5 Viral Art Supplies Worth the Hype: Hands-On Tested

Introduction

Some art supplies go viral for a reason. The five tested here each racked up millions of views online, and after hands-on testing, most of them live up to the attention. From a brush cleaner that looks like it arrived from the future to a gel paste that turns any surface into watercolor paper, here is what is actually worth adding to your cart.

Paint Puck Brush Cleaner

With over 10 million views, the Paint Puck is arguably the most talked-about brush cleaner around. It is made entirely of silicone so paint will not stick to it, and it comes with multiple compartments: an area to hold paint, divots for cleaning, and slots where brushes can snap upright to dry. Every part is completely removable.

It comes in three sizes; the four-inch version tested here is available in several colors. In use, it holds a surprising amount of paint, though blending space is limited since the divots are small. The cleaning performance is the real standout: brushes rinsed against the silicone texture came out impressively clean, and excess water can be scraped off into dedicated channels. Paint slides right off when it is time to wash it, which makes cleanup genuinely satisfying.

If you are still cleaning brushes in an old jar, this is a clear upgrade.

Sakura Pigma Micron 005 Fineliner

This is the world’s tiniest fineliner pen, at 1.6 million views and counting. It is so small that the tip is nearly invisible from any distance, and it genuinely looks smaller than the tube that holds it. The tested version is from Sakura’s Pigma Micron line, a brand most artists already trust.

Compared with a standard pen and even with the 005 from a regular Micron pack, the tip is almost needle-like, almost microscopic. That makes it ideal for eyelashes, eyebrows, fur, pores, and other delicate fine details. The ink is also waterproof and fade-proof, which adds confidence for finished pieces.

If you love drawing tiny, precise details, nothing else really competes at this tip size.

Tube Squeezer

Not every viral supply is glamorous. This one is a large metal tube squeezer for paint tubes, essentially an oversized version of a toothpaste squeezer. It clamps onto a tube, and as you twist the handle it steadily forces paint toward the opening. It even makes a satisfying ratcheting sound before you start painting.

The final result is exactly what you want: it squeezes out every single drop of paint. Since paint is not cheap, recovering every last bit from a tube can make this tool pay for itself over time, especially if you paint frequently. The one downside is that it takes some strength and is a bit tough to maneuver. Raw hand strength aside, it works as advertised and earns its place on the desk.

SmootherPro Glitter Gel Pens

The most-viewed item of the bunch, at over 45 million views, is a glitter gel pen. The viral videos all show the pen under a bright direct light because that is the only way to capture how reflective the ink really is. The exact product is the SmootherPro glitter gel pen, which took some detective work since the videos only ever showed the tip.

Compared with a standard drugstore glitter gel pen, the difference is clear. Ordinary glitter pens rely on a single silver glitter that does not always match the ink color. The SmootherPro glitter matches or complements the ink color itself, creating a richer, almost 3D shimmering effect, and it stays more reflective from different angles.

For stationery lovers and anyone who adds sparkle to journals or finished art, these are an easy recommendation.

QoR Watercolor Ground

This single product was compelling enough to justify the whole testing session. Watercolor ground is a gel that lets you turn any non-paper surface into one that accepts watercolor. Apply it thick or thin, let it dry, and paint. The Daniel Smith version goes on smoothly, while the QoR Watercolor Ground is formulated to emulate cold-pressed paper, a favorite texture among watercolorists.

The QoR version dries with a texture that looks and feels remarkably like real paper. Painting on it works well, with one honest caveat: unlike true watercolor paper, the paint sits more on top of the surface rather than seeping in, so the behavior feels closer to working with gouache. Even so, it performed convincingly, and it can save real money and waste compared with buying specialty papers for every surface.

For anyone who has ever wanted to paint watercolor on wood, canvas, cardboard, or plain printer paper, this is the solution.

View more details for Daniel Smith Watercolor Ground

Buying Advice

If you paint regularly, the Paint Puck and the tube squeezer are practical upgrades that reduce mess and waste. For detailed illustrators, the Sakura Pigma Micron 005 has no real substitute. SmootherPro glitter pens are a fun, low-cost indulgence, and the QoR Watercolor Ground is the most transformative of the group if you want to paint watercolor on unconventional surfaces.

Conclusion

Viral popularity does not always mean quality, but in this case the hype mostly holds up. The brush cleaner, the ultra-fine fineliner, and the watercolor ground all delivered genuine improvements to a working art practice, and the glitter pens delivered exactly the sparkle they promised. Pick the one that matches how you actually make art.