Ever felt overwhelmed staring at a computer screen, trying to pick the perfect set of paints or brushes online? It’s like walking into a giant, digital art store with no map! Finding the right online art supply shop can feel like a treasure hunt where you aren’t sure if you’ll find treasure or just junk.
It’s tough because you can’t actually touch the paper or smell the fresh oil paints before you buy. You worry about shipping costs, slow delivery, and whether the colors you see on your screen match the real thing. These little worries can stop your creative flow before it even starts!
Don’t let online shopping stress you out. This post cuts through the noise. We will show you exactly what to look for, what questions to ask, and how to find the online store that feels just right for your projects. Get ready to stock your digital cart with confidence!
Top Online Art Supply Store Recommendations
- ✅Complete Artist Drawing Set with Sketchpad. Which contains 1 sketchbook, 12 water-soluble colored pencils, 12 metallic pencils, 12 oil-based colored pencils, 12 graphite pencils, 9 black charcoal pencils, 3 highlight white charcoal pencils, 1 eraser pencil--create precision and fine details, 3 blending paper stumps，1 water brush pen and other drawing stuff. Helping you easily creating beautiful works.
- ✅Premium 8x11 inches Sketchbook.This drawing pad has 3 popular color paper-40 pages white, 10 pages toned tan, 10 pages black - which makes your drawings pop and vibrant, bringing more "life" and richness to your work! Do you want to have a try?
- ✅Artist Qualities. Wide range of bright and vibrant colors with silky-smooth touch allow you to add depth to your masterpiece, these eco-friendly non-toxic art pencils perfect for shading, blending, layering, drawing, sketching and adult coloring books.
- ✅Zip-up Nylon Case with Gift box. All these come carefully arranged in a portable, travel-friendly organizer and providing proper storage. It is an ideal gift with beautiful box for boys, girls, students, beginners, teens or kids.
- ✅Online Video Tutorial Series. The highly structured learning system will take you to handle the basics of sketching and develop your drawing skills. Brings you a unique comprehensive guide, allowing you to start your first step in the art world.
- Scobie, Lorna (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 352 Pages - 10/17/2017 (Publication Date) - Quadrille (Publisher)
- MADE TO MAKE IT EASY Ultimate drawing set in robust, good-looking, zipper case; unfolds into organized sections which stand up for simple selection; carry-anywhere functionality.
- TOTALLY ALL YOU NEED Curated by in-house artists for sketchers both seasoned and starting. Graphite, charcoal and pastel pencils; charcoal and graphite sticks, blenders and tools… all to push your creative boundaries.
- A JOY TO USE Balanced and shaped to hold and control; premium quality for smooth, application; reliable performance from non-splinter wood, break-defying leads; blender to explore techniques.
- GUIDE TO BUILD YOUR SKILLS Detailed, easy-to-follow 20-page book crammed with demos and tips to make the most of the art supplies plus. Fold-out tutorial to create drawing using different techniques and media.
- TESTED AND TRUSTED BY ARTISTS – Developed and approved by our in-house artists to ensure consistently great results. Trusted by over 3.5 million artists worldwide.
- 【Amazing Gift for Kids Girls Boys】This coloring art set is highly recommend to children above 3 years and wish to learn creative art work. Art supplies including sketch pad, watercolors markers, crayons, colorful pencils, oil pastels, pallets and paint pens for painting & drawing, child easy to grab his online art classes, brings out the creative genius, hide art kit in a drawer for holiday, birthday, Christmas gift when kids visit, also a nice and great school supplies
- 【Budding & Prefession Artists Dream Come True】This painting drawing art set, 24 oil pastels, 28 colorful pencils, 20 watercolor markers, 24 paint tubes, 24 solid paints, 6 camouflage crayons, 2 petal palettes, 1 rectangle palette , 4 brushes, 2 eraser, 2 Sketch pencil, 1 sharpener, 1 sketch pad, 1coloring book. The Art case with metal trim is a wonderful gift to artists of all ages, even an adult, as there's so much to work with and start to explore the different kinds of artistic work
- 【Deluxe and Beautiful Art Kit】 This arts & crafts kit packed in a gorgeous, sturdy art case, has two layers, impressive looking and lots of great colorings. The clasps and rectangular case makes art kit much easier to keep supplies organized. If you are taking a camping trip, take art kit along will be perfect. All your child will need is some water and sketch pads for hours of entertainment. The neat case makes the art set perfect for the back seat or a relative's home
- 【Not Only Drawing Set】It's an amazing art crafts! This drawing kit is pretty fancy, heavy duty, each side has a pull up part to reveal more drawing items underneath, lots of pre-sharpened colored pencils, watercolor cake, flower shaped palette; The second layers has markers, and pastel crayons. Perfect painting fun school supplies for teens, encourages kids to be creative and artsy. Art case can be reused once all the art sets are done with in many years
- 【Sure to be a Hit】Made of eco-friendly materials, non-toxic, conforms to ASTM 963. All of the art supplies come inside a art suitcase, looks cute and feels nice to touch. The case opens easily showcasing some art supplies, the arms extending up to show inside level with more pieces of the art set. A gift to budding Artists, boys, girls, teen, kids, children, grandchildren and nephew ages 3 to 12 for birthday, holiday, school, Christmas present, to yourself to just play around and relax
- 12 CRAYOLA MARKERS: 12 dazzling Crayola Broad Line Markers to ignite your artistry & celebrate your chromatic flair!
