Maybe buying art supplies can seem like a simple enough task, but there are advantages to educating yourself before going out to drop a bundle of cash on art supplies.
Buy local first.
When you can it is best to buy your art supplies from an art supply store in person. This is the best way to really see paper textures, to be able to judge and compare paintbrush sizes or to just do some general comparison of prices and quality. You will also save yourself some money in shipping and handling costs by buying from your local art supply store in person.
Don't spend a lot of money!
If you are a beginning artist, don’t spend a lot of money on top quality paint, canvas, brushes or paper. Ideally, one must create a lot of bad art before the good stuff starts. I’m not trying to rain on your artistic parade, but not everything you make is worth keeping. Start with an inexpensive student grade paint and use newsprint to draw on.
What about buying art supplies via the Internet?
If you have to buy art supplies on the internet, let the buyer beware. Typical large art supply stores like Pearl Paint or Dick Blick will have part of your order unavailable or on back order. When the art item comes in they will ship it separately, therefore charging you double on shipping. Art supply stores will not call you to advise you as to whether you want to pay the extra shipping or not. These art supply stores have your credit card number and they’re not afraid to use it. When your internet art supply order is delivered, go through your invoice with a fine-toothed comb. If there are any art supplies on backorder, call the art supply company and cancel the order immediately.
So the first choice in buying art supplies is to go to your local independently owned and operated art supply store. Second choice is the chain art supply store such as Pearl Paint, and third choice is internet art supply buying.
The benefits of buying art supplies online?
There are advantages to buying art supplies via internet. You don’t have to spend gas money to drive to the store, and you can pool orders among several other artists to share the cost of buying paper in bulk, for example.
If there is one particular art supply you are looking for consider using froogle.com as this search engine related to google will comparison shop for you. Also, consider making a small purchase from an art supply company to test the waters before you call in the big money order. Good luck, and good art to you!
