Buying Art Materials

Episode 31: Where do you buy your art materials? From super art stores to small interdependent shops, Laura and Peter share where they get their art materials and, more importantly, why.

What is important when buying art materials?  Is it the price, is it the service, is it the quality of the materials themselves? 

In this episode

Peter and Laura discus the range of options available to artist when considering purchasing art materials. From the big online shops to the small high-street independents , they talk about the benefits from buying from larger companies but also the special relationship you could build from purchasing directly from suppliers.

The Useful Stuff

1.     It pays to be organised; keep an eye on your art supplies and keep a shopping list so that you can bulk order and save on postage. You’ll also avoid getting caught short of something essential. Factor in extra time for anything that needs to be ordered specially.

2.     Sign up to emails from regular suppliers so you can take advantage of sales, special offers and free delivery offers. Check out ‘voucher code’ and the name of your store when ordering online: you may be lucky!

3.     The big art suppliers are useful for basics, but think laterally too. Laura saves money by buying her newsprint paper by the kilo from a removal company rather than as an art material from an art shop.

4.     Sometimes paying a little extra to visit a shop and get hands on with art supplies is the best approach, especially if you are investing in tools or specialist papers etc. Trying before you buy will save making expensive online mistake.

5.     Foster relationships with specialist shops or deal directly with suppliers in your field. Their depth of knowledge and ability to source unusual tools or papers for you will be invaluable. A good working relationship with your specialist supplier is a win-win: you support a business that supports your art and everyone benefits.

6.     Quality costs extra, but it pays dividends. Your client may not understand about the quality of your materials, but they will recognise the excellence of the result. You in turn can rest easy knowing that they are buying a durable artwork made with the appropriate tools and quality materials.

The Takeaway

Think carefully about where you shop and remember it’s not always about saving money. A good relationship with a specialist supplier may cost a little more, but will benefit you in many other ways.