- BROAD LINE MARKERS: Boldly craft powerful expressions, master shading & layering, & explore boundless creativity.
- WASHABLE FORMULA: Fear stains no more! Ultra Clean Washable Markers wash easily from skin, clothes, & surfaces.
- INSPIRE CREATIVITY: Provide countless hours of enchanting artistry for kids and trusty coloring buddies for parents.
- ESSENTIAL SCHOOL SUPPLIES: Embark on an epic back-to-school journey with versatile Crayola markers for notes, projects & artistic feats!
- CRAYOLA RETRACTABLE MARKERS: Includes 10 Retractable Crayola Markers in assorted colors. (Additional colors and shades are available in the 20ct set (sold separately)).
- WASHABLE MARKERS: Crayola Washable Markers for kids feature a nontoxic formula that's washable from skin and most washable clothing.
- EASTER BASKET ESSENTIAL: A colorful Easter basket essential that makes the perfect Easter basket stuffer or spring craft gift, adding creative Crayola fun to any Easter celebration all year long.
- VALENTINE’S DAY CARD-MAKING SUPPLIES: A colorful pick for crafting homemade valentines—great for classroom exchange prep, decorating cards, and adding bright details to heartfelt messages.
- ART SUPPLIES FOR KIDS: These vibrant markers are perfect for classroom activities, art projects, and coloring books. Great for teachers and kids enhancing their art supplies.
- FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND COLOR PALETTE – Discover 72 muted and moody shades in a captivating collection exclusively from Castle Arts.
- THE MISSING LINK IN YOUR COLLECTION – Versatile shades carefully selected to complement any pencil set and fill the gaps in your palette.
- ULTRA-SMOOTH WAX CORES – Enjoy smooth application, effortless blending, and incredible vibrancy across a variety of surfaces.
- DEVELOP YOUR SKILLS – Discover step-by-step tutorials and coloring tips included with the set. Recreate the 'Queen of Harmony' illustration on the tin and explore three more projects to inspire your creativity.
- TESTED AND TRUSTED BY ARTISTS – Developed and approved by our in-house artists to ensure consistently great results. Trusted by over 3.5 million artists worldwide.
- Made to make the job easier. Unparalleled range of 120 pencils arranged in color families; named, numbered and color-coded for foolproof selection: simply flip between layers of the protective zippered fabric case.
- SOFT YET DURABLE - The latest formulation advanced by in-house artists and technicians results in cores with a soft, buttery layout that also defies crumbling under pressure and maintains their point.
- A pleasure to use: intensely pigmented, rich, creamy colors for smooth coverage and effortless layering, blending and browning to add texture and achieve the perfect shade - on paper, eggshell, canvas, wood and more.
- Build your skills: the unique fold-out tutorial enables you to refine your colored pencil skills by re-creating the stunning galleon illustration on the sleeve cover.
- Tested, trusted and guaranteed by our studio experts to beat competitors. TRUSTED BY ULTIMATE JUDGES - Our 2.5 million customers worldwide; backed by a more unique money back guarantee.
The Ultimate Buying Guide for Your Online Art Supply Store
Buying art supplies online offers a huge selection. It can feel overwhelming, though! This guide helps you find the perfect tools for your next masterpiece. We focus on what matters most when shopping from an online art store.
Key Features to Look for in an Online Art Store
A good online store makes shopping easy and reliable. Look for these important features:
1. Wide Selection and Variety
- Brand Availability: Does the store carry brands you trust? Big names and smaller, specialty brands are good signs.
