Guide to Buying Art Supplies

This guide to buying art supplies is here to help you buy what you need to make art - without blowing your budget!

If you're a beginner, this guide will help you buy your first art supplies and get started. No more wandering the aisles of an art supply store feeling overwhelmed and confused! This guide will demystify art-making tools so that you know what to buy. Even if you're a more experienced artist, there's information here on various tools and products you might not have tried before.

This detailed guide provides insight into what supplies are available and how you can use them. Plus, you'll find information that can help you understand the various techniques involved for different media - from adding texture to acrylics to scraping watercolor paint, and more!

For each section below, you'll find clear advice that explains what to look for when buying specific art supplies for acrylics, watercolors, pastels, colored pencils, markers and stuff for your studio. (This guide will soon be updated to include even more media!)

Beyond the basics, buying art supplies really comes down to personal preference because each artist has his or her own unique style and favors certain techniques. This guide will give you information and recommendations about different products so that you can make an informed choice of what you'd like to try without overspending.

Markers

Colored Pencils

Tip for Beginners: There are lots of options for beginners with small budgets, so each section includes suggestions for the least expensive options. That way you can start making art without worrying about spending too much money—and if you discover that you love a certain media, you can pick up other supplies as you gain more experience.