I get it. 

Supplies are expensive. You think you're afraid to waste them.

But that's just an excuse.

What you're really afraid of is that as a new artist (or an old one for that matter) is that what you produce with these expensive supplies won't be worthy of the price you paid for them. 

You feel like these supplies are demanding that you be great right out of the gate because they're so pricey. 

Suck it up buttercup. That's not how any of this works.

You were worthy the minute you picked up that pencil or paintbrush. And the price of your supplies had nothing to do with it. We are all creative beings in one way or another and it's our obligation to follow that creative urge. 

So what if your painting doesn't come out exactly as planned. That's not a waste. That's valuable experience you'll carry over to the next painting. Each painting is just a stepping stone to becoming the artist you want to be.  

Do you know what real waste is? Letting those shiny new paints and papers collect dust until they dry up, turn yellow and disintegrate. 

Now that's a REAL waste.

Get to painting. Use up all those supplies and then buy some more and use those up.

You'll be happy you did.