- Medium Coverage: Check if they stock supplies for drawing, painting, sculpting, and digital art.
- Student vs. Professional Grades: Ensure they offer different quality levels. Student grades cost less; professional grades offer the best performance.
2. Clear Product Information
Since you cannot touch the items, descriptions must be excellent. Look for:
- Detailed Specs: Pigment load, lightfastness ratings (how long the color lasts), and material composition should be listed.
- High-Quality Photos: Images should show true colors and packaging clearly.
3. Shipping and Returns Policy
Fragile items like paints and mediums need safe shipping. Check their policy on damaged goods. A store with easy returns builds trust.
Important Materials: What to Prioritize
The materials you choose directly affect your art. Focus on these areas:
Paints and Pigments
Paints come in oil, acrylic, and watercolor. Always check the pigment rating.
- Lightfastness: This rating shows how well the color resists fading from light. Look for ASTM I or II ratings for permanent artwork.
- Binder Quality: For acrylics, a higher percentage of pure acrylic polymer means better adhesion and color strength.
Surfaces and Supports
Your surface needs to handle your medium.
- Canvas: Look for triple-primed cotton or linen. Priming prevents paint from soaking into the fabric.
- Paper: Watercolor paper should be at least 140 lb (300 gsm) weight. Drawing paper quality depends on the tooth (texture).
Tools and Brushes
Good brushes last longer and apply paint better.
- Brush Hair: Synthetic brushes are great for acrylics and beginners. Natural hair (like sable) offers superior blending for oils and watercolors.
- Ferrule Strength: The metal part holding the bristles must be secure.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Online stores usually separate supplies into two groups, which affects cost and results.
Factors That Improve Quality (Professional Grade)
- Higher Pigment Load: More pure color means brighter, richer results.
- Archival Materials: Acid-free paper and materials certified for long life ensure your art lasts for generations.
- Smooth Consistency: High-quality mediums mix easily and apply evenly without clumping.
Factors That Reduce Quality (Student Grade)
- Fillers: Cheaper paints use chalk or other materials to bulk up the volume instead of pure pigment. This makes colors duller.
- Weak Adhesives: Low-quality glues or binders in paper or canvas can cause cracking or peeling over time.
User Experience and Use Cases
Think about who you are as an artist when shopping online.
For Beginners and Students
You need value. Look for starter sets or bulk packs of student-grade materials. An excellent online store offers helpful tutorials or “Getting Started” guides. Digital art users need clarity on software compatibility.
For Professional Artists
You need specialized, archival products. The store must stock specific sizes, rare colors, and professional tools. Fast restocking services are crucial because professionals use supplies quickly.
Overall, a great online art supply store acts as your physical studio shelf. It offers variety, quality assurance, and transparent information.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Buying Art Supplies Online
Q: How do I know the paint color online is true to life?
A: You cannot be 100% sure due to screen differences. Look for reviews that mention color accuracy. Professional stores often provide color charts specific to their lighting conditions.
Q: Should I buy student or professional grade paint first?
A: Beginners should start with student grade to practice techniques without high cost. When you notice your current supplies limit your results, switch to professional grade.
Q: What is ‘Gesso’ and do I need it?
A: Gesso is a primer. Yes, you need it! It prepares surfaces like canvas or wood so paint sticks properly and doesn’t bleed through.
Q: How long does it take for art supplies to ship?
A: Standard shipping usually takes 3 to 7 business days. Expedited options are usually available if you need supplies quickly for a project.
Q: Are brushes sold online usually pre-shaped?
A: Yes, brushes are sold shaped (e.g., round, flat, filbert). Some stores sell “stiff” brushes that need to be conditioned before first use.
Q: What is the best way to store oil paints once they arrive?
A: Store oil paints in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Keep the caps tightly sealed to prevent the solvents from evaporating.
Q: Can I return opened tubes of paint if I don’t like the color?
A: Most stores will not accept returns on opened paint or used paper due to contamination risks. Check their specific return policy before purchasing.
Q: How do I find lightfastness ratings easily?
A: Reputable brands include ASTM ratings (I, II, or III) directly on the tube label or in the online product description.
Q: Do online stores sell better deals than local shops?
A: Often, yes. Online stores have lower overhead costs, allowing them to offer competitive prices, especially on bulk orders.
Q: What if my glass palette arrives broken?
A: If the packaging is visibly damaged upon arrival, document it with photos immediately. Contact the store’s customer service right away to start a damage claim for a replacement.