This question comes up A LOT in art circles. It is also answered a lot. This post is to amass a little information for beginners or otherwise who are unsure of their options.
There are plenty of places to buy decent art supplies, but it all depends on your budget, your distance, what quality you need, what type of art supply you want, and what quantity you need, amongst other factors.
You will always get the answer from me: "Support your Local Art Store" first.
I am a big supporter of supporting local businesses. To find your local art store, do a google search of the term 'local art store'. It may take a bit of browsing but can be enlightening! You never know if you have one just 10 minutes away from you!
Local art stores often go above and beyond, because they love what they do: supplying art materials to artists.
Ok, now that I've interjected that (😉), I can tell you a few places online.
These are in no particular order.
In the US, Jerry's Artarama and Dick Blick are pretty standard places to get art supplies. You can get a variety of brands and qualities of art supplies from them. I tend to get my art supplies from them, whether it be paper, pencils, canvas, artist tape, paint, or conservation supplies. Cheapjoe's is another US based online art store.
There is Jackson's Art supply in the UK,
In store "Brick and Mortar" locations:
Joanns Fabrics and Crafts, Michaels, and a place called Benjamin Franklin all sell scholastic grade to studio grade art supplies. They don't often carry artist or professional grade art supplies, but they are great if you don't have a small local art supply near you.
I encourage you to use their coupons when buying anything, as the markup on products is heavy. A pad of Arches brand watercolor paper can cost $50 or so at a big box art store, but $30 at an online store. If you use a very good coupon, you can get a decent price for an artist brand pad of paper.
(I am unsure as to why people in artist circles don't use the tactic of using coupons in big box art stores.) Using coupons in big box art stores is great if:
- you need the art material immediately
- an online store doesn't ship to your location
- You want to test out an art supply before you use it, by either using their testing paper in the store or buying a few pencils or markers.
I don't personally use Hobby Lobby. I would rather not make comment on their store, but it is an option for you, if you would like to do your own research on their merchandise and products.
I hope this helps for those who are somewhat confused as to what to buy and where!
-JTP
