After you decide to unleash your inner artist, it’s time to start putting together your shopping list. If you’re like most people, you’ll choose online stores over those local to you because of the wider variety of products and convenience they offer.
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Soon, however, you’ll see that the number of online art supply stores and possibilities might seem overwhelming. Here’s everything you need to know about finding the best online art supply store.
Step 1: Make a list
Before you pick your best online art supply store, you need to create a list of products you want to buy. If you’re a beginner, the basic supplies will remain the same, no matter the type of art you’re interested in.
A first-time artist’s shopping list should include:
- Sketchbooks
- Pencils
- Pens
- Kneaded erasers
- Pencil sharpener
- Rulers
- Watercolor or acrylic paint set
- Paintbrushes
- Paper or canvas
- Paint palette
It’s worth mentioning that even though you might already own some of those supplies, such as pens and pencils, chances are, they’re not meant for art. And while it won’t affect your experience in any significant way, it’s always a good idea to shop specifically for supplies intended for artists and not the office.
Step 2: Find your best online art supply store
The internet is a huge place, and there are many art supplies stores available to you. From websites such as Amazon and eBay to more niched-down stores that exclusively offer art supplies, there’s been a long debate to determine what the best online art supply store is, and the veterans of the art would have found clear favorites.
5 places to buy the best art supplies online
Step 3: Beware of the red flags
If you want to buy the best art supplies online, you need to look out for the red flags common in online shopping, especially in a market as big as art supplies.
- Promoted products. Many brands pay online stores to promote their products and appear at the top of the results. While this doesn’t necessarily mean they’re bad, it pays off to check whether the product you’re interested in is being promoted.
- Some online stores, particularly smaller brands, put fictional ratings and reviews next to some products. Unless you’re buying your art supplies through a known website, make sure to fact-check the reviews in other online stores.
- Return and refund policy. In very rare cases, your art supplies might come damaged or not quite as you imagined. It’s perfectly normal when you shop online, and most brands will have you covered if it happens to you, though some websites still don’t offer such a guarantee.
Step 4: Let the fun begin
Art is a form of expression, but, most importantly, it’s supposed to be fun. So, once the package arrives at your doorstep, rip it open and let your creativity roam free. When you’re faced with the canvas, all limits disappear, so don’t be afraid to go crazy when you feel like it.
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