Find out which paints, markers, and pens every serious crafter should have in their craft drawer.

Look for specialty paints for use on ceramic, fabric, and glass.

Use spray paint to cover items with hard-to-reach nooks. It leaves a smooth, clear coat and comes in flat or glossy finish. Be sure to use in a well-ventilated area.

Thinner than spray paint, floral spray is used for live and dried flowers and leaves, and is good for getting into hard-to-reach areas.

A soft white nylon-bristle brush is perfect for most crafts. Brushes with a round base and a pointed tip paint a finer line. To paint a broad line quickly or to color large areas, use a flat brush.

Opaque ink works well on glossy paper and nonporous surfaces, such as shells and plastic. If you use a paint pen on paper, be sure to cover your work surface, as the ink bleeds through pages.

Use an applicator bottle with a pointy tip to apply paint precisely when you're making dots or very thin lines.

A classic crafts essential, markers are available in every imaginable color and in a variety of widths, as well as several types of ink, including washable.

Gel pens are good for writing in fine print on dark paper. Look for inks in light colors and white, with opaque, milky-looking ink.

Gel pens by Martha Stewart Crafts are available at Michaels stores.