Buying Artists Materials - Support your local art shop

Introduction

Whilst the Internet is a cheaper location to buy art materials, your local art shop should always be your first port of call. In Stroud we have two art shops and the advice they provide is invaluable. You will also find other artists shopping there. Most shop owners also offer courses and with exhibition space, they even provide a place to sell your art.

Making the most of the Shop

The shop will provide details about the products they are selling and are often staffed by fellow artists. You will be able to compare products and you can try out products and see which suit. Something that you cannot do on the Internet.
Personally I have been able to test products by buying one of each of a product to compare their qualties and this has been invaluable in finding the right combination. It is amazing how much even coloured pencils differ between companies.

Finding Suppliers

If you are unfortunate enough to not have a local art shop, then it is worth talking to other artists who use similar techniques to you and find out their suppliers. Online forums can also be a source of this kind of information. Watch out for sites in other countries as you may have to pay import duty on top of the delivered prices. In the UK, sites delivering from the USA will attract import duty on top of the delivered price.

Watch out for products sold on auction sites as they maybe fake or of poor quality. Take notice of seller reviews and also send questions before making a purchase as this will gauge the seller.

Clubbing Together

Multiple artists working in the same media are also good candidates for ordering in bulk through a local shop or from a wholesaler if there is no shop. Artists groups should also be thinking about bulk savings.

Final Tips

Art shouldn't be a lonely pursuit, shops provide a good place to see other artists work, learn and experiment.