griffin Goodman's Art
Every artist has their go-to gear that they reach for without thinking, that show up in every project and become one with their routine. For Chicago visual artist Griffin Goodman, his essentials are a mix of the timeless and the unexpected. Here's a look at what keeps his practice running.
Sketchbook
A no brainer and non-negotiable: a sketchbook. "Every artist needs a sketchbook," Goodman says plainly. His is filled with sketches that appear more like polished works of art that might be intimidating to novices, but are a testament to his skill and way of working. He works physically with pencils, markers, hands on paper and the sketchbook is where that all starts. "A lot of my things are all in this book," he says. For Goodman, it's not just a tool, it's a record.
Princeton Art Brush (Aspen Series)
When it comes to paintbrushes, Goodman has done his research. After years of testing, he keeps coming back to Princeton art brushes specifically for their long stems and durability. "I have not found a better brand," he says. They hold up well, and in a studio practice that involves a lot of paint, that matters.
Quest Cookies & Cream Protein Bar
This one might surprise you, but it makes total sense — we all gotta eat. When he's deep in a session, eating becomes an afterthought. "When I'm working, I forget to eat," he admits. A Quest protein bar — cookies and cream, specifically — has become a go-to staple.
King Size Sharpie
A classic tool, but Goodman gravitates toward the king size for a reason. The dual purpose tip is fat on one side and a fine point on the other giving him versatility straight out of the cap. "You can kind of really mess around with it," he says. Paired with his sketchbook, the Sharpie king size is a daily driver.
Master Airbrush
Airbrushing has become an increasingly central part of Goodman's practice, and his go-to is a Master airbrush he picked up on Amazon. It's inexpensive, but it comes with one firm requirement: keep it clean. "They will dry up, they will clog up," he warns. His advice? "Take care of your airbrush more than you take care of yourself."
Golden High Flow Acrylics
The airbrush demands the right paint, and for Goodman, that means Golden High Flow Acrylics. The fluid consistency moves through the airbrush smoothly, and the quality is hard to argue with. "Golden — you guys are the crème de la crème," he says.
Golden SoFlat Matte Acrylics
A newer addition to the rotation, Golden's SoFlat matte acrylics have quickly earned a spot on the essentials list. The finish is flat and rich which is exactly what the name promises. They run a little pricier, but Goodman isn't bothered: "Sometimes we gotta splurge."
F Pencil
Not a No. 2. Not a 2B. An F — as in fine point. The F pencil has a hard, heavy lead that lays down a clean, precise line, which Goodman uses to sketch out compositions directly on canvas and panels before painting. "It gives you a great line," he says. It's a small distinction with a big impact on how the work starts.
iPad (with Apple Pencil)
Rounding out the list is the tool that bridges Goodman's physical and digital worlds: an iPad with an Apple Pencil. "I think for any artist in the 21st century, we're dealing with going from digital to physical," he says. The Apple Pencil makes the iPad feel close enough to drawing on paper that the transition stays fluid and for Goodman, that fluidity is everything.
From sketchbook to screen, Goodman's essentials represent an artist who's equally comfortable in the analog and digital. His varied toolbox is a reflection of his multidisciplinary approach as an artist and shows that art should balance both familiarity and experimentation.
